That's awesome Locke. Tahiti has always been the island destination that I've most wanted to go to with the wife. Get one of those glass bottomed huts like in that ####ty Vince Vaughn movie! Very jealous.
We do have the over-the-water hut, I do not believe it has a glass bottom.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone
so how do you get to tahati from calgary?
Can you post of a link of where you are staying?
Calgary to LA, LA to Papeete. Theres a layover, but it isnt terrible.
We were married in Moorea (sister island to Tahiti) and have been 3 times. My wife's great uncle owns a small resort on Moorea. If you haven't booked everything let me know as the little resort is quite a treat. The bungalows are all little wood and thatch huts. Very traditional looking and very quiet. They also have full kitchens so you can save a bit on food costs then.
As for costs, yes, they are high but there are some less expensive places if you don't need to stay in above water bungalows. The market in Papeete has some less expensive food options and in the harbour they have basically food trucks. If you're focused just on restaurants it is high dollar for the most part.
Getting around, the bus system is pretty easy and inexpensive. Having a bit of French language ability goes a long way to making it easier to get around.
Let me know where you're staying and I'll give some more suggestions.
__________________
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to FurnaceFace For This Useful Post:
We were married in Moorea (sister island to Tahiti) and have been 3 times. My wife's great uncle owns a small resort on Moorea. If you haven't booked everything let me know as the little resort is quite a treat. The bungalows are all little wood and thatch huts. Very traditional looking and very quiet. They also have full kitchens so you can save a bit on food costs then.
As for costs, yes, they are high but there are some less expensive places if you don't need to stay in above water bungalows. The market in Papeete has some less expensive food options and in the harbour they have basically food trucks. If you're focused just on restaurants it is high dollar for the most part.
Getting around, the bus system is pretty easy and inexpensive. Having a bit of French language ability goes a long way to making it easier to get around.
Let me know where you're staying and I'll give some more suggestions.
Yeah, everything is booked, but thats interesting information which is pretty much what I'm after. Where I's staying is linked in my above post. The 'over the water bungalow' was pretty much a mandatory requirement from both of us. It follows with the aspect of 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip.
Who knows, maybe if we're blown away we'll be back, but we cant plan for that right now so we want this trip to be something amazing.
We're not looking to penny-pinch on this trip, but I'm not looking to be a complete sucker either. So, food is something we'll have to keep our eyes on, and thats good to know.
I also want to know what to see and where to go. What attractions there are and things you just cant miss.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Weird. That is actually not as expensive as I thought it would be. Thought the over water would be over $10k+ for 7 nights. Now I want to go, but where to dump the kids.
.....the South Pacific??
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
The Following User Says Thank You to Locke For This Useful Post:
We stayed in an auberge near the Meridien, could see the bungalows from the beach. It looked good and really you can't go wrong.
Price wise hotels on Tahiti are lower than on the more popular islands of Bora Bora or Moorea where the overwaters are crazy, especially Bora Bora.
For your layover in LA, dump your bags at the airport and then take The Big Blue Bus from to Santa Monica. Really easy transportation option.
My wife and I had an 11 or 12 hour layover in LA on our way to The Cook Islands, rented a car and drove down to Santa Monica to spend the day, definately beats hanging at the airport.
Never been, but I hear Teahupo'o is the place to go surfing. I'm sure you would be fine if you just wanted to do some body surfing or wanted to learn how to get up on the board. Once I a lifetime right?
__________________
'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'
I've always wanted to bump a years old thread, so hear goes:
My advice after thoroughly researching Tahiti/French Polynesia is to go to the Cook Islands instead. It is so much cheaper for a similar South Pacific experience! They also speak English, use New Zealand Dollars and there are lots of Canadians visiting (one bar even had a Caesar on the menu!).
I would however like to visit this resort one day: http://thebrando.com/ Time to start saving!
I've always wanted to bump a years old thread, so hear goes:
My advice after thoroughly researching Tahiti/French Polynesia is to go to the Cook Islands instead. It is so much cheaper for a similar South Pacific experience! They also speak English, use New Zealand Dollars and there are lots of Canadians visiting (one bar even had a Caesar on the menu!).
I would however like to visit this resort one day: http://thebrando.com/ Time to start saving!
I've always wanted to bump a years old thread, so hear goes:
My advice after thoroughly researching Tahiti/French Polynesia is to go to the Cook Islands instead. It is so much cheaper for a similar South Pacific experience! They also speak English, use New Zealand Dollars and there are lots of Canadians visiting (one bar even had a Caesar on the menu!).
I would however like to visit this resort one day: http://thebrando.com/ Time to start saving!
How is it if you are dragging around offspring in the 3-6 age range? Also, is there a time of year you should NOT go?
No kidding. That was my Honeymoon trip. 3 years ago.
And you are still married. To the same woman! So, you've done better than 66.67% of my marriages - congratulations. And Fotze still exists in this thread (in quotes).
I love Tahiti so much I started specializing in it so that I could go back, and back and back again and again
Anyone reads this and wants to go please PM me or better yet email me (email in the video; I'm not always on CP these days so email is best).
General tips:
- Book 150 days in advance, get 10% off Air Tahiti Nui airfare ex Los Angeles. Also get up to 35% off the cost of accommodations vs those who book 'last minute'.
- Sometimes cheaper airfare wise to combine a visit to Tahiti with New Zealand rather than going to Tahiti only. Reasons for this are somewhat convoluted but I will explain if asked.
- Mix up accommodations: stay at different resorts and room categories, and build up towards the 4-5 star resort and Overwater Bungalow rather than planning to stay in the latter for the whole time which may not be financially realistic.
- Go during the Low Season months: Nov to March OR the Shoulder season monts April and May.
Rainiest months are Dec to March but most of my clients who travel during this time make no comment about rain in their trip feedback. Pretty much only time rain is mentioned dare from those who go during dry/high season Jun to Oct not expecting any rain at all (but of course it rains anytime year round).
The Tahitian Summer (or 'rainy season') is more about heat/humidity than it is about rain. Most people don't mind sticky heat in mid-Jan when lying on the beach or relaxing on the terrace of an Overwater Bungalow.
Traveling in Low Season is about 40% less than High Season, Shoulder is about 25% less than High Season.
Don't completely write off High/Dry season though, if that's when you want to go (when you are getting married, taking your honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary etc etc) then just follow the same principle of booking very early to get a good price (and ideal availability; popular resorts/rooms sell out 3-5 months in advance during High Season).
- Lastly, book through a travel agent... Tahiti and other destinations in the South Pacific are some of the last places on Earth where you still get better rates/better value going through an agent who specializes in the destination versus trying to do it all online.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Scrambler For This Useful Post:
