Our Paul Gauguin Tahiti Experience in Depth Part 2
(388 Reviews)
98% Recommended
Pam MacIntyre
Maple Grove, MN
Australia & New Zealand Specialist
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't wa...
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't want to experience this majestic part of the world?
Recently I was able to explore several areas of this amazing country, being fortunate in visiting both the North & South Island. What I love is New Zealand can be mellow or action-packed, yet it will still always be epic!
From the endless national parks, dynamic Maori culture, to experiencing the sounds aboard a yacht while gazing upon dolphins. And let’s not forget about laying witness to the majestic beauty of a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura.
Wait, did you say you enjoy wine? They have some of THE best in the world....how do I know? Because how could I go all the way to New Zealand and not visit a winery or two. New Zealand offers the deliciousness of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot and many more!
I really could go on and on, but no need if you're reading this you already KNOW you want to explore this part of the world. I would love to help you create the best version of New Zealand for you!
Australia
Let me start by saying, I have been wanting to go to Australia since I was a child. Why you ask? Well to pet a kangaroo of course! And I did! Not only did I pet kangaroos, but I fed 4 simultaneously! It was a childhood dream come true, and I cannot wait to go back and repeat the experience.
I was in Sydney during the spectacular International lights and music festival, Vivid Sydney. It was their 10th year, and all I've got to say is WOW! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. Although being from Minnesota it was more like our fall temperatures. So again, perfect! It was extra special to experience VIVID Sydney and see the iconic Sydney Opera House light up. If you travel during this time of year, it truly is a must see.
The Blue Mountains region of Australia was truly lovely to walk amongst. Then headed to Hunter Valley (to locals known as "The Hunter") where wine in this region was flowing plentifully and was quite delicious!
After making a visit to Australia I now understand why many choose to go there for 2 - 4 weeks on a vacation. It's truly hard to grasp the sheer size of Australia until you have been there yourself. To give you an idea, think about the USA. Sydney would be in Florida; Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine; Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas; Melbourne would be New Orleans; and Perth would be Los Angeles.
If you're looking to visit the world's largest Great Barrier Reef, immerse yourself in Aboriginal communities, swim with whale sharks or gaze upon the Uluru (Ayers Rock) the possibilities really are endless in Australia!
Together we'll create your dream trip to Australia that you'll remember for the rest of your days!
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Taha'a Private Island, Photo taken by Pam 2/20
Day 5:
On to famous Bora Bora! We went on the 4x 4 off-road safari that took us up the hills for spectacular views! If you're not big on off-roading, you may get a bit nervous as there are some pretty steep inclines going up. We personally had no issues and never felt unsafe. Our guide had a great sense of humor and was very knowledgeable about Bora Bora’s history, traditions, cultures, and island life. He stopped to pick some starfruit for us to try which I was hesitant but I liked the flavor and it was refreshing.
A few other favorite excursions are: Lagoonarium, Lagoon & Polynesian Feast or Sunset Cruise by Outrigger Canoe. You could also try one of the snorkeling trips to get up close to the marine life.
I joined in on making a picture frame Christmas Ornament, with seashells. This one was actually pretty fun and am glad that I was open to sitting in on these type things.
This evening we enjoyed The Beatles Show ... it was a fun take by some of the locals!
Day 6:
Still docked in Bora Bora, we went on what we like to call “No Frills Beach Day.” There’s no bar or food here, outside of a cooler with sodas & water. We enjoyed the secluded feel without interruption from other guests, as many are off on a shore excursion. We had some stingrays swim past us. Stingrays have no predators in this area so it’s the only place in the world they are debarred.
Insider Tip: Bring a big cup from home that you can have filled with a cocktail before heading out.
I joined in on making seed earrings & bracelets. Then after this class I got a temporary Polynesia tattoo. Just in time for the Polynesian show that evening!
There was a Polynesia Show in the evening. It’s important to review the schedule because they do have locals on board certain days that will make you a Tahitian Headpiece/Flower Crown for women and flower lei for men. While tipping is not often customary in Tahiti, it is suggested you offer them money for this. It's very much appreciated and once you see the detail and process of this, you will want to give them a tip—so be sure to have it at the ready!
Day 7:
We arrived in Moorea. We were pretty laid back this day, just enjoyed lounging on the ship. Today I made a feather headpiece for myself and a few others made wind chimes. We mostly lounged around reading & having a few drinks.
A bit about Moorea though … the island has plenty to offer You can enjoy a quaint, charming shop or a hike or ATV ride into the lush tropical mountainside for breathtaking views. Popular shore excursions on Moorea are: Aito Off Road Safari, BBQ on Motu, Snorkeling or a Dolphin Watching Expedition. This island offers a great variety of options to check out.
Day 8:
We enjoyed our second day in Moorea, relaxing and participating in a few activities on the ship. If you prefer to head onto the island though there is so much to experience, if you spent the day before in the water, venture inland on ATV’s, E-bikes or rent a car … the views from the top of Moorea are spectacular.
Day 9:
The cruise has now come to a close ... what an incredible experience! We decided to spend a last night in Tahiti before heading back to reality. We stayed at Manava Suite Tahiti Resort. Our last day then we headed to the Marché de Papeete market. Even if you're not a shopping person, this is a sight to see! Definitely not something you'd see everywhere. A few of the more popular items to purchase are: Monoi Oil (Fantastic for your skin!), Tahitian Vanilla (Some of the best in the world), Tahitian Pareo's, Black Pearls, Mother of Pearl, local artwork and wood carvings.
Outside of our last day which was very rainy ... we couldn't have asked for better weather!
I hope you enjoyed hearing about our experience with Paul Gauguin. Paul Gauguin set the bar for my service expectations … hands down one of the single best service experiences I've had with over 20 years of extensive traveling! It was remarkable their ability to always remember not just our drink orders, but our names. The entire time we were "Sir Bob & Ma'am Pam". It was an unforgettable vacation and we hope to board one of their ships again in the future. The question is … Are you ready to set sail on your own personal Paul Gauguin Journey?