Hi Fodorites!

Since I've gotten such great advice from many people while planning my trip, I thought I'd share our experinences on our wonderful trip of a lifetime! I apologize that I drafted this so quickly when we returned...hopefully it makes sense. Feel free to ask me any questions as I love recounting the memories! PS...while we spent two nights in Tahiti, we really just enjoyed Bora Bora so that's what I wrote about. There may be a comment on Tahiti in there but in all honesty, I recommend only a stopover in Tahiti.

Here's a rough trip commentary I quickly drafted when we returned from our honeymoon in May 2007:


Tahiti: 5/11-13/07; Hotel Intercontinental
Bora Bora: 5/13-19/07; Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort
$1 USD = 85 CFP.
Bora Bora Review
We loved the Pearl! It's on a secluded motu so you definitely do not have the sound of motorist traffic. They have a boat shuttle that takes you to the mainland and on certain times, a free shuttle that picks you up from the boat dock and drops you off at the shopping center. Very convenient.
With the exception of Keishi Tours (private motu picnic), we booked all our tours with the hotel (they have an activities desk). Since I speak French, I tried to book the excursions on my own by calling the companies directly, but it becomes a hassle. For example, BB Parasail costs 15,000 CFP if you go to their office; if they pick you up from the hotel, its 25,000 CFP. I asked why the big difference and it's because of the transportation to and from the hotel/office. Call it a collusion but hey that's how it goes. Also, I booked dinner with Kaina Hut on my own using their website. When we arrived at the Pearl I called the restaurant to confirm once in French, and then another time in English. We wait for them to pick us up and nothing. When the hotel called the restaurant to find out about the mixup, they seem to have lost the reservation. So you see, it's worth just booking with the hotel who will do the confirmations for you. Plus, everytime you call out, you get charged 100 CFP per minute.

We were there for 7 full days. We did one main activity per day and filled the rest of the day with just swimming around our bungalow, napping, swimming some more, and other fun honeymoon stuff
- private motu picnic (we were so stuffed we did not eat dinner that night). 65,000 CFP local currency cash only. Expensive but worth it. First you go feed/swim with sting rays and fish and sharks. Then you go snorkelling at the Coral Gardens. Then you have a private motu picnic where your guide personally cooks you a feast of salad, poisson cru, lobster, shrimp skewers, steak, tuna steak, potatoes. Then a full bottle of champagne, water, and pineapple juice, which your guide keeps refilling. Real plates and silverware and champagne flutes. Since it's private, you swim at your leisure. The whole activity takes about 5-6 hours.
- went into town to go grocery shopping and pearl shopping. Load up on bottled water and beer at Chin Lee grocery store (where the shuttle drops you off) because it costs 65 CFP at the store and 583 CFP at the hotel.
- Bloody Mary's restaurant. It's a must do because it's an institution, but in my opinion it was just ok. Bring a $1 bill. You'll find out why when you get there. Appetizers cost around 1,200 CFP, entrees 2,700-3,300 CFP and drinks 600-1,300 CFP, desserts around 850 CFP.
- Jet skiing -- 25,000 CFP for two hours. Our guide was Jonas who loves American basketball. I drove first for about 45 mins, then we stopped at a private motu for a coconut show. Then DH drove back. You go all around BB. My arms hurt!
- In room couples massage from the Manea Spa. The ladies come and set up the massage tables on the deck of our overwater bungalow and all we could hear were the waves and the water while being massaged. Talk about heavenly! Rates on their website.
- Scuba diving at Blue Nui at the hotel. We have never been so we did the Initiation dive where they only go down 20 feet. It lasts about 45 minutes. I now know that I could not be bothered scuba diving for real. 8,000 CFP per person for the initiation dive.
- Parasailing was fantastic. We brought our digital camera with us up there and just held on tightly. We did the duo 300 meters for 30 mins. 35,000 CFP per couple. Pricey but the pics and experience are phenomenal.

The one thing we did not like about the Pearl was their Polynesian Dance Show on Friday (with the seafood buffet, about 7,500 CFP. The buffet itself was great though). Perhaps because they are a small hotel that they could not afford the best dancers? We had seen the Le Grand Ballet de Tahiti and they were pros. At the Pearl, we had 14 year old girls, who, while admittedly those dances are not easy, were immature and kept giggling throughout the routine. This was distracting to the audience and to themselves as they missed some steps. Plus it seemed wrong to be taking pictures of half-nake 14 year olds. I suggest seeing another show in another hotel. If you're staying at the Intercontinental in Tahiti, it's a good one. Though I also hear that the Hotel BB is the best one...but you have to pay for transportation.
- we prepaid for their breakfast buffet everyday. Well worth the $25 per person we paid over the 3,700 CFP pp they were charging. We filled up on breakfast (I swear my stomach developed an extra pocket) and either skipped lunch or dinner, or combined the two. With the heat and other activities, we just weren't that hungry. But we made sure to eat a healthy breakfast to get us through the activities for the day