2noblecrows: Honeymoon Part Two: The Whole Shabang

Dear Kara...

I love all the skulls. I think I'll have to do one for Lions. I hope you are having a great time at LA Market and seeing lots of good Spring clothes!

I finally compiled my honeymoon pics and putting them together just made me wish I was still there! The trip was truly unforgettable and I for sure am going back. In hindsight I wouldn't have changed a thing except tried to have stayed for longer!

We stayed in French Polynesia the entire time and went to three different islands, Moorea, Bora Bora and La Taha'a. (All over the water bungalows!) French Polynesia is northeast of New Zealand. To get there we flew to LA and then LA to the capitol of Tahiti, Papeete, and then took a boat to Moorea. It took a long time to finally get the vacation started but it was worth it.

Moorea, meaning yellow lizard in Tahitian, is a very natural easy going island that is more of a European destination. We stayed at the Sofitel and our over water bungalow was adorable. The room was the a mix of beachy and art-deco. Our deck had beautiful view that we spent many hours on reading and watching the sunset. The water beneath us was only 4-5ft deep and was the most spectacular snorkeling. The area is dominated by coral and the biggest variety of tropical fish I have ever seen. One of the mornings we went for an ATV tour around the island. Lots of off-roading was involved so it was a true adventure. But most of the time we just spent our days "luxuriating" at the beach.

The Sofitel in Moorea

Luxuriating at the beach in Morea

ATV Tour, The upper right is a pineapple plant! (Moorea's largest export)

Dinner at the hotel, inclusive of dancers!

After Moorea we took a short flight to Bora Bora, where we stayed at the St. Regis. The St. Regis is where the movie Couple's Retreat was filmed and in the rooms they have the movie on repeat in English and French. It's hysterical. The St. Regis is the only hotel in French Polynesia where you get your own butler. (That was a nice bonus) Unlike Moorea or La Taha'a, the St. Regis is on a man-made island so everything is absolutely pristine. The water below our villa was over 15 ft deep so we were able to do dives, cannon balls and flips off our deck. (Downfall no cool tropical fish except in the man made lagoon) The food was excellent in Bora Bora. This is where we went to Villa Mahana (last post) and at the hotel was a Jean George restaurant, Lagoon. Once morning we took a boat out and saw massive whales! Then we swam with sharks. The babies were on the surface but the lemon sharks (8ft long) where about 12-15ft deeper. I was able to swim down and grab a dorsal fin and swim with one of the sharks! Of course afterwards the guide told these horrific stories of the sharks attacking! We also swam and fed stingrays. It was very cool.

Bora Bora St. Regis

Above are the private pools & below is the beach

Swimming with the stingrays and sharks!

Dinner at Lagoon. It was DELISH!

From Bora Bora we took another short flight to La Taha'a. La Taha'a was the most remote and secluded of all the islands. It reminded me very much of the Swiss Family Robinson. This resort was very unique. We had spa treatments everywhere we went but theirs were the most memorable. One of the messages had 4 huge shower heads pounding water on our backs while the masseuse gave a deep tissue message. It was amazing and afterwards we soaked in a jacuzzi overlooking a natural tranquil pond. Michael also organized a wedding ceremony and dinner for us on their motu. The ceremony was a traditional Tahitian ceremony and was really cool. Then we had a long dinner on the motu with a 9 piece band, 11 dancers and 1 dude that did all sorts of dangerous things with fire. The event was on our last night so it was a perfect way to close the trip!