P1Fanatic

Went to the maldives earlier this year and fancy something similarly tropical in 2006. Was scouting around and seen some links to Bora Bora and Tahiti which look really nice.

Has anyone been and if so what is there to do there?

Cheers,
Simon.

P1Fanatic

I guess not

Simon.

Ember

Can't say I have, but I'm tempted by Roratonga (Cook Islands).

subevo

thinking of the maldives myself can you recommend it.

RichardS2005

Yup - went there on my honeymoon June 2003.

Bora Bora is beautiful, really magical, definitely one of those places you just have to go and see! Tahiti was ok, beautiful but we didn't really have time to explore as we only stayed a night on the flight out. Weather was good for us, it rained the first day we landed at BB but after that it was fine.

Pluses
- Outstanding natural beauty
- Sea life, quality of the water etc
- Swimming with sharks/manta rays
- Good food try bloody mary's (but can be pricey)
- Very romantic (lots of honeymooners)
- Lots of very nice hotels/resorts

Minuses
- Long flight (half a world away - we spent 10 days in the USA prior to flying to FP)
- Expensive as everything is imported
- It is *French* Polynesia so staff can have a bit of an attitude...but most people are very nice
- It wasn't really hot, if your after 30+deg c

We will definitely go back 2nd honeymoon type of thing and might try one of the less developed islands.

At BB unless you really want to be alone, stay on a resort on the island itself not on a motu. If not you will have to get a boat ride everytime you want to get to the island, at night for example. Also get a overwater cabin as far from the land as possible as locals tend to have barking dogs and cockrels...

I found a site called boraboraforless I think, I'll dig up the URL as hotels were much cheaper through them. We stayed at the Sofitel which is the first resort in BB but the newer ones are probably much nicer (although it was still v nice)

Any questions just ask?

Cheers

Richard

RichardS2005

The url is http://pacific-for-less.com/fpres2.shtml

P1Fanatic

Yep for sure. Without doubt the best place I have visited. I will defo be going back but not sure if this year.

Utter relaxation. If your a 24*7 party animal or person who has to be doing activities the whole holiday then maybe its not for you. However if you just want to chill and get some sun then its awesome. There are big islands with more to do and smaller ones with that more natural feel and less people.

Here are some pics from when I went in april 2005:

http://community.webshots.com/album/331889385bERABr

Any more questions then let me know.

Simon.

P1Fanatic

Cheers for that. When you say it isnt that hot I assume its hot enough to get a tan - just not blisteringly hot? Is that all year round?

They filmed Series 4 of Survivor (US one) in the Marquesas Islands. Didnt realise that was in French Polynesia until today.

Simon.

RichardS2005

Yup average year round temp of around 25. It was between 25 and 27 deg c while we were there and water was lovely! Sun is strong so you can lie there all day without burning, but I'm eurasian so not too bothered about tanning.

jonc

Two things spring to mind:

1. Nuclear test site
2. Godzilla

...that didn't help did it? I'll get my coat.....

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

I was thinking the same thing

P1Fanatic

Holiday was put on the back burner for a while but back looking now. Bora Bora is looking hard to beat at the mo. Just need to find a reasonable deal as everything seems extorionate so far.

Simon.