Advertisement
Published: March 27th 2008
Edit Blog Post
Now many of you may not understand the impact of the falling value of the US Dollar in the world market...but this past week we had a blast of reality, try a continental breakfast -- $50 for two (no omelettes or waffles; seriously, bread, butter, and fruit and that was it).......
French Polynesia is one of the those places that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Pictures are of no use...this place is much more beautiful than any picture can show you. The water is more blue, the scenery is more amazing, and the time is SOOOO relaxing.
As you would guess on this fast moving trip, travel days are a bear. I have a great picture of Jessica asleep on the floor of the Tahiti airport as we arrived at midnight and our flight for Bora Bora left at 6:00 am. She has come a long way, from somebody who couldn't sleep on a plane to where she just rolled up on a public floor and fell asleep on concrete. The travel so far has been pretty brutal with lots of waiting in airports, long flights, and a nearly a different hotel every night. We
On the 4x4 tour
The 4x4 tour is a must when you get to Bora Bora had been looking forward to our 5 days, 4 nights in Bora Bora...all in one comfortable hotel (Novotel Resort).
With the US economy is the shape it is in tourism is way down in French Polynesia...so really nothing was crowded. We got to Bora Bora, and we were able to book a 4x4 jungle tour around the island right away. Pretty funny as the driver thought he would scare Jessica with the steep, rutted mountain roads...but he had no idea that this Roseburg girl has spent years driving around a ranch in a 4x4 with her grandfather -- who drives on mountain roads with no fear (sorry D.R., just what I have heard about your ranch driving :-)). Amazing views of one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
We got back and just collapsed asleep as the traveling finally caught up to us. Twelve hours later we awoke and realized that we really were in Bora Bora and we decided to tackle the island full force with diving, lagoon trips, and hiking....then we thought again, and realized that just lying around the beach would be just about perfect. And that is what we did....The End.
.
In the Lagoon
We rented a boat and had a great day on our own .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ok, there is a ton more....but I dont really need to say anymore. The weather was amazing, the beaches were pretty much empty, the island wasn't crowded. It was paradise. That second night we had dinner at Bloody Mary's (movie: South Pacific), where it appears that it is pretty much a "must go" for all Americans. We only saw a few Americans the whole 5 days, but everybody in the restaurant was from the US. I think that we all saw the movie, but nobody else in the world really cares. Wonderful food!
The next day we rented a boat and spent the day boating around finding places to snorkel, picnic, and relax. Pretty much as perfect as it sounds, the lagoon is indescribable.
Now for the reality. The expense of these islands cannot be exaggerated.......these are damn expensive islands. Literally everything costs a fortune. We went to the local grocery to buy breakfast and lunch after we paid $50 for toast and fruit at the hotel on morning #1. Still, the expense was shocking. Every little activity cost top dollar, and there was no place to go
to escape the prices.
We finally found a little pizza place down the road from the Novotel Resort that had personal pizzas for around $25-35 USD. We would split the pizza, split a bottled water, and then split a Nutella crepe. When all was said and done we had spent $45 USD -- but that was the only "cheap" night out.
We had to just put the budget out of our minds and enjoy the time we had. If you plan on coming to the French Polynesia make sure you negotiate your hotel before you come, and then be ready for plenty of expenses on the ground. I would guess that an average couple would have a hard time not spending $200-400 per day with just eating out and a few activities. So be prepared!!!
Litterally, where did the days go???? What an amazing place. We are headed back to Tahiti for a couple days of touring...and we are really looking forward to see more of these isalnds.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.117s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 13; qc: 62; dbt: 0.0702s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb