Saturday, August 27, 2011

POLYNESIA

(includes Cook Islands & French Polynesia)

COOK ISLANDS

AITUTAKI
Hotels
Pacific Resort – Amuri; 011-682-31720; pacificresort.com; paradiselike; private suites and bungalows; spa.



FRENCH POLYNESIA
(includes Marquesas, Society Islands, Tuamotus & Windward Islands)

SOCIETY ISLANDS
Bora Bora
Dives
Muri Muri.
Tapu – just off Teavanui Pass; lemon shark viewing.]
Hotels
Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa – Vaitape; 011-689-603-300 or 888-414-2018; starwoodhotels.com.
Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa – Vaitape (facing Mount Otemanu); 011-689-508-445 or 866-209-3901; pearlresorts.com; member Leading Small Hotels of World; beachfront rooms; some overwater bungalows.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Motu Tehotu; 011-689-603-130 (front desk), 011-689-603-170 (reservations) or 800-332-3442; fourseasons.com/borabora; try to get overwater bungalow suite #231, which has plunge pool (expensive).
InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana – Motu Piti Aau; 011-689-607-6000; ichotelsgroup.com; 80 identical overwater villas, extending into warm lagoon like 2 claws; views include lagoons, beaches, and/or Mount Otemanu; floor-to-ceiling windows; Lucite ceiling fans; big tubs overlooking water; bathrooms with black slate floors; nice bar; infinity pool; excellent spa; May and June are cloud-free; best rooms are #s 122 and 221, both “Diamond Villas,” short walks from facilities and perfect view of Mount Otemanu.
Le Meridien – Motu Tape Bp 190; 011-689-605-151 or 800-543-4300; starwoodhotels.com; overwater bungalows with fresco ceilings and doors inlaid with tiny seashells.
Sights & Sites
Mount Pahia – hike starts in Vaitape; Bora Bora’s iconic peak; 3-6 hour hike to top; recommended that take guide.

Hitiaa O Te Ra
Sights & Sites
Lava Tubes – east coast; underground galleries with water running through them; preferable to go with guide and 4-wheel drive vehicle and then by foot.

Moorea
Dives
Stingray World.
Hotels
Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa – Maharepa; 011-689-551-750; pearlresorts.com; 7-acre lagoon property has bungalows over water with coral and fish below; beach bungalows border gardens and coconut grove; food disappointing.
Sights & Sites
Pineapple Route – scenic drive that includes Cook Bay.

Nuku Hiva
Dives
Ekamako.
Hotels
Keikahanui Nuku Hiva Pearl Lodge – Taiohae; 011-689-920-710; pearlresorts.com; small rooms with great views; decorated with local art; take helicopter to hotel – drive is treacherous; take ear-plugs because noisy roosters are real problem.
Shopping
Mooroa Utia – 011-689-920-168; Mooroa Utia is the man from whom to buy wood carvings.
Rosa Corser Boutique – 011-689-920-382; attached to museum.
Sights & Sites
Kamuihei – ancient temple complex ruins.
Taetae Tupuna Enana (Museum of Marquesan Culture) – 011-689-920-382; attached to Rosa Corser Boutique; local archaeological finds.
Taipivai Valley – ceremonial meeting places.
Vaipo Waterfall – awe-inspiring.

Raiatea
Dives
Nordby – Baie de Tepua (in front of Hawaiki Nui Hotel); 3-masted Danish schooner that sank in 1900.

Taha’a
Hotels
Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa – Motu Tautau; 011-689-608-400; letahaa.com; 10-minute helicopter ride from Bora Bora; perfect scoring retreat.

Tuamotu-Gambier
Fakarava
Dives
Tetamanu Pass – coral-covered, south passage where 100s gray sharks roll, almost continuously.

MARQUESAS
Hiva Oa
Hotels
Hanakee Hiva Oa Pearl Lodge – Atuona; 011-689-927-587; pearlresorts.com; small rooms with great views; decorated with local art; take helicopter to hotel – drive is treacherous; take ear-plugs because noisy roosters are real problem.
Shopping
Jean Marie Otonini – 011-689-927-655; Jean Marie Otonini is the man from whom to buy wood carvings.
Sights & Sites
Calvary Cemetery – Atuona; where Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel are buried.
Puamau Village – east of Atuona; where 7-foot tikis stand.

TUAMOTUS
Rangiroa
Dives
Tiputa Pass – great shark viewing.

WINDWARD ISLANDS
Tahiti
Dives
Catalina Flying Boat.
Geolette.
Sights & Sites
Papenoo Valley.
Trois Cascades – waterfalls.
Trou du Souffleur – blowhole under coastal road.

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