jmr@philabs.UUCP (Joanne Renza) (05/30/85)
Anyone been to Tahiti? Which island(s) is best and can you recommend hotels? Any special things to do/see while there? Anything to avoid? Recommendations on restaurants, night life, etc... What about the weather at certain times of the year? We'll be going in early October. What is the recommended length of stay -- is two weeks too much, too little? We're traveling from New York, should we plan stop overs in California or somewhere to break up the flying time? By the way, what is the flying time to Tahiti, and what is the time difference from E.S.T.? Thanks in advance for your help. Joanne Renza Philips Labs send mail to: philabs!jmr
jmr@philabs.UUCP (Joanne Renza) (06/10/85)
Since my request for info on travel to Tahiti didn't get me any feedback from someone who has already been there -- I only heard from two people that are planning trips later this year -- I figured I would try again. How about Australia? or the Riviera (France, Spain or Italy)? I definitely want to visit these places someday, but is early October a good time? What is the weather like then, where is the best place to stay, what are the things you must see/do while there? etc... If these don't hit the mark with anyone, how about some suggestions for anyplace exotic that offers warm sunshine, beautiful beaches, some sightseeing (but not a lot), etc... for travel in early October. (I've already been to Hawaii and loved it and also to a few islands in the Caribbean, and want to try some place different this time). Thanks again in advance, Joanne Renza Philips Labs philabs!jmr p.s. Tahiti is still a good possibility, but I'd rather get insight from someone who has been there before -- if there is anyone out there that has.
vickyp@teklds.UUCP (Vicky Powe) (06/18/85)
> > > Since my request for info on travel to Tahiti didn't get me > any feedback from someone who has already been there -- I only > heard from two people that are planning trips later this year > -- I figured I would try again. > > > Joanne Renza > Philips Labs > > philabs!jmr > > > p.s. Tahiti is still a good possibility, but I'd rather get > insight from someone who has been there before -- if > there is anyone out there that has. My husband and I spent two weeks in Tahiti last October (last two weeks). We visited the islands of Raiatea, Bora Bora and Tahiti. I am VERY anxious to go again! A few "facts" of the area: The slow pace is a little hard to get used to for the first day. Shops close up in the heat of the afternoon and no one is in a hurry to do ANYTHING. Getting meals is a little tricky. We're so used to walking into a restaurant here at anytime and getting fed. No so there. Breakfast is usually 6:30 or 7 a.m. till 9 or 9:30; Lunch is 12 to 1:30 and dinner is 6:30 or 7 till 9. ONLY. But they have WONDERFUL food! The beef is imported from New Zealand and is the best I've ever had. The croissants are fresh and warm every morning and so is the fruit. Raiatea: Is one of the less traveled of the islands. While we were there, we saw only about 12 other guests at the Club Bali Hai where we were staying. No beaches here, so rent an overwater bungalow. We had a deck off of which we snorkeled. (Snorkeling EVERYWHERE was facinating!) Take the bus (VW van, actually) tour to see the large marae (ceremonial grounds) where the natives used to do human sacrifices. Bora Bora: Is the best island we were on. Next time we're staying longer here. Beautiful white sand beaches. This island has heavier tourist traffic, but not anything like Hawaii. We stayed at Hotel Bora Bora which was really nice. Big restaurant and lots of things to do and see. We especially enjoyed the "shark feeding" excursion in canoes. The natives also take you out to the reef (did I mention that these islands are surrounded by the barrier reef?). Anyway, the snorkeling is really fantasic here. I would also recommend the sunset cruise on the large catamaran that goes out each evening. We had the greatest time! Tahiti: I wasn't impressed with Tahiti itself. Maybe because it was the last island we visited and I was getting a little tired, but it didn't compare to Bora Bora and Raiatea. It has regular paved roads and traffic (mostly diesels, too). It did have a nice black sand beach, but snorkeling was out. The marketplace was interesting and riding their idea of the bus line (la truck) was fun. We went on a "Circle Island Tour" and saw where Cook landed, the Gaugin museum and some other sites, but I wouldn't stay longer than a couple days here. There are two other islands where we heard were good places to visit; Huihine (I'm not sure of spelling) and Rangiroa (lots of good beaches to beachcomb on). While there, we met lots of nice people from all over the world. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I hope this helps make up your mind. I would recommend a trip to French Polynesia highly. It certainly has been the best vacation we've had! Vicky Powe
johnr@fluke.UUCP (John Redfield) (06/25/85)
I tried to mail this but it didn't go through so forgive me posting > > Since my request for info on travel to Tahiti didn't get me > any feedback from someone who has already been there -- I only > heard from two people that are planning trips later this year > -- I figured I would try again. > > How about Australia? or the Riviera (France, Spain or Italy)? > I definitely want to visit these places someday, but is early > October a good time? What is the weather like then, where is > the best place to stay, what are the things you must see/do > while there? etc... > > If these don't hit the mark with anyone, how about some > suggestions for anyplace exotic that offers warm sunshine, > beautiful beaches, some sightseeing (but not a lot), etc... > for travel in early October. (I've already been to Hawaii > and loved it and also to a few islands in the Caribbean, and > want to try some place different this time). > > Thanks again in advance, > > Joanne Renza > Philips Labs > > philabs!jmr > > > p.s. Tahiti is still a good possibility, but I'd rather get > insight from someone who has been there before -- if > there is anyone out there that has. Organization: Philips Labs, Briarcliff Manor, NY Anyone been to Tahiti? Which island(s) is best and can you recommend hotels? Any special things to do/see while there? Anything to avoid? Recommendations on restaurants, night life, etc... What about the weather at certain times of the year? We'll be going in early October. What is the recommended length of stay -- is two weeks too much, too little? We're traveling from New York, should we plan stop overs in California or somewhere to break up the flying time? By the way, what is the flying time to Tahiti, and what is the time difference from E.S.T.? Thanks in advance for your help. Joanne Renza Philips Labs send mail to: philabs!jmr I was in Tahiti in 1981 for three weeks from the end of August into September. We stayed at the Tahara'a Hotel which is a half hour bus ride into Papete. It was a nice hotel and the people were wonderful. It is far away for the other tourist hotels though. If you like hiking on poor trails there is a beatiful lake up in the mountains that takes a day to hike round trip. There are also many beautiful waterfalls that you can hike into if you are adventurous. We flew to Bora Bora and stayed in the Hotel Bloody Mary which was very quaint and fairly reasonable. The island is small enough to bike around in an afternoon. There is not as much to do but the people were very friendly there. We took the Coconut boat back to Tahiti and slept on the decks as the cabins were filthy. That trip cost $11 as opposed to $70 for the plane. The boat stopped at Huihine and Riatea which were both beatifull but we only stayed an hour at each. I would have liked to spend more time on these islands as they were more undeveloped. We went to Moreea next and we were pretty tired by this time. The island is supposed to be the most beatifull and the terrain is but it appeared to us that the people don't like Americans very much, so we didn't have our best time there. This is a thumb nail sketch of our trip. If you have any questions send me some mail (I 'm not sure what my path name is but it shold be in the header). I hope you have a good time. We did. johnr at fluke (John M. Redfield)