#82418 - 09/22/09 01:15 PM
Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
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Anastaplo
Junior Member
Registered: 09/22/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Chicago, IL, USA
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Hi, everyone. Sorry this is so long, and also pertains to more islands than just Tahiti, but I was not sure where to post instead. And when I "Preview" this, it appears to be one huge paragraph - I hope that's not how it looks when you read it.
Anyway, here goes....
My mother (age 83) wants to go to Tahiti and FP, and has never been. My husband and I (ages 46-47) are taking her (we've also never been!) - shooting for mid-May 2010 (traveling from LAX). We have been discussing islands and where to stay. She would like to stay at pensions, when possible. We'd like clean places, with friendly owners/managers, and we'd like 2 separate bedrooms (either 2 different rooms, or a bungalow with more than one room), with kitchen facilities available, when possible. My mother is a great traveler - she reads up on the places before going, and loves to see things - but she is 83 and she does walk VERY slowly. We won't be diving or snorkeling, but we'll probably swim some, and take tours to see things.
From reading and talking with her about what she wants, I've put together the following possible itinerary. If someone could let me know where or how it looks like it won't work, I'd be SO grateful. The longer-than-usual stay on Tahiti is partly from general interest, and partly because I nearly always get migraines when I travel so I am planning on "losing" a couple of days on the front end while I adjust.
I am sort of wondering whether to cut one island out of this itinerary - so if you have a suggestion about that, I'd love to hear it.
Thank you so much! Again, sorry this is SOOO long!!
Fly to Pape'ete from LAX
3 nights in Tahiti, at Taaroa Lodge, if possible (breakfast included)
(alternatives: Ahitea Lodge, or Fare Suisse)
Ferry to Mo'orea
3 nights in Mo'orea at Pension Motu Iti (bungalow)
(alternatives: Tarariki Village, or Les Tipaniers Hotel, or Tapu Lodge)
Fly to Bora Bora
2 nights at Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort
(alternatives: Village Temanuata, or Blue Island Heaven)
Maupiti Express 2 to Maupiti
2 nights at Tautiare Village in Maupiti (half-board included
Travel to Huahine (through Bora Bora, if necessary)
3 nights in Huahine at Pension Fare Maeva
(alternatives: Rande’s Shack, or Pension Tupuna)
Back to Pape'ete; back to LAX
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#82420 - 09/22/09 01:51 PM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: Anastaplo]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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My comments (I'll only comment on my experiences).
Moorea--I think Pension Motu Iti is a very good choice for you and your Mom. Everything is close together (and you could even request a bungalow closest to the main building & restaurant to limit the distance she has to walk). The snorkelling (for you), kayaking, etc. is fantastic. One drawback to this place is far from everything by walking (other than Aito's next door), but since you will be taking a tour somewhere, that eliminates that problem.
Huahine:
I don't know Pension Fare Maeva, but I suspect she wouldn't enjoy Rande's Shack the way we did. The bungalows aren't right on the water so if she wants to sit by the water, it's a bit of a walk for someone who walks slowly. The walk down to the water is down a bit of a hill as well. And walking or biking into town would be impossible for her (Rande could arrange for someone to drive her for a fee, though...or you could rent a car). So if you can find something right in Fare, I think you/she would be happier.
And, by the way, I think 2 nights at any one place is a really bad idea (and especially bad for your Mom). Please reconsider and do a minimum of 3 nights per place (even if you have to delete an island or more...I'd get rid of Maupiti myself). We like to spend a minimum of 5 nights on each island in FP so we can settle in, explore, and not feel rushed.
Edited by Old Wife (09/22/09 01:52 PM)
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#82421 - 09/22/09 02:13 PM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: Old Wife]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1243
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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Good advice, Old Wife, especially the the minimum nights stay. I'd go for at least 5 nights, especially if you need to move an immobile guest around FP. Keep it simple, keep it close to the water, and keep it FP. You'll be back. Just my 2 cents worth, but definitely not gospel. Good on you for fulfilling a life long dream for your Mom.
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#82422 - 09/22/09 04:03 PM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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Anastaplo
Junior Member
Registered: 09/22/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Chicago, IL, USA
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Thank you!! This is exactly the kind of feedback I need. I confess to feeling relief at the idea of trimming off at least one island and slowing this trip down a bit (or a lot). I thought Maupiti looked sort of like Bora Bora as it used to be, from the description, but I'm fine with letting it go and spending less time racing around.
In case it helps anyone, here is the description for Pension Fare Maeva in Huahine, from Lonely Planet: "On a coral rock beach (not good for swimming), this place has 10 pleasant, well-kept bungalows sleeping two to four people, all with kitchens, private bathrooms (hot water) and mosquito screens. New rooms, under construction at the time of this writing, will be smaller, less expensive versions of the bungalows. There's a room-plus-car deal of 12,000 CFP (plus taxes) per day for two people. The good Restaurant Tehina is here around the small pool."
So, that is a possibility for Huahine. Now that I am looking at materials again, another good pick appears to be Pension Meherio.
Any more comments will be most gratefully received. THANK YOU again for your replies so far, Old Wife and Gary & Cath!
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#82423 - 09/22/09 05:38 PM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: Anastaplo]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2365
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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I would skip Maupiti because the boat there is called the "Vomit Express". I don't know if it always is, but.....As far as Huahine goes, I have seen Fare Maeva and people do love it, but I wasn't that thrilled with it. The reef comes up very, very close to the land. , but it isn't as pretty to look at the water, I feel. Pension Tupana is very isolated and down a huge, huge hill. I don't know where they park, so I don't know what it would be like. I don't know where Pension Mehirio is, so I have never seen it that I know of. Although you are not on the beautiful water, we like Villas Bougainville. The Maroe Bay is right across a little street and you do have a view of the "mountains". You get a car and a boat. I know you probably would not use the boat, but it is very clean with a nice terrace to look at the water. And he has a choice of bedrooms. We think Raphael the owner is fabulous! He is very excellent with his own elderly parents, although his English is not that good. I bring a dictionary and write down things if I feel it is important not to be misunderstood. With the car, you can drive all over the island to enjoy it. The kitchen has everything and there is also a washing machine. There is fruit on the property that you can pick. And with the car, you can drive to the well-stocked grocery store in town "Fare". You can drive to places to swim and I would recommend Relais Mahana as the best place to swim. There is a beautiful beach in Fare, but it is hard to walk to for an elderly person, although it's along the sand and a path. The water is exquisite. Next to Relais Mahana is Chez Tara which has a traditional Polynesian meal (all you can eat) on Sundays. Have a wonderful time.
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#82424 - 09/22/09 06:16 PM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: holte]
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Silvanocat
Advisor
Registered: 04/03/04
Posts: 696
Loc: Los Angeles
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My concern re: Moorea and the Pension Motu Iti is that it's very cramped together if you are not going to be kayaking.
I would choose for Mom, Club Bali Hai http://www.clubbalihai.com/ with it's billion dollar views, nice lawn, pool, and lobby area to hang out. Mom could also take a short stroll perhaps to a nearby shop or restaurant.
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#82425 - 09/22/09 07:58 PM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: Silvanocat]
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vaitape
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/09/02
Posts: 1301
Loc: socal
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I ditto Club Bali Hai or Les Tips for Moorea.
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#82429 - 09/23/09 05:59 AM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: vaitape]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Yes, Club Bali Hai is very pretty (especially if you're going to be right on the lagoon on another island...I wouldn't go only to Club Bali Hai if you weren't since you'd miss out on lagoon views). It is more spread out, though, so if your Mom's mobility issues are what I think they are, she might find it tiring getting around. That's why I thought Pension Motu Iti would be better for her (there are minimal steps between the bungalows, main building & restaurant).
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#82430 - 09/23/09 08:08 AM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: Old Wife]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6042
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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I agree that your mom would be very comfortable at Club Bali Hai.
I also agree that you should skip Maupiti completely. The ferry ride is VERY rough, and there is not much to see and do. The pensions there are very basic; I don't think it would be a comfortable place for an elderly person.
You may also not need 3 nights on Tahiti;I would deduct one night from Tahiti and add it to Moorea. Then use the Maupiti time on Bora Bora instead. Too much moving around too soon will make you ALL very tired!
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#82431 - 09/23/09 08:13 AM
Re: Help for first-timer traveling with elderly person?
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6042
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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By the way, WELCOME to the T-E forum!
Another thought: If your mom is not comfortable going up and down steep stairs, you may want to contact Air Tahiti Nui (or Air France, whichever airline you are flying internationally) and let them know that she needs a "lift" out of and into the plane in Papeete. There is no jetway when you arrive and depart, and you must walk across the tarmac and climb two sets of stairs into and out of the plane in PPT. They can arrange to "lift" her in and out via the food service cart elevator truck.
The interisland flights have stairs into the plane too, but not as steep or high as ATN and AF.
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