#87805 - 12/03/10 04:57 PM
Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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Left Sydney Sunday 14th November on time with no hassles for Auckland. Left Auckland for Papeete on time and arrived in Papeete 30 minutes early. Transfer to IC and checked in very fast into room 327. Nice room close to reception, which was good considering we were only there for 7hrs. Booked a taxi for the transfer the next morning via the Carrefour to stock up on supplies (managed to get a 5 litre cask of Tahiti Drink, Poehere) back to Faa'a for the flight out to Huahine the next day.
Flight on time and beautiful weather on Huahine. Transfer to the dock for the short boat ride to Te Tiare for the next 5 nights. Met Jacques at reception with a cool towel and mocktail then straight to our room after asking which room we had. We were told 31, so we asked if 39 or 40 were available. Jacques told us that they wanted to carry out some minor repairs to 40, but if we insisted, then he would take us there first to show us the faults. Some minor staining in the shower grout which we wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't pointed it out?? was all that was wrong, so we got 40. WOW, what a room! I can't believe it has taken us 6 visits to FP without coming to Huahine! Time to set up the Aussie "Booze Hound" bar (photo coming soon).
The stay here was incredible. Very nice staff at all levels. It has that family friendliness feel that Manihi Pearl has got. Food was incredible - spiney lobster and rack of lamb in particular and their Polynesian show was very good and professional. It was especially hilarious when a guest took a Hinano fuelled tumble backwards. We also had the honour and fortune of meeting Rudy and Inga (owner of Te Tiare). They are such a lovely down to earth couple. We had lunch with them on the second last day after our tour with Paul (talk about a full-on guide) which topped off our stay nicely. We found a coconut floating in the water which we turned into Wilson with my dive knife. We left Wilson outside Rudy and Inga's bungalow with a note thanking them for their hospitality. A gift from the taravana Aussies. They were blown away.
The weather there was the usual 15 minute storm each day except for one day when it rained most of the day. We took the opportunity to hire a car and drive around the island twice that day. What a beautiful island. The only down side was that I didn't dive there, as the dive operator's son had broken his arm the day before we got there and he was in Papeete hospital. Not really an issue for me because we just relaxed in our room on the massive deck and snorkelled off the room. Te Tiare is now near the top of our list to return.
Transferred back to the airport, when we found out that the plane had broken down and we had a 3hr wait for a replacement, so we arrived late on Bora Bora. We met a nice couple from San Francisco that were doing the same trip as us, except they were at St Regis on BB. It was interesting to hear their opinions and comparison between St Regis and Le Taha'a. They said that Le Taha'a left St Regis in its wake. There was the token private jet parked at BB airport when we landed - I wonder who was there?
Finally got to BB and transferred to Pearl and straight to our room POWB 15 (which we had requested) for our 5 night stay. Checked the shuttle timetable and went straight over to Vaitape for some shopping and supply top-up. We went straight to our favourite clothing shop - Pacific Sud in the corner arcade where the bus drop off is and picked some T shirts and gifts. The owner of the shop is Marama's wife. She recognised us and gave us an 800cpf discount! You know you've been to BB a lot when a local shop owner recognises you! Back to Chin Lee for stocks then over to the resort after a very long day.
Cath went straight into the water at dusk when a small black tip cruised under our room and past her with its fin out of the water. COOL! It left when I got in the water though. Pearl resort is as beautiful as ever - grounds are immaculate, food is great and the service is fast. We met up with Gilles from Blue Nui Dive at his house for pre dinner cocktails (these were deadly) and shouted Gilles for dinner for the Polynesian night. The show was again very good. Their coral garden is coming along nicely with a good variety of corals growing. The only downfall is that while the rooms are always clean and well positioned, by today's standard with all of the new resorts, they are a little small. Maybe a balcony extension like they have done at Le Meridien could be a good addition. The new stereo systems with the iPod dock are a great addition.
Diving is as good as ever at BB, however the outside reefs are pretty desolate after the cyclone, but good regrowth has already started. The lagoon diving is better than ever, especially Anau with most of the manta rays back (photos coming soon). We spent a day with an Aussie friend (Toby, who drives the 4X4 for Vavau Tours) that lives on Bora and got to have lunch at his adopted Tahitian family's home on a Motu with Arii's family. Plenty of lobster, plenty of Hinano's for Cath and plenty of Tahitian rum with Tahiti Drink for me. A great day out.
Flight to Raiatea was on time and Vaiarii was again there to greet us at the airport for the transfer to Le Taha'a. Arrived at reception and met by Christine again, who allowed us to go straight to our room and skip the resort rundown. Back to Sunset OWB 42 again for the next 6 nights. The room is still perfect, even more so now with the iPod stereo. Home for the next 6 nights.
In my opinion, Le Taha'a still has the best breakfast, the nicest restaurant and the nicest Polynesian feel. It just instills relaxation the moment you reach the dock. The next 6 days we had no tours booked, no diving booked and a couple of books to read, 6000 songs on the iPod and a truckload of Tahitian Rum and Tahiti Drink. We were set. We left some CD's at the front desk for Tavita which he liked last year while he tattooed me. We got a call from reception on the second night to tell us that Tavita was there so I ran up to greet my taravana friend. It was good to catch up. He is still as crazy as ever. The week flew by and before we knew it, we were back at IC Papeete.
After a swim during the day, a double cheeseburger from room service (highly recommended) and a good night's sleep we were back on the plane headed for home. Damn! All fights on time and another trip to paradise was over. Back in Sydney Thursday 2nd December. Better start working on that trip report when I get home.
During our trip we met couples from the US, a few from Canada (who weren't looking forward to the climate change upon returning home), a few couples from Belgium and England, but no other Aussies. All had very similar itineraries as us - Huahine, Bora Bora and Taha'a. Our friends from San Francisco particularly liked our Tahitian Mai Tai's. So overall, weather was great, food was great, resorts were beautiful and we met some really nice people. The collapsible cooler was a very handy travel companion and is already packed in my dive gear for next trip. A trip to remember.
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#87807 - 12/03/10 08:14 PM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2417
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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Great report!
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#87810 - 12/04/10 04:38 AM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: holte]
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DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1878
Loc: Denver, Co.
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Good job G&C. Sounds like you had a great trip.
_________________________
Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
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#87811 - 12/04/10 06:03 AM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: DenverJoe]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Great report. I felt like I was there with you. Too bad you missed out on diving on Huahine, but it's a beautiful island no matter what, isn't it?
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#87812 - 12/04/10 06:47 AM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: Old Wife]
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Eperera
Member
Registered: 09/25/05
Posts: 159
Loc: Durango, Colorado
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Very nice trip! We stayed in #40 at Te Tiare on our honeymoon almost 10 years ago. I still remember that room, especially its deck and stunning view- heaven! Tough to read this on a chilly December morning!!
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#87816 - 12/04/10 03:35 PM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: Eperera]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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Yeah Tracey. I can't believe it's taken us so long to finally get to Huahine. Tough call between Rangiroa and Te Tiare after the Aranui next trip. Now I've gotta start sorting through over 700 photos.
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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#87817 - 12/04/10 04:58 PM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: Gary & Cath]
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travelintom
Member
Registered: 05/06/04
Posts: 469
Loc: california
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lets keep Huahine a secret!!!!!
it's my favorite island
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#87818 - 12/04/10 05:57 PM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: travelintom]
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holte
Expert Advisor
Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 2417
Loc: Duluth, Minnesota
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I love my Shutterfly book that I got for some of my pics.
It's so much nicer than any photo album. I also have a digital frame that I thought I would love, but it's not that appealing after awhile.
I really like the hard bound book.
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#87823 - 12/05/10 05:17 AM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: holte]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Great report, G&C! Glad that you've finally discovered Huahine, and Te Tiare, in particular; it's one of my favorite resorts.
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#87865 - 12/09/10 10:44 AM
Re: Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a November 2010
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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waterbaby
Member
Registered: 01/30/08
Posts: 57
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Great report!
We loved Tahaa too. They definitely have the best breakfasts. Gorgeous bungalows. House keeping was impeccable. We got bungalow 29 at first at the end of a pier and it was perfect but due to the few passing storms they'd had the water was quite rough out that deep and we had to request a room change due to our daughter. That request was instantly granted to room 15 and before they would let us into the room they decorated this one with flowers as well.
After we stayed at the bora bora Nui. After staying at Le Tahaa the service here seemed abysmal. The room we had (103) was in rough shape but the view was gorgeous. It's a resort in a beautiful location but it is in dire need of a reno. We preferred the Bora Bora Pearl which we stayed in last time.
Had a great time and our 7 year old even snorkelled with the sting rays. She loved them.
Edited by waterbaby (12/09/10 10:47 AM)
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