Tahiti on a Budget

Tahiti is no longer welcoming North American tourists

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Sure feels like it. While tourist arrivals for French Polynesia are down a staggering 29% from a year ago the national airline, Air Tahiti Nui, is doing everything that it can to discourage and frankly, insult, North American visitors.

Want a reasonable air fare to Tahiti? Fine, limit your stay to 4 days maximum and you can get a $731 RT. Yes, they are allowing us to have a four day vacation.

Four days too short? How about a 5 day vacation? Then the airfare jumps up to $996.

But listen to this. If we agree not to step on their soil but rather take a plane to Tahiti and then switch to plane to Auckland (with no stop over) we can do that for only $889 and it's valid for a trip up to a year!!!

Strange, we have many other choices. In the South Pacific, right next door, are the English speaking Cook Islands. The photo above was taken in the Cooks. Air New Zealand is offering weekly non-stops from LAX to Rarotonga for $935 (including all fees and taxes) and a maximum stay of one year. Better yet, fly to Auckland for even less (on ANZ) and get a free Pacific island stopover (Cooks, Samoa or Tonga).

New Air Tahiti Nui Airfare Special - $859 RT from LAX

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Air Tahiti Nui is offering a new Web special fare RT from LAX to Papeete.

The $859.00 price includes all taxes, fees and surcharges.

Purchase a ticket between April 20th and May 11th for flights between August 11th (high season!) and December 10th.

No minimum stay, maximum stay is 10 days from arrival in Papeete.

Another Air Tahiti Nui Airfare Special from LAX - $859 RT

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:23:00 +0000

Air Tahiti Nui has posted another online special, $859 RT from LAX including all taxes, fees and surcharges.

Tickets must be purchased before February 28th and are good for travel between now and April 30th. The maximum stay allowed is 15 days.

$860 Air Tahiti Nui Airfare Special from LAX

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

Air Tahiti Nui is finally offering a special and it's a good one.

$860 including all taxes, fees & surcharges RT from LAX to Tahiti

The fare is only available on select dates and flights:

Southbound (Los Angeles - Papeete)

TN11/05FEB
TN01/08FEB
TN411/14FEB (Valentine's Day!)
TN01/15FEB
TN11/19FEB
TN111/20FEB
TN11/26FEB
TN111/06MAR
TN101/11MAR

Northbound (Papeete - Los Angeles)
TN12/11FEB
TN412/14FEB
TN12/18FEB
TN102/19FEB
TN12/25FEB
TN22/03MAR
TN12/04MAR
TN102/12MAR
TN02/16MAR

Call 877-824-4846 in the U.S. and Canada (Tickets must be purchased by January 22nd)

Tahiti Hotel School Offers Accomodations

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:26:00 +0000

The Tahiti Hotel School (located close to the airport) is offering accomodations on weeknights during the school year.

Rates range from 7000 for a standard room with two single beds or a double up to 9000 for a bungalow. Rooms are air conditioned and have television.

Continental breakfast is available for 600 or have a breakfast buffet for 1000.

This is a very good deal considering that you get a real hotel room for a pension price.

Their restaurants are also open to the public during the school year.

BP 13000 Moana Nui 98717
Punaauia
Polynésie Française

Telephone/Fax:(689)50 45 70

lhthotel@yahoo.fr

A Smoking Ban in French Polynesia?

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Tahitipresse has reported "the Tong Sang government's proposal to ban smoking in public places starting January 1st has received the near-unanimous backing of the French Polynesia Economic, Social and Cultural Council (CESC).

The council, which, when requested by the local government, provides advice on a variety of subjects. It voted 36-0 with one abstention last week in favor of the proposal, which must now be approved by the French Polynesia Assembly.

The only smoking ban Tahiti has had up until now is a 1988 measure that prohibits smoking in certain places used by many people at the same time, such as some education, health and transportation facilities.

However, the new measure would be much stricter, banning smoking in all work places, restaurants, bars and nightclubs as well as all education, health and transportation facilities."

Getting Married in Tahiti?

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:56:00 +0000

In the past Americans who wished to wed in Tahiti were advised that while they could have a traditional wedding ceremony it would not be legally binding. The obstacle was/is the requirement of one month's residency in French Polynesia prior to marriage. (U.S. citizens need a Visa for stays over a month and obtaining one requires quite a lot of effort and paperwork.)

However, since there has been a dramatic cut back in visitors from the North American market (their largest), they are considering revising the requirements for a civil wedding.

How streamlined the process will be remains to be seen. I located these requirements for U.K. citizens wishing to marry there:

In accordance with the national civil code, one month of prior residency in French Polynesia is required. Ten days must also be allowed for the wedding banns to be published.

The following documents must be provided to the municipality where the wedding is to take place:

A custom certificate from the authorities in their country of nationality
A celibacy certificate
A wedding banns publication certificate from the place of foreign residency
Birth certificate must be translated into French by an official translator

Yikes! and stay tuned.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

A Month Long Tahitian Cultural Festival

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:20:00 +0000

Tahiti is currently celebrating the "Matari'i Ni'a", a traditional cultural festival held at the start of the planting season, which begins on November 20th (but the festivities continue through December 14th).

Roughly (very roughly, I'm sure) translated from the official Web site Taumatarii.com it is to remember a time when stars guided the navigator on his double pirogue, a time when the moon taught men to plant, to fish ... It is to remember a time when the constellations were Polynesian, a time when the Pantheon of the Gods rejoined the celestial arch. A time when the stars spoke with man

A full and detailed Program is available in pdf format; it is all in French (but you can figure it out). There's a lot going on.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

New Tahiti Ferry and Cargo Boat Schedules

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:19:00 +0000

Finally there are new Ferry and Cargo Boat schedules available for French Polynesia.

To Moorea I've heard that Le Truck only meets the fast ferries.
To the Leeward Islands Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea, and Taha'a
The Maupiti Express Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti
To the Tuamotus
The Arunai to the Marquesas
I've heard that there is also a small cabin for locals in the back of the ship just beside the kitchen. The cost was reported as $30 per person with full board.
To the Australs

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

Cheapest place to stay in Tahiti?

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:56:00 +0000

Accomodations in Papeete are of poor value but due to flight and boat schedules sometimes you have to overnight there. I had mentioned Pension Teamo previously. It has now become Hostel Teamo and has a web site.

teamohostel@mail.pf
teamohostel@caramail.com
kay@mail.pf
(689)42 47 26
(689)42 00 35
(689) 43 56 95 Fax

8, rue du Point Neuf

Dorm rooms are available at 2200 cfp, a private room is 5500 cfp.

A kitchen is accessible for guests.

On their Web site they provide a handy map showing you how to get there after you get off the Le Truck from the airport.

Their online reservation form seems to suggest that they want a deposit in travelers checks but I noticed that they accept Visa and Mastercard. Be safe and either fax or call in your credit card information. Don't email it.

Au Motu Mahare - a new pension in Huahine

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 02:04:00 +0000

I was going to save this one for myself. The owner of this new pension on Huahine posted their information on the Tahiti Explorer forum.

Au Motu Mahere
On its own motu (islet) across from the old (and unused) Sofitel Heiva hotel.
Tel:(689)77 76 97
Contact: Kim Fabre
motumahare@yahoo.com

6500 per night for one or two persons,
private bathroom (cold water) and a shared fully equipped kitchen
Free transfers, kayaks and bicycles

There are only two fares and the owners are the only people living on the island.
The location has been described as incredible by visitors. It's practically your own private island.

Finally a detailed Heiva I Tahiti 2007 Program

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:22:00 +0000

iFenua has published a detailed Heiva I Tahiti 2007 Program, including entrance fees.

It runs from the 1st to the 21st of July.

You can purchase tickets at the Odyssey
17 Place Notre Dame
(689) 54 25 25
contact@odyssey.pf

Hours of sales are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm and Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:45 pm.

You can also purchase them the evening of the performances from 5 pm.

Prices range from 1000 to 2500.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

Papeete,Tahiti - Big Doings - June 25th - June 29th

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:35:00 +0000

A four day celebration of the Autonomy Festival, culminating with fireworks over Papeete, will commence on June 25th. Most of the activities will be held at the Presidency in downtown Papeete.

Monday, June 25th will be artisan's day.
On Tuesday, June 26th there will be workshops to introduce the public to traditional and classical arts, including dancing and singing and traditional percussion instruments.
Wednesday, June 27th will be dedicated to the sea and to tourism.
Thursday, June 28th will be a day of literature and cinema.

Tahitipresse reported that this year's Autonomy Day will be celebrated next Friday (OP's note: are they referring to Friday the 22nd or Friday the 29th?) with a variety of entertainment starting at 9 am at Place Tarahoi and Bougainville Park in downtown Papeete.

A 1 pm ceremony will be held on June 29th at the "Pont de l'Est", a rotary on the north side of Papeete with a monument in honor of French Polynesia's internal autonomy relationship with France. Papeete Mayor Michel Buillard, Sen. Gaston Flosse and French Polynesia President Gaston Tong Sang are scheduled to participate.

The celebration will move to the presidency at 2 pm on June 29th with a presentation of the athletic delegation that will represent French Polynesia at the 13th South Pacific Games, which will be held from August 25th - September 8th in Apia, Samoa. This will be followed by a ceremony for the presentation of Tahiti Nui Order medals.

Public entertainment will be held at two downtown Papeete locations starting at 6 pm on June 29th, Place To'ata (concerts) and Place Vaiete (traditional Tahitian atmosphere recalling the period of Papeete's former famous night spot, Quinn's Bar). A fireworks display over the Port of Papeete will bring the four day celebration to a close.

Autonomy Day has traditionally been a controversial holiday, with the pro-autonomy political parties led by Flosse and the independence party and its coalition led by Oscar Temaru never agreeing on the proper date for the celebration. While the pro-autonomy politicians have always favored June 29th, the Temaru supporters have favored November 20th.

June 29th is the date in 1984 when French Polynesia's organic law approved by the French Parliament took effect, giving the overseas community, formerly known as a territory, greater internal autonomy while remaining part of the French Republic.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

Heiva i Tahiti 2007 - Program Available

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:40:00 +0000

TheTahitiTraveler Web site has published the first schedule for the 2007 Heiva festival.

It begins on June 12th at the Place Toata in Papeete and continues through July 20th.

Events include song and dance performances & competitions, outrigger races, traditional sports and firewalking.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

Tahiti Resorts at a Bargain Price from Luxury Link

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sun, 13 May 2007 01:40:00 +0000

Luxury Link is an online travel auction service, that works quite differently from eBay.

You bid on hotel packages but from observing the site I've noticed that the prices don't get bid up (for the French Polynesia properties). A bidder will place a starting bid and win that auction.

Currently they have two great deals on offer. Let me first note that your would be responsible for international and inter-island airfares (plus a hotel in Papeete if scheduling requires it). However these offers for 5* resorts for two are incredible.

For a minimum bid of $2,391 you can get:
6-night package for 2 includes:

On Bora Bora

3 nights in a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
Your elegant air-conditioned suite has been designed with privacy and romance in mind, and features an enclosed garden area with private open-air plunge pool, an indoor/outdoor shower, alfresco dining area, and a wooden terrace & sundeck.

Roundtrip boat transfers between the airport and the resort *
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Set-menu dinner for two on one evening of your choice, in the Tevairoa Restaurant **
Serving refined international cuisine, Tevairoa Restaurant sits just 20 feet above sea level, overlooking the exquisite Bora Bora lagoon and beyond to the majestic and memorable mountain Otemanu.

Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Kayaks
Mini-golf
Outdoor swimming pool
Outrigger Canoes
Pedal Boats
Ping Pong
Snorkeling
Tennis
Bacci ball court
Volleyball
Badminton
Movie theatre
Coral Nursery
VAT and government taxes ***

On Manihi

3 nights in a luxurious Overwater Bungalow at the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort
In addition to a spacious sundeck over the lagoon and a glass tables to feed the fish below, your bungalow features tasteful and traditional Polynesian architecture using a mixture of the most noble materials: local precious wood, bamboo, shells, pandanus and palm tree fronds.
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Candlelight dinner for two on one evening of your choice, including a bottle of champagne **
Dine over candlelight on your private table in the restaurant, while indulging in a gourmet dinner with champagne and a delicious cake for dessert.
Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Miniature Golf
Beach Volley Ball
Swimming Pool
Outrigger Canoes
Bacci Ball court
Bicycles
Game room
Billiard
Coral Garden
VAT, government, and local taxes
Rates above are quoted in U.S. dollars and are for two people sharing a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, and an Overwater Bungalow at Manihi Pearl Beach Resort. Price does not include airfare, service charge or customary gratuities. Local tax in the amount of XPF 150 per person, per day is payable directly at the hotel at time of check out.
* Arrival and departure details required.
** Advance table reservations recommended. Beverages other than noted are additional.
*** Local Tax of $1.50 per person, per night payable directly to Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort.
Price does not include handling fee of $20

For $2,659 you can get this package:
7-night package for 2 includes:

On Bora Bora

4 nights in a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
These elegant air-conditioned suites have been designed with privacy and romance in mind. Each features an enclosed garden area with private open-air plunge pool, an indoor/outdoor shower, alfresco dining area, and a wooden terrace & sundeck.

Roundtrip boat transfers between the airport and the resort *
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Set-menu dinner for two on one evening of your choice, in the Tevairoa Restaurant **
Serving refined international cuisine, Tevairoa Restaurant sits just 20 feet above sea level, overlooking the exquisite Bora Bora lagoon and beyond to the majestic and memorable mountain Otemanu.

Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Kayaks
Mini-golf
Outdoor swimming pool
Outrigger Canoes
Pedal Boats
Ping Pong
Snorkeling
Tennis
Bacci ball court
Volleyball
Badminton
Movie theatre
Coral Nursery
VAT and government taxes ***

On Tikehau

3 nights in a beautiful Overwater Bungalow at Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort
Designed in true Polynesian style, this spacious, airy bungalow features a private verandah, ceiling fan, thatched roof, and glass section in the floor from which to enjoy the spectacular underwater life of the lagoon.

Roundtrip boat transfers between the airport and the resort *
Fresh fruit basket in room upon arrival
Full American breakfast for two each morning
Set-menu lunch for two on one day of your choice, in the Poreho Restaurant **
With a terrace overlooking the lagoon, the Poreho Restaurant is truly a sumptuous setting for a taste of European and Polynesian cuisine.

Complimentary activities and equipment including:
Outrigger Canoeing
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Beach Volleyball
Badminton
Pétanque
Swimming Pool
VAT and government taxes

Rates above are quoted in U.S. dollars and are for two people sharing a Premium Pool Suite at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, and an Overwater Bungalow at Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort. Price does not include airfare, service charges or customary gratuities.
* Arrival and departure details required.
** Alcoholic beverages are not included. Advance table reservations recommended.
*** Local Tax of $1.50 per person, per night payable directly to Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort.
Price does not include handling fee of $20.

Weekly Tsunami Alert Tests for Tahiti

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 03:57:00 +0000

Tahitipresse reported that "French Polynesia will hold a tsunami alert every Wednesday at noon with the 62 sirens already installed as the French state continues to install the rest of the total 144 sirens to be in place by the end of the year throughout the five archipelagos.

The French High Commissioner's Office tested some 12 sirens for the first time on Wednesday from Tahiti's north coast Commune of Arue to the southernmost Austral Islands and the northernmost Marquesas Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago in between.

By coincidence, the test of French Polynesia's French state controlled and operated tsunami alert system occurred only a few days after a tsunami triggered by a powerful 8.1 magnitude earthquake claimed at least 32 lives, wiped out villages and left nearly 6,000 people homeless in the Solomon Islands.

The test occurred after three days of particularly unusual seismic activity in the southwestern region of the Pacific Ocean that produced nearly 40 smaller earthquakes, all of which had a magnitude of more than 5.5 on the open-ended Richter Scale.

One such quake had a magnitude of 6.3, occurring early Wednesday between New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands group and Vanuatu's Southern Tanna Island, according to the Denver-based U.S. Geological Survey Center. Like the powerful quake in the Solomon Islands on Monday, the less powerful quake occurred under the ocean.

The highly active seismic zone has sparked a continuing debate in the Pacific over the limits of tsunami warning systems and a need for better preparations.

In French Polynesia, the French state has been installing tsunami alert sirens on island after island and atoll after atoll. Each siren costs 1.5 million French Pacific francs (US$17,045/€12,570). So by the time all 144 are installed by the end of the year, the French state will have invested 216 million French Pacific francs (US$2.45 million/€1.8 million).

The sirens are set up to operate with the push of a button. The system does not need to rely on ordinary telephone service because it is hooked up directly to the first worldwide satellite network, Immarsat, explained Yves Hermann-Auclair. He works for the company Assystem, which is installing the sirens in French Polynesia.

Each siren also has its own independent electricity source, so the sirens would not be affected by power failures or blackouts, he said. The reaction time between pushing the button in Papeete and the wailing of the siren ranges from 45 seconds to two minutes, he said.

One push of the button can set off all the sirens in French Polynesia, or just those sirens in one archipelago, or even in one of the 48 communes throughout the French overseas community, previously known as a territory.

The French state's Geophysical Laboratory in the Pamatai suburb of Papeete watches seismic activity throughout the Pacific 24/7, so it would be the first to alert the High Commissioner's Office in Papeete of any approaching tsunami danger for French Polynesia.

There's also the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii, which notifies governments throughout the region of any tsunami activity.

Earthquake specialists say a tsunami early-warning system would have been of little use for the thousands of people in the Solomon Islands because they had only minutes to escape.

But in French Polynesia, which is relatively isolated in the eastern sector of the region, officials figure they have a lead time of between two to six hours, depending, of course, where and how deep in the ocean the earthquake occurred.

Depending on the origin of an earthquake triggering a tsunami, the Marquesas Islands could be much more vulnerable than the Tuamotu Archipelago, officials said. That is because none of the islands in the Marquesas group have protective coral reefs. That means there would be nothing to slow down a tsunami wave. That is the role the coral reefs play throughout the Tuamotus as well as the Gambier Islands, the Austral Islands and the Society Islands, which contain the most populated Windward Islands of Tahiti and Moorea and the tourism-oriented Leeward Islands.

Wednesday's first test of the tsunami early warning system made no noise in downtown Papeete because the capital has yet to install a siren. Each commune must ask the French state to install a siren, and Papeete's is due to be ready by the end of the year.

The tests will continue at noon on the first Wednesday of each month as new sirens are added. But in the Marquesas Islands, where the official time is 30 minutes behind Papeete and the rest of French Polynesia, the sirens will sound at 11:30 am."

Photo courtesty of Tahiti Tourisme.

Moorea golf course to open first nine holes on April 15

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:59:00 +0000

Tahitipresse announced that the first nine holes of the Moorea Golf Resort course are set to open on April 15th. The other nine are due to be completed in a few months time.

This is part of a project that includes a 154 room hotel as well as 115 residential villas. Completion of the hotel is scheduled for June 2008 and the villas for December 2008.

One of the reasons that the French Polynesia experience is so special is the intimate scale of ones accomodations. Currently the largest hotel, outside of Papeete, is the 143 room Moorea Intercontinental. The new resort will house over 500 guests. Fortunately it is situated near the airport and away from the areas where most visitors will stay.

Moorea - Motel Albert

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 03:25:00 +0000

Motel Albert is across the street from Club Bali Hai on Cook's Bay.
PK 8
Tel:(689)56 12 76
Fax:(689)56 58 58
motel.albert@laposte.net

It's been top rated in the budget category on Moorea for a long time.

A room with a double bed (for 1 to 2 people) is 5400 (minimum stay two nights), including a kitchen and private bathroom.

Larger bungalows are available including one that sleeps up to 5 for 10850.

I must say that I had my doubts about the location as it is across the street from the bay. (There are places nearby where you can access it.) However, I was not enthusiastic until I saw this notice (scroll down) advertising Club Bali Hai's Blue Pineapple Restaurant. It says "Access a piscine pour les clients du restaurant", restaurant customers can access the swimming pool. (The pool is small and cold but if the CBH allows you to access their pool with a restaurant purchase I would assume that it holds for the beach to bay access too.)

There are two supermarkets nearby, restaurants, and a gas station to purchase snacks next door.

Moorea - Club Bali Hai

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:58:00 +0000

Club Bali Hai
PK 8, Cooks Bay
Tel: 1-888-222-5406 (toll free)
Tel: (689) 56 13 68
Fax: (689) 56 13 27
reservations@clubbalihai.pf

Club Bali Hai has the most stunning view of any accomodations in Moorea. It's also the first place that I stayed in French Polynesia. For me, Moorea is the magnificent bays. I loved watching the clouds pass in front of the mountains. Being on the bay, the water is deep and dark (it gradually but quickly gets deep). There is just a tiny beach there. It has a funky, 60s decor.

I stayed in a Bayview room, which included a fully equipped kitchenette. I must admit that I paid about half of the current price less than five years ago. The value choice here is an overwater bungalow. The CBH's don't extend far into the water like the resorts but still they are very choice accomodations given the incredible view.

All rooms are air-conditioned.

Bayview rooms with kitchenette 129 Euros ($171 U.S. as of 1/27/07)
One bedroom Beachfront Bungalows with kitchenette are 213 Euros ($275 U.S. as of 1/27/07), including breakfast.
Overwater Bungalows with kitchenette are 220 Euros ($282.00 as of 1/27/07), including breakfast.
They are currently advertising a seasonal special for the Overwater Bungalows of 165 Euros (approx. U.S. $214 ), breakfast included and 160 Euros (approx. U.S. $206) for the Beachfront Bungalows. (Let me note that CBH is a timeshare as well as a hotel and the timeshare guests get first priority on the more popular room selections.)

They also have Gardenview rooms which only have a refrigerator. The prices for these are not shown on their Web site.

In the back of the Bayview building there are the Mountianview rooms, with only a fridge. They are not mentioned on the site at all, however, I did stay in one when I extended my stay there. They face the road and I found the room depressing after being spoiled by the stunning Bayview I had previously.

CBH is close to two supermarkets, restaurants, has its own restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch, there is a gas station across the street where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

Wednesday nights they have a free Tahitian dance show.

The staff is lovely.

Moorea - Les Tipaniers

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:40:00 +0000

Les Tipaniers, Moorea
PK 25.9
Tel: (689) 56 12 67
Fax : (689) 56 29 25
tipaniersresa@mail.pf

Located near the Les Petit Village area on Moorea's west side where there are shops and restaurants, Les Tipaniers is right on the beach. There is a restaurant on the premises.

Rooms start at 6900 for a fan cooled garden room.
A garden bungalow with a kitchen goes for 13950 for 1 to two persons and is 16200 for 3 to 4 occupants.

Bicycles are provided free of charge.

They have an annex, Les Tipaniers Iti that is 2.5 miles east on Opunohu Bay. The prices are considerably less there, 7950 for a bungalow with a kitchen. The area there is residential. It does not have a beach but there is a pontoon overlooking Opunohu Bay (which is stunning). You can use the beach at the main hotel.

Club Med Bora Bora On Sale

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 05:06:00 +0000

Club Med is running a 1/2 off every second person sale at selected locations.

You can book the Club Med Bora Bora for $1,952 for two, for a weeks stay.

The rooms are air conditioned and include a fridge and TV.

All meals, drinks (both alcoholic and non), required membership, optional travel insurance (you can opt out and save $100 per couple), sports activities including snorkeling (with boat trips), sailing(catamarans) and windsurfing is included.

Transport to Tahiti, and then Bora Bora, and transfers to the resort is additional.

What's great about Club Med is that they have a picnic spot on the motu opposite the main island of Bora Bora that is in the most breathtaking location I've ever seen.

You'll have to book by April 14th. Travel dates are April 14th - December 21st 2007.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

Overwater Bungalows for $293 in Manihi

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 05:07:00 +0000

I checked out Expedia and while they offer the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort $147 Garden bungalow special (on fewer dates and with only a free breakfast) what caught my eye was the Premium Overwater Bungalows for $293 per night including breakfast.

That is a great deal! Imagine yourself staying here:

Snorkeling in the lagoon there has been described as being inside an aquarium.

Manihi Pearl Beach Resort on Sale at Travelocity

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 04:07:00 +0000

On Travelocity select dates are showing Garden rooms at the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort for US$142.77 plus tax including breakfast and dinner.

That is an incredible deal!

On the Pearl Beach Web site they only have last years rate but the rack rate for a Garden room is 28000 or $307 USD. A continental breakfast is 2300 and dinner is 5400.

I put in April 23rd - 26th but the rate is available on many dates in March and April.

This is what I copied from the Travelocity Web site:

Room: Premium Beach Bungalow (2 Adults)
Nightly rates are based upon 2 people in the room.

Two Breakfast and Dinners daily

3 Nights:
Mon, Apr 23 $142.77
Tue, Apr 24 $142.77
Wed, Apr 25 $142.77

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sum of Nightly Rates: $428.31
Taxes & Fees: $62.58

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total for 1 Room: $490.89

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a daily tax of 150XPF (est. $1.50 USD) per person, per night due direct to the hotel.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

Next Stop Mataiva

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:31:00 +0000

The stunning French language blog Notre Annee En Polynesie has been reporting on their trip to Mataiva, complete with gorgeous photos.

The Tuamotu atoll is a "touristed" one, with accomodations and written up in some guidebooks. It, however, it not available on any Air Tahiti airpass.

The photos posted on Notre Annee are just incredible and make one want to jump on a plane and head there right away.

They stayed at a new pension, Ariihee Vai, that you can book via the Haere Mai Association of Guesthouses and Family Pensions.

Tel:(689) 76 44 23
Fax:(689) 96 32 46

7000 per person, including full board
Children from 2 to 12 are 4000, under 2 free

Free transfers
Free excursions
Free bikes and kayaks
Free drinks (coffee, tea and water)
No credit cards accepted

The activities that they provide are:

Making necklaces of shells and flowers
Line fishing on the reef
Lobster catching
Visiting the fish parks
Visit of the Marae (old temples)
Excursion to the bird island
Island tour by car

Air Tahiti flies there twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

Getting a cheap (er) airfare to Tahiti

noreply@blogger.com (il) — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:35:00 +0000

I haven't seen a great airfare to Papeete (PPT) from Los Angeles (LAX) in a while. With the loss of Air New Zealand from that route in a months time I suspect that deals will be harder to find. I can share with you what has worked in the past for me.

Sign up for Air Tahiti Nui's email specials. It used to be the way to get the first news of special reduced fares to Tahiti, usually restricted to just a few flights.

Recently, ATN has been posting specials on their Web site over two weeks before the customers who have taken the time to register have received notification. I would be making at least a weekly visit to the ATN Web site to see if there is anything good posted there.

Last year I got a better fare on Expedia than the same flight directly from Air Tahiti Nui. (Just tried a comparison for departure on 4/19, return 5/2, after taxes and surcharges Expedia was $971 total and ATN was $1192.)

I tried Orbitz and they showed a fare of $972.

Travelocity amazed me as offering the lowest fare for those dates at $951.40.

I've been signed up for Air France's email specials for several years. However, they have never notified me of any special fares to French Polynesia (however, if you want to go to Paris ....).

Once a couple of years ago, when I was bored, I started inputing random dates into the Air France online booking service. I found a great fare (in the $400's RT) available for certain depatures in April and May. I was never able to find where the fare was published but it was available for purchase on the Air France site. The fare I got for roughly the same dates as above was $1,108. Note that Air France displays the fares in one way segments, the fare is not $504.

While I've gotten great U.S. hotel deals bidding on Priceline I have not used them for international air. You can purchase airline tickets, without bidding, from them also. For the dates mentioned above they were also cheaper than ATN coming in at $1013. I suggest reading up on bidding strategies at Bidding for Travel.

I also tried various "Cheap" airfares sites but none of them were cheaper than Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity.

If I was planning for an upcoming trip and had flexibility with dates I would wait for an Air Tahiti Nui special. The specials aren't restricted to off-season, I've used them at the peak of high-season in August and early Septmember. I've purchased them over a month before depature.