South Pacific for honeymoon?
Dec 5th, 2002, 08:09 AM
#1
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South Pacific for honeymoon?
My fiance and I are in our early 40's, we are trying to decide on where to spend our honeymoon. We may even marry at our honeymoon destination if it is a country in which we can do that, we really have so many options. But utmost we want it to be special and romantic. Neither of us has been to the South Pacific before and need alot of advice on islands, resorts, etc. We have heard there is nothing like it. We love low key relaxing locations, beauty and beaches, minimal children, we can afford something on the higher end. Any advice would be great, because this is the beginning of our research... thank you!
Dec 5th, 2002, 08:15 AM
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We loved French Polynesia. We went to Tahiti (don't spend much time there), Moorea (loved it) and Bora Bora (the most unbelieveable place on earth). They were all quiet, minimal children - very French. Loved it. In a couple weeks, we're going to Fiji - but I don't know anything about that place yet........ My vote would be FP.
Dec 5th, 2002, 08:40 AM
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I agree with Debi that Bora Bora is unbelieveable (though Aitutaki is pretty inpressive too). From what you say you want, either French Polynesia or the Cooks would suit you nicely (I imagine you would like Fiji too). These are beautiful, quiet places perfect for the laid-back type of trip you describe. It is a surreal experience to be out half a mile or more from the nearest land and be standing in crystal-clear aquamarine water 4 feet deep (with little or no waves) - just you, the water and the sky - Mother Natures' perfect swimming pool. It really makes you feel tiny and overawed by the beauty of it all. <BR><BR>Photos if you care to take a look:<BR><BR>http://community.webshots.com/user/lordbalfor<BR><BR>Ken<BR><BR>PS: Keep in mind that NO photos do these places justice.
Dec 5th, 2002, 08:55 AM
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Let the research commence......I literally have searched the world over between our travels and places we have wanted to visit and I think the Sout Pacific is it. Everywhere else I just got a "this would be very nice" feeling, but I just went and checked out Le Meridien's web site for Bora Bora, and my heavens...I just felt, amazed. This looks like what we have been seraching for, now the narrowing down of choices. What month to go in, we really can go at any time. I really have to do my homework, I have no knowledge of this area... this is the fun part... thanks to all of you that would like to give your input. This place just exudes romance, doesn't it?
Dec 5th, 2002, 09:15 AM
#6
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Bora Bora had water that was the most amazing color I have ever seen in my life..... We stayed at Le Meridien in BB in one of the over water bungalows....It was magical. It was quiet, slow paced, beautiful beach, great snorkeling - and enough things to do for entertainment - at your own pace. We went in February. We were there for Valentine's Day - If I remember, we went in Late January - we were there for about 3 weeks.... The other islands are also supposed to be wonderful....
Dec 5th, 2002, 09:22 AM
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You might purchase the current (December) issue of Islands magazine. There are lots of South Pacific photos in this particular issue (I just bought it today). The inside back cover has a nice aerial shot of Rarotonga, while the front inside cover has some nice photos of the Bora Bora Pearl Beach. The article "Islands for Beach Bums" has a drop-dead gorgeous photo of the motu "One Foot Island" on Aitutaki on the title page (more or less the same exact location as several of the shots in my Webshots "Aitutaki" album, but of course much, much better. A few other shots of these areas are peppered throughout.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip planning and (especially) your upcoming vacation. We are likely headed back to that part of the world in 18 months.<BR><BR>Ken<BR><BR>PS: You might also check out the Tahiti Explorer board (http://tahiti-explorer.com/). It's probably the best information source for trips to French Polynesia. It's very active with lots of posts each day and gobs of knowledgeable posters more than willing to offer up helpful advice. The only downsides are that it is run by a specific travel company that doesn't allow any posts that might possibly direct people to their competition, and the fact that some of the posters tend to "have an attitude" and turn a little nasty from time to time.<BR><BR>For the Cooks, check out Lonely Planet's "Thorn Tree" site (http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/th...;Start=pacific). <BR><BR>Those 2 site (plus this one) are 3 of the best sources of information on the South Pacific area.
Dec 5th, 2002, 09:52 AM
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Kate: The rack rates for overwater bungalows are pretty pricey (Average 400 - 600 USD/night - or more), but it's not quiet so high if you book a package deal. If you're Costco member you might check out their website, they offer some terrific deals to French Polynesia - though their still not cheap mind you. <BR><BR>Ken
Dec 5th, 2002, 10:11 AM
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Most folks prefer to travel to the South Pacific during their winter months (June - September). The weather is cooler then (not as humid) and dryer (so there's less chance of rain). The downside is that it is more expensive and busier and the water is a little cooler. In the evenings you might occasionally need a light sweater (mainly because of the constant tradewinds). <BR><BR>Personaly, We prefer to head down there in late-March/early April. I'd much rather leave home when the weather here is cold and nasty than when it's warm. It makes the experience of basking in the warmth all the more pleasant. Also, we really like the water to be very warm, so heading there at the end of their summer suits us well.<BR><BR>Ken
Dec 5th, 2002, 10:40 AM
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Thanks. If you have the time and the inclination, you might check out the trip reports/photo albums on the Tahiti-Explorer website I mentioned above. Also, I (along with several others have posted a number of trip reports/reviews on Epinions.com (mine are under the name of LordBalfor - http://www.epinions.com/user-lordbalfor) on these areas. Several of my reports on that site contain a number of (what I found to be) useful URL's to some great websites. <BR><BR>Also, this is a site with some AMAZING French Polynesia photos that make great computer wallpaper:<BR><BR>http://www.tahitisouvenirs.com/IndexEN.htm<BR><BR>You can find them uder "Gallery", then "Wallpapers". The really nice shots are under the "Scenic" category. Take note that there are some Polynesian "poster girl" type photos on this site, so if you are offended by nudity, you might want to avoid that particular category.<BR><BR>If you have any other questions, feel free to write (this is something of a hobby of mine, so it's really no trouble to answer whatever questions I can).<BR><BR>Ken
Dec 6th, 2002, 07:49 AM
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My vote is for Fiji. If you can afford the higher end resorts, the outer private island resorts have all you are asking for minus the amount of people on Moorea & Bora Bora with all the 4WD tours & shark feeding tours & snorkeling tours etc. Don't get me wrong, FP is great & if you have never been I am sure it will not seem busy but once we went to the Fijisn islands, we knew there was no going back. They are all worth visiting; FP, the Cooks, Samoa, Fiji, so you can't really make a mistake. I just found the friendliness of the Fijians, the beauty & privacy of the outer islands & the outstanding resorts perfect. We saw weddings at Turtle Island & Namale & Vatulele. Fantastic. We got married on a catarman at sunset in the lagoon off Bora Bora in 1987. BUT do not go through all the red tape to try to marry in FP, all documents have to go though US (if you are in the US)courts & now I don't even think it is possible. You can get married in Fiji, no problem. It was so much better to us than to attempt a ceremony at home since it was second marriages & we wanted something completely different. That was even before "island weddingmoons" became real popular. Well just my 2 cents. Don't overstress yourself trying to decide, they are all beautiful places.
Dec 6th, 2002, 08:32 AM
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We worked through a local travel agent here - but she worked through Islands in the Sun from FP. Everything was great..... They are the ones that told us we had to go to Moorea first, then BB - when I asked them why, they said you'll see, trust me. I'm glad to see the comment that Fiji is better - since we'll be there over Christmas... I can give you an update after that. There are many posts on this board about the various hotels on the islands.... I think they're probably all good. The one thing we're really glad we did - although it was expensive - was having overwater bungalows in Moorea and BB. I wouldn't recommend it in Tahiti (but you will probably not be spending much time there, anyway.) I think the previous poster is right about trying to marry in FP - I think it probably would be extremely difficult (and not worth the stress). I do see posts about marriages in Fiji, however..... We got married in Las Vegas - it was fabulous (the Bellagio....) Our families flew in with a bunch of our friends - what a great time...
Dec 6th, 2002, 10:12 AM
#16
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I have been to FP twice. There are children but not much, least of all American children. Regarding all inclusive, it probably does not apply to you but just check out as a passing interest since the food there is very expensive. At least you have looked at two EXPENSIVE options knowing that you have looked at both ways and they were both expensive. Bora Bora is unbelievable, atoll enclosing emerald blue lagoons with mountains in the middle.<BR>You mentioned you have not been to SP, but been abroad? I have noticed that diehard American resort folks do not necessarily like the FP hotels or services.
Dec 9th, 2002, 04:24 AM
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Thanks to all for your great responses. Greg, why do you think that is that alot of diehard American resort folks don't like the FP hotels. Again, I have never been, so I am trying to research everything, I would appreciate your candor. And anyone else too if they have heard this...
Dec 9th, 2002, 05:06 AM
#18
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We love resorts of all kinds - and we are American - but we still loved FP. In Moorea, we stayed at the Beachcomber - which we loved even though it was older, had no A/C (didn't really need it) and was in need of a bit of a face lift. I would still recommend it because everyone was so great, and sitting out on the deck watching a canoe approach with your breakfast to be served on your deck was such an amazing experience..... I understand the hotel has recently had alot of renovations - so I'm sure it's been updated, but we still thought it was wonderful. The Le Meridien in BB - that's the most amazing place we've ever stayed in our life (and we travel quite a bit.....). It was breathtaking. If anyone is the kind where they expect instant service and get a bit rude when they don't get it - well, FP and many other places, would probably not be enjoyed. The pace in FP is slower in general - and was wonderful..... Many French people come there for vacation - so learning a few key french phrases is quite helpful...and I think appreciated.
Dec 11th, 2002, 06:15 AM
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We stayed at the Sofitel Motu in Bora Bora two years ago. I believe it is the most beautiful hotel on the "island" - of course most of the lovely hotels aren't on the island at all but on the motu surrounding the island. The Sofitel Motu is actually on its own small island - complete with a lovely hill and its own reef (the nicest on Bora Bora) - in between the island of Bora Bora and the Motu. It was only a two minute boat ride from the main island and directly across from one of the tiny villages - and the Motu staff was ready to ferry you across to the island at any time and at a moments notice - day or night or even 5:00 am in the morning (because of the time change and so much to do during the day - we were up early. There isn't that much to do at night besides enjoy the stars - The Southern Cross- have wonderful romance and sleep). Food costs were never a problem for us because we could go to the island early in the morning for fresh fruit and baked french bread and pastries. We were always busy during the day (riding bikes around the island, scuba diving, swimming with the rays, kayaking around the motu) - so we would just go to the market for picnic lunch foods. At dinner we ate at the different small restaurants in the village for very reasonable prices. We only ate twice at the Motu - the food and the view were terrific - but it was pricey. The Motu has only 20 rooms, and most are over the water. The island is restricted to Sofitel Motu guests. The view is fabulous. Our overwater bungalow was beautiful. It had a glass window (with a light you could turn on at night) to view the fish swimming below. Our deck had an upper level that was covered and a lower sundeck - complete with a ladder into the water and an outdoor shower. The Staff was fabulous. We were picked up by a small motor boat (just the two of us) at the airport - decked in flowers and ferried around the island to the hotel dock. Here we were met with fresh juice, a singer playing a ukeleli, warm wet wash cloths and a bag of snorkle gear. We were taken directly to our room (at 9:00 am) and were checked in there by the concierge - no stop at a centralized reception desk here! It was wonderful!!!! Have a great time!
