AT SEA It is highly probable that the extraordinary sights, sounds, and tastes that you experience on this voyage will awaken your creativity. Such beauty needs to be expressed. On deck, as the otherworldly South Pacific landscape floats by, you may be tempted to throw your arms open wide and burst into song. If you’re looking for a less vocal display of delight, you might consider sketching or painting—Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins are at the ready to share their passion for Polynesian arts and crafts. Make a basket out of coconut palm leaves, learn the ancient art of tapa, make your own jewelry with natural materials found on the islands, craft a bookmark out of indigenous pandanus leaves, and more. You’ll return home with a one-of-a-kind memento of this extraordinary voyage.
Bora Bora (OVERNIGHT) Famous. Exquisite. Adored. Breathtakingly beautiful. Te supermodel of the South Pacific, you’ve seen countless photos and magazine covers of Bora Bora. Your pulse will race as you approach one of the most storied islands in the world—and you will find that photographs can’t even begin to do her justice.
Your best course of action is to simply surrender to the considerable charms of this island. With so many things to do and see, you will easily fill your two days here. First, there’s the water. Dazzling, warm, and inviting, Bora Bora’s lagoon offers a cinematic below-the-surface experience for diving and snorkeling. Above: sailing, kayaking, jet boating, waverunner tours—the list goes on and on.
And if you must dry off, there are guided hikes, 4x4 excursions, and ancient temples to explore.
Te Bora Bora Off-Road Adventure excursion embraces this iconic island’s natural beauty in an exciting exploration along roads less traveled. Highlights include visiting the small town of Vaitape, seeing cannons from WWII, and traveling along Bora Bora’s north shore for a visit to the lush valley of Fa’anui. Te journey concludes with spectacular views and photo opportunities of Fa’anui Bay.
It may surprise you that an island so vibrant by day is, by contrast, very quiet after sundown. Brace yourself for a ravishing sunset. It’s hard to imagine a setting more conducive to romance.
Taha’a [Motu Mahana] You’ll know it’s near by the intoxicating scent of Tahitian vanilla lingering in the air (80 percent of French Polynesian vanilla is grown here). Te tranquil island of Taha’a is not a mirage, but it sure seems like one. Volcanic hillsides burst with banana, watermelon, and pineapple. Nature’s bounty is matched by the opportunity for adventure. Accessible only by boat, you’ll see the mythical island of Bora Bora from the northwest coast; and a stone’s throw across the lagoon, the tiny island of Raiatea gives a friendly wave.
Just offshore of Taha’a lies Motu Mahana. A motu is a tiny island, and Mahana is Te Gauguin’s own private slice of paradise, exclusive to her guests. Beneath swaying palm trees, the day is yours to create. Snorkel surrounded by Technicolor fish. Grab a kayak for a bit of exploring. Ashore, you might join
a game of volleyball or watch your hosts, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, demonstrate how to open a coconut or tie a pareo. Indulge in an overwater massage. And when the mood strikes, a sumptuous barbecue feast awaits, complete with cocktails from the floating bar.
Moorea (OVERNIGHT) Tere are no two ways about it—French Polynesia is home to some of the most stunning locales on Earth. What you will discover is that while Moorea has a beauty uniquely its own, it shares the same attributes as other islands: Crystal-clear blue lagoon? Check. Stunning landscape? Check. Off-the-charts snorkeling and diving, ample opportunities for adventure on land or sea? Check, check, check.
Immerse yourself in this natural wonderland on the Dolphin Watching Expedition. Tis combination eco-tour and research journey led by world-renowned dolphin and whale expert—marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole— focuses on the wild, free-ranging dolphins within Moorea’s reef. Accompanying Poole’s fascinating commentary about their remarkable life and society at sea, you’ll see schools of acrobatic spinner dolphins playing against Moorea’s dramatic beauty. Time permitting, you may be able to experience the dolphin’s view of the island with a swim or snorkel directly from the ship.
PAPEETE, Tahiti And so it is time to return to where you began: Papeete. Although it has been less than two weeks since you first set sail, this journey has created a lifetime’s worth of experiences and memories. Enjoy one last night on board your floating home before disembarking in the morning.
Cook Islands & Society Islands Roundtrip Papeete, Tahiti
11 NIGHTS from $5,800 per person Includes 30% Early Bonus Savings*
2024 SAILING DATES:
January 13; February 14; April 13; May 18; November 30, 2024
*See page 79 for Terms & Conditions
Paul Gauguin Cruises |
www.pgcruises.com 51
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
