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From: vickyp@teklds.UUCP (Vicky Powe)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Tahiti info wanted (other places too)
Message-ID: <766@teklds.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Jun-85 15:29:54 EDT
Article-I.D.: teklds.766
Posted: Tue Jun 18 15:29:54 1985
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> 
> 
> 	Since my request for info on travel to Tahiti didn't get me
> 	any feedback from someone who has already been there -- I only
> 	heard from two people that are planning trips later this year 
> 	-- I figured I would try again.  
> 	
> 
> 					     Joanne Renza
> 					     Philips Labs
> 
> 					     philabs!jmr
> 
> 
> 	p.s.  Tahiti is still a good possibility, but I'd rather get
> 	      insight from someone who has been there before -- if 
> 	      there is anyone out there that has.

My husband and I spent two weeks in Tahiti last October (last two weeks).
We visited the islands of Raiatea, Bora Bora and Tahiti.  I am VERY
anxious to go again!

A few "facts" of the area:

The slow pace is a little hard to get used to for the first day.  Shops close
up in the heat of the afternoon and no one is in a hurry to do ANYTHING.

Getting meals is a little tricky.  We're so used to walking into a restaurant
here at anytime and getting fed.  No so there.  Breakfast is usually 6:30
or 7 a.m. till 9 or 9:30; Lunch is 12 to 1:30 and dinner is 6:30 or 7 till
9.  ONLY.  But they have WONDERFUL food!  The beef is imported from New
Zealand and is the best I've ever had.  The croissants are fresh and  warm
every morning and so is the fruit.  

Raiatea:
Is one of the less traveled of the islands.  While we were there, we saw
only about 12 other guests at the Club Bali Hai where we were staying.
No beaches here, so rent an overwater bungalow.  We had a deck off of
which we snorkeled.  (Snorkeling EVERYWHERE was facinating!)  Take the
bus (VW van, actually) tour to see the large marae (ceremonial grounds)
where the natives used to do human sacrifices.  

Bora Bora:
Is the best island we were on.  Next time we're staying longer here.  
Beautiful white sand beaches.  This island has heavier tourist traffic,
but not anything like Hawaii.  We stayed at Hotel Bora Bora which was
really nice.  Big restaurant and lots of things to do and see.  We
especially enjoyed the "shark feeding" excursion in canoes.  The natives
also take you out to the reef (did I mention that these islands are
surrounded by the barrier reef?).  Anyway, the snorkeling is really
fantasic here.  I would also recommend the sunset cruise on the large
catamaran that goes out each evening.  We had the greatest time!

Tahiti:
I wasn't impressed with Tahiti itself.  Maybe because it was the last
island we visited and I was getting a little tired, but it didn't
compare to Bora Bora and Raiatea.  It has regular paved roads and
traffic (mostly diesels, too).  It did have a nice black sand beach,
but snorkeling was out.  The marketplace was interesting and riding
their idea of the bus line (la truck) was fun.  We went on a "Circle
Island Tour" and saw where Cook landed, the Gaugin museum and some
other sites, but I wouldn't stay longer than a couple days here.

There are two other islands where we heard were good places to visit;
Huihine (I'm not sure of spelling) and Rangiroa (lots of good beaches
to beachcomb on).  While there, we met lots of nice people from all
over the world.  Everyone is very friendly and helpful.  

I hope this helps make up your mind.  I would recommend a trip to
French Polynesia highly.  It certainly has been the best vacation
we've had!

Vicky Powe