Monday-- Steve and I kayaked around the lagoon at the Hilton. The weather was pretty rough and windy but it was a good way to view the hotel property from the ocean. We then took a water taxi from the Hilton into town and spent the rest of the day window shopping for the famous Tahitian black pearls. There are several pearl shops in town, the most expensive being Robert Wan. In fact, the Hilton water taxi drop off is at the dock of the Robert Wan Pearl shop--captured audience. During our window shopping adventure, we learned alot about the black pearls--what determines the quality, the shape, the color and how the pearls are farmed. There were also locals who set up shop along the roadside that were selling homemade pareos, fruits and jewelry made out of shells.
Tuesday--today was our Day in Paradise excursion to the Motu Tapu. We left the Hotel around 9:30am and boated over to the motu. It took about 15 minutes. The motu is only accessible for Hilton residence . The total number of couples that went with us were 3 so we practically had the entire island to ourselves. The cost of the excursion was around 7000 cfp a person which is around $160. Yea...very expensive. We spent the day snorkeling in the very shallow water and had lunch around 11:00 on the beach. Steve encountered a stingray that swam very close to the beach and got some really good video. The young Japanese couples enjoyed watching this big Texas boy chasing a stingray in the shallow water.
Travel Tip: If your use to warm water like I am, you'll find that the ocean temperature of 78 degrees to be very cold. I should have brought along my shortie to snorkel in. Instead, I wore a long sleeved shirt.
Tuesday--today was our Day in Paradise excursion to the Motu Tapu. We left the Hotel around 9:30am and boated over to the motu. It took about 15 minutes. The motu is only accessible for Hilton residence . The total number of couples that went with us were 3 so we practically had the entire island to ourselves. The cost of the excursion was around 7000 cfp a person which is around $160. Yea...very expensive. We spent the day snorkeling in the very shallow water and had lunch around 11:00 on the beach. Steve encountered a stingray that swam very close to the beach and got some really good video. The young Japanese couples enjoyed watching this big Texas boy chasing a stingray in the shallow water.
Travel Tip: If your use to warm water like I am, you'll find that the ocean temperature of 78 degrees to be very cold. I should have brought along my shortie to snorkel in. Instead, I wore a long sleeved shirt.
Pearl, Pearls and more Pearls----After our day in paradise, we went back to the Hilton, cleaned up and rested and then took the boat in to town to buy some pearls. We heard from some other tourists that the best prices for black pearls was a place called Arc en Ciel. The shop is not located in town but is a taxi ride around the island. We called the shop and they picked us up and took us to the shop. The shop almost looks like your walking into someones home but has a small but nice display area. The prices and quality of pearls were definitely better than the larger shops in town. Picking the right pearl was the hardest thing to do--what color, what size, what shape???? I ended up with a pair of round earrings--9 mm in size, light peacock in color. I selected a 12.8mm drop necklace in a semi-round shape--also light peacock in color. Ar en Ciel also gave us the documentation and papers for the pearls. What is interesting is that even though the pearls are so expensive, all the locals wear them along with the Tiare flower in their ear.
Wednesday--today we said goodbye to the Hilton, packed up and went to the Intercontinental La Moana located on the island. This hotel was much smaller than the Hilton and older, but was very quaint and personable. Very friendly people. Our bungalow was room #12 at the end of the dock. The view was great of the sunrise. Each bungalow had a coral reef underneath it that you could view through your coffee table. The coffee table top also open to feed the fish. This was my nightly entertainment. The water was very shallow and clear so snorkeling around the bungalow was very convenient.
Travel Tip: A great place to eat lunch with the locals that isn't too expensive is Fare Manuia. The restaurant is located around the corner to the Intercontinental. The pizza is awesome and cost around $50.00 for 8 pieces.
Wednesday--today we said goodbye to the Hilton, packed up and went to the Intercontinental La Moana located on the island. This hotel was much smaller than the Hilton and older, but was very quaint and personable. Very friendly people. Our bungalow was room #12 at the end of the dock. The view was great of the sunrise. Each bungalow had a coral reef underneath it that you could view through your coffee table. The coffee table top also open to feed the fish. This was my nightly entertainment. The water was very shallow and clear so snorkeling around the bungalow was very convenient.
Travel Tip: A great place to eat lunch with the locals that isn't too expensive is Fare Manuia. The restaurant is located around the corner to the Intercontinental. The pizza is awesome and cost around $50.00 for 8 pieces.
Thursday--4 x 4 Jeep Excursion--This excursion I would highly recommend, but probably near the beginning of your visit to Bora Bora. If you have a good tour guide, you will learn a great deal of history and culture about the island. I would also recommend doing the morning excursion from 9:30-12:30--not as hot. We toured the entire island from the view of the mountains. Breathtaking, kodak moments of the barrier reef and the ocean.
Friday--Kayak and Snorkeling. The weather today was the best we've had all week. Not windy and no rainy moments. Steve and I got a kayak and paddled out to the Coral Gardens. These gardens are not widely advertised but are definitely a must do!! They are located near the Motu Sofitel which was located right across from our bungalow. We kayaked to the back side of the Motu Sofitel and docked the kayak. It was very rocky so water shoes were a must. We then spent 1 1/2 hours snorkeling around the motu as well as out to the deeper part of the Coral Gardens. The variety of fish and oysters in the coral was fascinating and the water was shallow enough that you could see everything without diving.
Friday evening we boated over to the Intercontinental Thalasso Resort and Spa. We were allowed to use all of their facilities as residents of the La Moana. The Thalasso is definitely a 5 star resort for the rich and famous. Very modern and only 3 years old. Wow!! We had drinks and walked around the resort and bungalow areas. The bungalows extended quite a distance from the beach some of the bungalows were a good walk to the main resort. Warning--a martini cost $25.00 but from 5-7 they have happy hour--2 for one.
Friday evening we boated over to the Intercontinental Thalasso Resort and Spa. We were allowed to use all of their facilities as residents of the La Moana. The Thalasso is definitely a 5 star resort for the rich and famous. Very modern and only 3 years old. Wow!! We had drinks and walked around the resort and bungalow areas. The bungalows extended quite a distance from the beach some of the bungalows were a good walk to the main resort. Warning--a martini cost $25.00 but from 5-7 they have happy hour--2 for one.
Saturday--Spa Day!! Steve and I spent the day at the Deep Ocean Spa at the IC Thalasso Resort. I had a massage, facial, collagen mask and we both enjoyed the sauna, hydrotherapy, spa, private jacuzzi, tea room, etc. Steve strutted around in his pareo and acted like the spa king. Totally relaxing!!! We spent the rest of the day at this resort, enjoyed happy hour and dinner.
Sunday--Packed up for the long trip home. Good bye paradise.
Sunday--Packed up for the long trip home. Good bye paradise.