Food and excursions in Tahiti
 

My wife and I are considering a package that includes some meals and excursions. I have read in other parts of this forum that all inclusive packages are sometimes not the best deal in terms of cost and quality. Would appreciate any feedback on the quality of food, especially as part of a package deal. Also, would you recommend excursions with the package or just buy them when we arrive. Thanks in advance.

If price is a consideration, do not go with a meal plan. In general, the hotel restaurants are the most expensive on the island (Moorea and Bora Bora). They are good, but we found good food at every restaurant we ate at (using guide book recommendations and info from this site). One of the best was at Temanuata on Bora Bora, and it was cheap. You don't get much of a discount off the list price when you buy the meal plan, so I would not do it. No need to buy anything in advance, plenty of opportunity to schedule any excursion you want once you get there. The options you find once you get there may change what you want to do, so you don't want to be tied down to a schedule.

Hi John, <BR> <BR>My fiance and I are considering a combo trip of Bora Bora and Hawaii for 2 weeks, or 2 weeks in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne (Great Ocean Road), and Hayman Island in the Great Barrier Reef) for our honeymoon. We are active people, and like to do a lot by day, and have a couple of cocktails by the water at night to finish the day off. <BR> <BR>Can you provide any insight or information on Bora Bora (ie. where to stay, what to do - we would like to have a range of activities), and what you may think of our choices? Which destination would you prefer for a honeymoon? <BR> <BR>Thanks so much!

Vicki - Bora Bora is beautiful, which makes it a great honeymoon spot. All of the major hotels are roughly similar. Your biggest decision is whether you would want to stay on the main island or on one of the "motu" islands on the perimeter of the lagoon. The motu hotels are more secluded, but since it is Bora Bora, there aren't a lot of people walking through your hotel lobby anyhow. The drawback is that you are somewhat isolated from the mainland and the things that can be done there. You must take water shuttles. Plus, you miss out on much of the local flavor. We stayed at the Beachcomber and it was very nice. As for things to do, most of them involve the water. Jet skis, snorkeling, diving, shark feeding excursions, sailboats, outrigger canoeing, windsurfing, fishing excursions, etc. I recommend seeing the lagoonarium if you like to snorkel. There is also hiking available. Nightlife is very limited, but we usually had a "happy hour" cocktail before heading off to dinner. The hotels often have live music in the evenings if you want an after dinner drink. Just don't expect to go "clubbing". <BR>I have never been to Australia, so I really can't compare it as a honeymoon spot. However, I know on our honeymoon, we didn't want to do a lot of sightseeing. We were too tired from the wedding stress and just wanted to relax in a place without too many tourists. We chose Barbados and it was great. We would have chosen Tahiti but it was out of our price range at the time, so we told ourselves we would go on our 5th anniversary. We made it there 6 months ahead of time! Hawaii and BB are a good combination for a honeymoon.

Went to Tahiti/BB last summer and we were VERY disappointed with the dining on each of the islands. Poor quality, inexperienced cooking(how do the French put up with it?) and extremely overpriced. We went to the supposedly "best" places to road side stands. All blase at best. :(