I just wrote about a half hour of stuff regarding my trip and for some reason it didn't show up! I'll start writing again but I want to make sure this shows up.

Well I guess I will start over. <BR>First I would like to thank everyone who adds to this site. It helped me in planning for my trip. I think I learned everything there is to know about Moorea ask away! <BR>I am an avid diver and have traveled extensively and have come to the conclusion this was my favorite vacation yet! We left from Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA for one night in Tahiti and 6 in Moorea. We stayed one night in LA and flew Tahiti Nui-which was wonderful. <BR>The Sheraton in Tahiti was beautiful, although we went to order 24 hour room service and they had stopped serving at 2200 so my husband went to bed hungry. That was a disappointment. <BR>We spent our first day in Papeete shopping, buy everything there since there isn't much on the islands. There is not a lot to purchase and it is expensive. We got some great wood carvings. We took the ferry over to Moorea and stayed in the Sheraton there. It was beautiful. Per the locals the Sheraton is now the nicest resort on Moorea. There are 109 rooms, 40 garden and the rest OTW. Due to my environmental concerns we stayed in the garden, although my husband would love the OTW. The were designed beautifully and are air conditioned. Very private. My day consisted of waking up at 0530 putting my bathrobe on and feeding the fish till 0745 while my husband slept till 1000. The lagoon surrounding the hotel is unbelievable. About 4-5 feet deep with moray eels, stonefish (scorpion fish), butterfly, puffers, parrots, trumpet fish, eagle rays, and some sharks. It was excellent snorkeling. I then would go diving from 0800-1030. The diving is expensive-50.00 US dollars for one dive but it is top notch. The shop is Top Dive and they were excellent. We dove with 12 foot lemon sharks and 60-100 grey and black tip sharks. Sharks are a passion of mine so I was in heaven! The employees at the Sheraton go to know me by name and talked to me while I fed the fish everyday. I can't speak highly enough of them. The weather was excellent, we were very lucky. It poured in Tahiti for one hour and in Moorea it never rained except at night. I was told that over christmas from the locals it rained for 2 weeks straight so you never know. The lunch was great and fairly priced, around 8.00 for a sandwich with fries. Dinner was highly over priced and too fancy for our tastes. We ate out all nights but one. We ate at Alfredos-an italian restaurant that was excellent that offered free pick up and at The mahogany which was asian cuisine that was excellent. I also went to the local supermarkets and pastry shops which were great. My husband and I prefer to not do tours and do not like a lot of people so this was an excellent vacation. We'd be happy on deserted island-with air conditioning for him <BR>We saw the island with a local and went to the waterfall, juice factory, look out point and lots of cultural areas. <BR>I cannot speak highly enough of my vacation here. We will be back next year. I was told by the locals the lagoon in Bora Bora is nicer, which is so hard to believe, but we will se next year! They also have Manta Rays in Bora Bora. <BR>Whatever you do, go with no expectations and a friendly attitude and you will love it. We met some very rude Americans and it just embarassed me. Tipping is not customary but they do not make much money and REALLY appreciate it. I would go back tomorrow if I could and live there! I know almost everything about the island so please ask, I spent a lot of time with the locals while my husband was sleeping! Have a great time planning. I wish I could tell you how terrible it was to I could keep it pristine for me but It was so wonderful. But remember in our oceans, take only pictures, leave only bubbles-and don't touch anything!!!!! Have Fun!

Dear Amy, <BR>The timing of your message couldn't have been better!!! My husband and I are planning a trip to Moorea for our 10-year anniversary, and I'm thinking seriously about the Sheraton. My only hesitation was that it is so new, I didn't know if it needed a breaking-in period. According to your note, I don't need to worry about that! Is the beach area nice? Can you get away from other people fairly easily? That Italian restaurant you went to was in my guide book - it sounds delicious. We probably will eat out at night too, do you have any other recommendations for dinner? Thank you so much for your note - I am so excited for our trip!!! Oh yeah, what do you hear about the weather in late May??? <BR>Holly

Hi Holly! You are going to have a wonderful trip. There was nobody around to get away from when we were there, maybe 4 or 5 other couples at the pool, usually nobody though. When I would get up in the morning and feed the fish I wouldn't see anybody but employee's for 2 hours! It was very private. They have free mountain bikes and Kayaks at the Sheraton so you can take those to get around-it is very safe. The people drive very well and recongnize the speed limit of 60km or around 35mph. My husband is a particular eater so we actually went to Alfredo's 5 nights, the drivers name is Donald-you can tell him you spoke with me. He know's me by diving with the sharks and yelling at him for hitting the crabs in the road. You'll see what I mean about the crabs at night when you get there. I have to leave you some surprises! Don't worry about the Sheraton being so new, that's what's makes it so nice! It actally was another hotel that closed down and they renovated it. All of the gardening is beautiful, it's actally kind of fun to see it in the new stages and compare to next year. There are still hugh magnolia trees, fruit trees and hibiscus bushes everywhere. It's soooooo beautiful! If you like dogs, I would recommend packing some dog food, we wish we would have. The locals seem to take good care of most of them but they still know where to beg. The owner of Alfredo's doesn't like the dogs being there but since we liked them he did'nt care. The same 4 dogs every night, one is 12 years old named Bell-soooooo cute and knows how to beg!You can tell I am an animal lover! Also the birds are really neat, I fed them on my deck along with the roosters and chickens. The locals like the winter months the best so April-August. The wind is cooler and it doesn't rain. So you are going at a good time. I went during low season, and probably will again since we like that there is nobody around. Feel free to ask as much as you want, I love talking about it! It's such good memories!

Hi Amy, <BR>Thanks for your reply - I'm getting so excited for my trip. It sounds like your experience in Moorea was amazing. I hope I am as lucky!!! I spoke with my travel agent today about the price of the package to the Sheraton. Although it was about what I expected, I am wondering if I should at least research the more moderate places to stay. I certainly don't want to take any chances, but on the other hand, it would be nice to have some extra money for all the excursions, activities, spa services, etc. What are your thoughts? Did you see any hotels that looked nice that were also central to the good restaurants, etc.? My travel agent suggested Sofitel, but I know that's on the other side of the island, and there are not many restaurants over there, so I nixed that idea. I would just appreciate your opinion, since you were just there and got a good feel for the island. Thank you!!! <BR>Holly <BR>

Amy, <BR>I am also interested to hear if you saw or got any feedback from the locals about other hotels on Moorea. My finance and I just booked our honeymoon in June at the Parkroyal Beachcomber, after being talked out of the Sheraton by our travel agent (he said he thought it was too new and had less private bungalows), but we still might change back to the Sheraton. Also, we both love snorkeling and are planning to do quite a bit of it while we are there, but to be honest - some of the fish you mention kind of scare me! Were you comfortable snorkeling - and do you think two amateur snorkelers would feel okay? Any information you have to offer is greatly appreciated! <BR>Thanks, <BR>Another Amy

I got to know a lot of the locals and got their opinions, although like I said it is heresay. They say that the #1 resort is now the Sheraton. Per other message boards there are people that still prefer the Beachcomber or sofitel. Honestly I don't think you can go wrong at any of these hotels. All are pretty in the middle of nowhere and need to take a taxi to restaurants. The lagoons are beautiful everywhere, although the sofitel has the most beautiful beach. It is public so you can go there even if you don't stay there. You being an amateur snorkeler will love the fish. Just remember they are more afraid of you My passion is sharks, don't worry you don't see them often in the lagoon. If you do they are baby sharks. I searched for all of the different fish I saw and probably spent 5 hours a day in the ocean. HELPFUL hint! You may want to invest in a good snorkel. This will determine if you like snorkeling or not. The mask and fins they provide are fine, but I wouldn't allow my husband to use their snorkel, I gave him mine from home. Good equipment can really make or break you. Difference being mine has 2 vents to get rid of water and theirs one. It really matters! I couldn't wait for my husband to get waterlogged so I could get mine back after using theirs, yuck! <BR>It's really awesome though. I need to stress there really isn't much to do besides relax!!! <BR>Amy

Amy, <BR>What did you think of the beach front bungalows versus the garden ones at the Sheraton? There is a rather large difference in price and we can't figure out if it's worth it to us to be closer to the beach. Are the garden ones very far from the beach? Also, I heard from one of the travel boards that the beach ones seemed less private...don't know what to think. If you have any thought to share, thank you!

Hi other Amy! <BR>I actually might have been the one saying the beach ones are less private. I truly feel it doesn't matter. People will swear by the OTW ones but I spent most of my time sitting on the pier in my bathrobe feeding the fish and saved a lot of money. Plus I got to know a lot of the employees this way since I wasn't hidden in my bungalow's porch. If you can ask for #37, that is the one we got and were charged for a garden bungalow, although you could see the beach and were right next to the pool (bordered by a stone wall and flowers-trust me it was very private still!)I have a map of all of the bungalows but unfortunately don't have a scanner. We were literally steps from the beach. Have fun plannig, it's fun but hard isn't it!