Tahiti for 2 1/2 days ???
 

My fiance and I are going on our Honeymoon in April. Our schedule is as follows: 5 nights Moorea Beachcomber, 5 nights Hotel Bora Bora, and 2 1/2 Tahiti Beachcomber. (The half comes from that our flight leaves at 3am the 1/2 night!) We were only supposed to be in Tahiti 1 1/2 nights but our flight day got changed. <BR> <BR>I am a little worried about so much time on Tahiti. <BR> <BR>We basically arrive from Bora Bora on Thursday afternoon and leave Sat. night. I keep hearing there is NOTHING to do in Tahiti! We cannot afford to add another night on at Hotel Bora Bora...and we would have to shift everything (inter island Flights included) to add on to Moorea. Too much of a pain...also price would go up more. <BR> <BR>What should we do? Should we add on in Bora Bora regardless of the cost? There has to be some cool stuff in Tahiti! We were thinking of renting a car Friday and driving all around, Papeete, maybe Tahiti Iti...we hear that is very untouched. Any suggestions? I know most tourists skip over it, but there has to be something cool on the island? Does anyone know where you can go to see the double rainbow? <BR> <BR>Also anyone stayed at the Beachcomber on Tahiti since the renovations?? It looks really nice on the webpage!! Much nicer in fact than the other two on Bora Bora and Moorea...How is the hotel? Very luxurious? I figure if worst comes to worst we can sit in the pool bar tiki hut and drink tropical drinks! <BR> <BR>Suggestions???

Tahiti is not all that bad and the extra day can be fun. You get a chance to see the part of the islands away from tourists. Take a bus tour around the island. Spend some time poking around Papeete. I have even gone snorkling on Tahiti and saw some interest things. Go look at black pearls. There is lots to do such as dining in a local cafe. There is no question that the Hotel Bora Bora is the tops and world class. It is the only resort in that general area that rated in the top 25 in the Pacitic Rim by Conde Nast Traveler in 1999.

Tahiti seems to get a bad rap, mostly based on people's perception of Papeete. The island is very beautiful and picturesque. Look into taking one of the circle island tours (most tour books offer good information). Window shop, check out the many pearl shops, have lunch or dinner in one of the cafes in Papeete. If worse comes to worse, you could also lounge around the pool at the Beachcomber. They have a lovely - sandy bottom - pool. The hotel also offers many excursions.

Linda, I think you can get a lot out of a stay in Tahiti as long as you don't mind the hustle bustle, it is really not that bad. We enjoyed our few days stay there. We stayed in the middle of Papeete not far from the waterfront. We visited the colourful local market(leave buying souveniers until you get there), after dark we went down to the wharves where all the little vans (les roulettes)set up selling wonderful food which all the locals flock to (cheap and lots of fun). We also did the island circle tour where we went to the botanic gardens and Gauguin museum. Along the waterfront you will see yachts from all over the world as well as cruise ships. <BR>If you would like a link to my photo album of our FP holiday, let me know. <BR>Peg.

Peg - what hotel did you stay at in Central Papeete? Would you recommend it? How much did it cost? Was it easy to get to and from the airport? I'm there for 3 days later this month and I'd like to find a reasonably comfortable safe place to stay, but can't afford the top end hotels. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>Jane

Jane, We stayed at Hotel Le Mandarin, it was convenient and comfortable and only a short walk to the Market and wharf. It was about 3* and part of our package, so I'm not sure how much it cost. Peg. <BR>

I agree with the above posters. Even though Tahiti was not my favorite island, we actually felt like we had a little time to decompress before putting those "goodbye" shells around our neck. We went to a dance show the last night we were there (Tahiti) and just sat on the deck admiring the beautiful sunset and talking about what we had seen. I think you are fortunate to have a little extra time on your last day!

Peg, <BR> <BR>I would love to see your Photo's of FP!! Could you email them to me? Thanks so much! It is funny, someone mentioned having time to decompress in Papeete before going home...that is why we saved Tahiti for last! We thought it would be WAY to much of a culture shock to go from Bora Bora straight home! <BR> <BR>Thanks for all the advice on Tahiti! I will definately look into the circle Island tour, actually I would like to get a map of it so we could do it on our own. <BR> <BR>Linda

Linda, <BR>In the Lonely Planet guide 'Tahiti and French Polynesia there is a description of how you can do the circle using public transport (Le Truck) It also describes each of the features to look for. <BR>My photos are at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3732&a=1767095 <BR>Enjoy your holiday. <BR>Peg.

I agree with Peg - go visit the local market and the wharf with the eating vans. Take a ride on LeTruck and explore the island. Papeete is like any city - noisy, busy and grubby but it is polynesian and unique and that in itself is fun and interesting. Make the most of it.

I understand you concern about spending so much time in Tahiti AFTER being at the Hotel Bora Bora. It is bound to be a downer -- but only if you let it! The Beachbomber Parkroyal is a very nive hotel and, once you get away from Papeete, Tahiti is a beautiful island. Then, too, you are just a short ferry ride from Moorea, should you wish to return there. Best of all, the shopping in Papeete is really fun. Save all your shopping until you get there. You won't have to carry all that stuff around with youf rom island to island, and you can spend all your time in Moorea and Bora Bora doing the watersports thing.

Hi Linda, <BR>One thing you can find on Tahiti that you cannot find on the other island is a black sand beach. Sounds pretty cool to me, and from all I've investigated (and I've done ALOT) Tahiti is the best place to shop, their prices are simply the best, especially if you want to buy a black pearl.