#71459 - 03/27/08 09:29 PM
Dream vacation??? many questions
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HDeare
Junior Member
Registered: 03/27/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Austin, TX USA
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Thanks for all the great information. With all the differing opinions re: accomodations, transportation, language issues and the high costs, I am having second thoughts about this trip planned June 29-July 14. We have a basic itinerary mapped out but no reservations. Trip looks like this:
Tahiti Iti 3 nights, 2 days, ferry to Moorea 3 nights, 2 days, fly to Maupiti 4 nights 3 days, fly to Bora Bora 3 nights 2 days, fly back to Papeete to stay 1 night before returning to the US. Is this too much? Not enough?
We are not high-end resort people but like clean & comfortable with some amenities. We like to visit more locally, eat, drink and snorkel (not always in that order) and are looking forward to relaxing and unwinding. Have some places in mind with the help of this forum; Moorea Fare Miti, Pension Rose Des Iles but don't speak French though I am willing to try.
Am captivated by the OWBs but being practical might rather spend the dollars on something more permanent- like pearls! Does it make any sense to get a less expensive bungalow or room at a nicer place then a mediocre OWB?
Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated. You have the knowledge! Thanks.
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#71467 - 03/28/08 06:42 AM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: HDeare]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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I've stayed in both high-end OWBs and a much lower accommodations (a cottage in someone's backyard & a thatched hut with no hot water or electricity--though that was romantic!). If it were me, I'd spend 2 nights in an OWB if I could afford it, preferable on Bora Bora since the lagoon is so beautiful there, and then spend the rest of the time far more budget and save my money for pearls, excursions, longer staying time and the ability to come back again! If you don't want to spend that money on an OWB on Bora Bora at a big resort, see if there's a cheaper option (I'm thinking, for instance, of Club Bali Hai on Moorea).
Me, I'd rather not spend so much time on Tahiti, but others here have really enjoyed it. I'd add more time to Moorea since it's one of my favourite islands. I'm not sure about Maupiti, but you won't need much, if any, French on Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora (though it's certainly easier at times if you do speak French because some people you encounter won't speak English). I haven't been to Maupiti, but I expect most pension owners there have rudimentary English at least.
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#71469 - 03/28/08 09:22 AM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: Old Wife]
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ryo-oh-ki
Member
Registered: 01/27/08
Posts: 109
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Your tentative itinerary is taking you all over the place. It takes a life time to see all of Tahiti, pace yourself. I'd say drop either Moorea or Bora Bora and then extend your stay among the remaining islands. Two days on either Moorea and Bora Bora does not give you much time for activities, sight seeing, personal exploration, etc.
Overwater bungalows: There are good overwater bungalows and then there are bad overwater bungalows. Be careful, ask if a particular resorts overwaters are worth the splurge. Else, choose a different resort, or get a beach bungalow.
Four nights in Maupiti, or any other destination that is the middle of no where. We have not been to Maupiti, but I'm guessing this is relaxation part of your trip. Don't change this.
Tahiti is Oahu in French. Tahiti is pretty busy and is not a relaxing sort of place. Too much to do, too much to see, too much to experience. Not a honeymoon destination. And thus, for honeymooners, Tahiti is merely an overnight layover.
That said, you might want conclude your trip in Papeete, Tahiti with a three night stay. The plan: you begin your trip absorbing everything that is French Polynesia. Lean the culture, check out the gift shops, understand the economy, get into the Tahitian state of mind. I read else where that that souvenirs prices (including the pearls) are cheapest,"cheap" is a relative term, in Tahiti. Thus when you arrive back in Papeete, you'll have a good idea of what you're shopping for. Less junk(souvenirs) you're lugging around from island to island. And hopefully save some money.
_________________________
Tahiti Check List
x Manihi (12/2006)
x Moorea (1/2007)
_ Tahaa
_ Rangiroa
_ Tikehau
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#71473 - 03/28/08 10:12 AM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: Old Wife]
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HDeare
Junior Member
Registered: 03/27/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Austin, TX USA
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Old wife,
Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I am confused though-isn't Tahiti Iti different than Tahiti. The map shows its below Tahiti Nui.
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#71474 - 03/28/08 10:37 AM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: HDeare]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Tahiti is one island made of two sections, Iti (small) and Nui (big). Tahiti Iti does have a more natural feel with some things to do, but not many people here spend more than a day there.
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#71475 - 03/28/08 10:53 AM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: ryo-oh-ki]
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HDeare
Junior Member
Registered: 03/27/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Austin, TX USA
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Thanks ryo-oh-ki.
Sounds like you think we are doing too much island hopping! I don't see many posts about Maupiti. Any reason? Old wife suggests cutting down time in Tahiti Iti, increasing Moorea, spending less time in Maupiti. We thought we could save some money by staying at smaller budget type places. What's your take?
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#71476 - 03/28/08 11:42 AM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: HDeare]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1376
Loc: Florida
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Hi HDeare,
I think you will find pretty varied opinions as to what is a good length of time to stay on an island and what is too much island-hopping but with all things considered, it is many times really more a matter of personal preference. Personally, I would prefer to stay 4 nights minimum on most islands but I have and still do occasionally spend 3 nights on an island. I am not bothered by a couple of flights during a 2 week trip but each person is different. Some even prefer to stay for a week at a time on each island. If you are the type of person who gets bored sitting around, seeing the same scenery then consider visiting a few different islands.
I guess I am one of the few who likes to spend some time on Tahiti island but it is certainly very different than the other islands- it is more crowded (although still comparatively uncrowded compared to many places) and lacks the incredible lagoons you see on the other islands. I typically spend 3 nights at the beginning of my trip on Tahiti island to help ease me into FP. I get a chance to see different sights around the island and do some shopping before heading off for my true relaxation. Tahiti iti is very nice but unless you are a surfer, it's a bit inconvenient to town and sight-seeing. You really would need a car if you planned on getting out anywhere from Tahiti iti.
As far as Maupiti is concerned, not as many people on the board have visited there but there are a few fairly recent trip reports where you can find some information about the island. It is easily accessible from Bora Bora and therefore not much of a hop to head there from Bora or to Bora from there.
I don't know that it is necessary to spend an extra night back in PPT at the end of the trip if you stay 3 nights before the trip.
If I could offer my opinion, unless you are a surfer, I would spend 2 or 3 nights closer to PPT in the beginning and then do 4 nights Moorea, 3/4 nights Maupiti, 3/4 nights Bora Bora if those are your choice of islands. There is less to do on Maupiti so if you had to spend 3 nights on one place, that would probably be my choice unless you really just wanted to lie on the beach all day. If you are not hung up on Maupiti, I would take a look at Huahine - there are a number of inexpensive places to stay, the island is beautiful, uncrowded but still has a few things to do. Then, you could spend 4 nights there and cut Bora Bora to 3 nights.
As far as OWB are concerned, I think it is a great experience but shouldn't make or break your trip. If you can swing a couple of nights - great, if not, I wouldn't let it get you down. I would rather spend more time on the islands than less time in an OWB. You can be just as happy staying in a garden or on beach versus overwater. I actually prefer to stay in the garden or on the beach at some of the places I've stayed but many people associate OWB with French Polynesia and are going there at least partially for that experience. I do agree that Bora Bora is a good place to splurge for the OWB if you are going to do it as many consider that lagoon one of the best in FP.
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#71489 - 03/28/08 02:54 PM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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ryo-oh-ki
Member
Registered: 01/27/08
Posts: 109
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Old Wife: Thanks for the clarification on "Tahiti Iti". I was sort of confused myself. Is "Tahiti Iti" similar to Moorea?
My recommendations for HDeare: Drop only one island from your proposed itinerary. And then add/subtract days from the other islands based on how active, or inactive, you want to be at each location. You are planning for two weeks, so you have a lot more flexibility compared to a typical 7 night Tahiti/Bora Bora/Moorea packages.
I agree with Old Wife's recommendations. And on Maupiti, or any isolated destination for that matter, will definitely be based on personal preference. How much "nothing" can you handle?
Also, how much time do you need to unwind and ease in? And inversely how much time do you you think you'll need to ease out? A.k.a. the dreaded "back to reality" syndrome. Leaving paradise is never a fun experience.
Sorry I don't have anything to share when it comes to budget minded accommodation's. But I'm pretty sure there are others here that will chime in.
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#71492 - 03/28/08 04:27 PM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: ryo-oh-ki]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2417
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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It's really hard to judge what one may like, but here are my suggestions. Cut down your stay in Tahiti to one day (Tahiti Iti means little Tahiti and is not Moorea. Moorea is across the Sea of Moons-about 12 miles from Tahiti). I would also cut down the stay in Maupiti. Having never been there ,I do not know from personal experience, but a woman we met this year from New York went to Maupiti and she said that one day was enough for her there. As I trust her judgment, I pass that on to you. She loved Moorea, loved Huahine and loved staying in a very inexpensive pension in Bora Bora. With the elimination of days in Tahiti and Maupiti, I would add Huahine. There is Relais Mahana (not sure how cheap it is now with the recent remodel) which is on a beautiful beach and has great snorkeling or there is Rande's shack, which Old Wife has written about. We love the Villas Bougainville which comes with a car and a boat, but it is not on a beach, although it is across the street from the water. As for an OWB, it depends on how much of a dream that is for you. I would rather spend the money on excursions and other things. You will have spent less and have more money to return!
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#71496 - 03/28/08 07:48 PM
Re: Dream vacation??? many questions
[Re: holte]
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Suki (689)
Senior Advisor
Registered: 10/29/07
Posts: 920
Loc: ELA US of A
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stood at pension papahani JAN 2008 on the south motu 4 resorts facing the main island the land where the dogs outnumber the tourists on one of the motus you can wade across to the main island stunning my ##1 island until we get to FAKARAVA/raimiti the name of my unborn son enjoy da islansds too much flying takes away from da beauty we did tahiti 1 nt maupiti 2 nts bora 2 nts huahine 2 nts 1 day tahiti all you need is a delay and the hours not days melt away plus dont go in winter time still beautiful make sure you poST (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((fp4life))))))))))))))))))))))))
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