If you're interested in ways to help preserve coral reefs and ocean ecosystems, you can Donate to the Project AWARE Foundation, the dive industry's leading nonprofit environmental organization that works to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action... and you don't even have to be a diver to contribute or take action! If you're a shark lover like me, you may even be interested in adopting a shark.

My boyfriend and I took a trip to French Polynesia which is the most amazing, dreamy, unbelievably gorgeous place I've ever seen. We went to two of the islands, Tahiti and Bora Bora. It was an exceptionally exotic experience, more like a dream, actually... I dream I never wanted to wake up from! We flew into Papeete, located on the island of Tahiti and stayed one night at the Tahiti Sheraton. Then we spent one week on Bora Bora at this lovely resort called Le Meridien, which is located on the motu that surrounds the island of Bora Bora. The 'Society Islands', as they're called, are like jewels scattered across the South Pacific. If you ever make it to French Polynesia, you'll see why I had read that Bora Bora was the most beautiful island on earth, the most exotic, remote, sought after travel destination in the world. When we got off the plane from Tahiti and took our boat taxi to Le Meridien, I saw why people were saying that. I was just in awe. And I felt like the luckiest person in the world. The wind was warm and fragrant and the beaches were so perfect. The water was the most amazing color of turquoise I had ever seen and the vegetation was so pretty and abundant. And the sea life! Wow! See here. Our first day there we saw a turtle feeding. Le Meridien has a sea turtle sanctuary and we ended up swimming with the turtles quite frequently... quite the exotic treat! Here's a map of Tahiti.
The dining cabana has open air walls to the lagoon so we could watch the fish and turtles swim around while we ate, and if you ask me, you just can't beat that for ambiance! We even saw a stingray swim by our bungalow more than once on our walk up to the main lodge. What a surreal feeling. It just doesn't get better or more exotic than French Polynesia. Here's a map of Tahiti and Bora Bora. French Polynesia has several island chains and is located right around the Tropic of Capricorn in the South Pacific in what's known as the Polynesian triangle. The islands of French Polynesia include Tahiti, Ahe, Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Taha'a, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai. From what I understand, these islands enjoy warm, tropical weather all year. The winter season is May through October and severe tropical storms are not very common in the French Polynesian region. When we were there in January it was in the upper 80's and it felt like the 90's on some days. One of the islands, Taha'a is known for it's vanilla exports and it's said that Taha'a has vanilla scented breezes. French Polynesia is also world renowned for it's black pearl exports, too. I liked the fact that Bora Bora didn't seem very developed or populated. We really felt like we were far away from crowding and noise, like we were totally getting away from it all. That's one of the best

attributes of the South Pacific. It's very secluded, peaceful, and it feels very private. It's a lot of flying but it's definitely worth it. We weren't jet-lagged either, since French Polynesian time is only two hours behind Pacific Standard. There was lots to do and see around the island and the resort, and you never knew what you'd run into just around the corner... we bumped into this adorable island wedding ceremony. Click here to see some of it. We swam, snorkeled, attempted to play volleyball, took tons of photos, played with the sea creatures, frolicked, ate like kings, took a tour around the main island in a rental car, did a little shopping, and generally just soaked up the ecstatic aura of the light, the air, the coral reefs, and the amazing water and sea life. It was also nice to just float in the warm, perfect, shallow water and pretend to be an alligator.
And the food! Fresh island seafood buffets, authentic French cuisine, desserts served with an artistic flair on beds of hibiscus, banana leaf, and plumeria blossoms, the works. Le Meridien had a free breakfast buffet, too, which was nice. Did I mention the weather was gorgeous? Gorgeous and hot. Sometimes we'd be walking around and then WHSSSSSSSSH!!! The rain would come crashing down and that's not an exaggeration. It was like showering with your clothes on. But then it would clear up moments later and be hot again. Believe me, I was fine with it. The weather was part of the intrigue. We went on a shark and ray feeding (see here!) which was really something. I never thought I'd swim with sharks and feel safe, but they were just little black-tipped reef sharks. They were actually really cute and very fast. To get to the rays, we rode out to this huge sandbar platform (kind of like a giant saucer) right out in the middle of the ocean and stood in warm, shoulder-deep water amidst a slippery stingray frenzy. The rays were so cute and weird at the same time... and the water! There just aren't words. It seemed that the rays were even more curious about us than we were about them. They may have been squishy on the outside but I felt real soft 'n squishy on the inside. And what an honor. It was truly a next level spiritual high... as if I was in the very playground of the Gods themselves!

I think those tour guides have the best job in the entire world. Can you imagine?... having this (pictured at left) as your work place? Sure beats a cubicle! I think this is what I'd do if I had it to do all over again... move to Bora Bora and become an eco-tour guide and get paid to play with fish and sharks all day.

The Polynesian people were very friendly and respectful, too. I really enjoyed talking with them and it was pretty funny to see the looks on their faces when I tried to speak French at first. I was a bit rusty but they were very patient with me and most of them spoke English anyway. We sure enjoyed the Polynesian dance show, too. Click here to see some of first half and here to see some of the second half. It was colorful, energetic, lots of hip and tummy acrobatics, all that. Then the dancers picked some of the audience to come try it... as if we could even come close to moving our hips like that! My attempt was laughable at best but it was fun. After that we went out on the beach, laid on one of the boats and looked up at the stars. I think our vacation in Tahiti and Bora Bora was the closest thing to Heaven I've ever experienced. And that was only our first trip there! The whole resort was just fabulous and the landscaping looked so lush and natural. Our bungalow was what I like to call elegant and a little rustic, and surprisingly spacious inside... comfortable and intimate. It had a glass floor, a private deck, and a spiral staircase that went right into the sea! It was such a romantic, sweet feeling staying there. It was so quiet, tranquil, and peaceful. It was clean and stylish enough to feel pampered but not so fancy it took us away from the feeling of being close to nature and the elements.

At night the lights under the bungalow would be on and we could see the fish swimming by under our glass floor. Talk about an authentic French Polynesian experience! I would recommend treating oneself to the fascinating beauty of French Polynesia, especially Bora Bora, to anyone who is searching for a next level vacation. You'll never want to leave. Being in a place that intriguing changes you forever. The beauty of French Polynesia is so unbelievable, penetrating, and exotic, it left me with a sense of hope, inner glow, and elevated consciousness.

If you're interested in ways to help preserve coral reefs and ocean ecosystems, you can Donate to the Project AWARE Foundation, the dive industry's leading nonprofit environmental organization that works to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action... and you don't even have to be a diver to contribute or take action! If you're a shark lover like me, you may even be interested in adopting a shark.

Photos are below. Just click on any image to make it larger.

 

 

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