TAHITI T e islands of French Polynesia are a spectacular collection of volcanic atolls strewn across the tranquil Pacifi c Ocean, and the island of Tahiti is the largest of all 118. Called the “Queen of the Pacifi c,” the royal moniker is appropriate—and you’ll see why. Majestic, stately, and steeped in history, the island is synonymous with paradise.
Before embarking T e Gauguin, sample the bounty that Tahiti proff ers. As the ship awaits in the harbor, the capital city of Papeete off ers shopping, waterfront dining, nightlife, and sunsets that have inspired swoon-inducing romance for thousands of years.
HUAHINE It is the Society Islands’ ace up the sleeve. Often referred to as the Garden of Eden, it’s hard to envision a more idyllic setting. Seemingly untouched by the outside world, your fi rst port sets the stage for what is to come on this truly singular voyage.
Of all the ports you visit, you’ll always remember the warmth of the people of Huahine. It’s as if they can’t help but smile as they invite you to share the beauty they call home. Eight tiny villages spread over two islands encourage wandering. T e largest, Fare, is where you’ll fi nd local handicrafts and intimate eateries showcasing the true tastes of French Polynesia. You can also arrange underwater activities and guided tours of the islands’ many ancient temples and mythical sites.
Up for a little adventure? T e Gauguin’s Island Tour by WaveRunner excursion lets you access Huahine’s wild beauty front and center from a completely diff erent on-water perspective. Your guide will show you how to safely operate the WaveRunner, then off you go to zip about the lagoon. Safe, exciting, and a true adrenaline rush.
Bora Bora (OVERNIGHT) Spend two days here, inside the postcard looking out. With the castle-like centerpiece of Mount Otemanu soaring skyward, the "Romantic Island" offers a decadent display of endless blue skies, emerald waters, and colorful wildlife on land, sea, and air. Tuck a hibiscus fl ower behind your ear, go native, and surrender to
the fragrant breezes of one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations.
One of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll find in the South Pacific is the opportunity to stand in shallow waters as beautiful, playful (and harmless) stingrays swim around you. Do this on the Sharks & Stingrays Encounter shore excursion.
T e rays are accustomed to visitors and gently glide around you as your guide feeds them, and even holds them, giving you the chance to stroke their satiny skin. T is story will inspire disbelief every time you tell it.
RANGIROA Welcome to the largest atoll of the Tuamotus (and the second largest in the world). Take a few moments for your eyes to adjust to this color spectrum: from the deepest blue to green so pale it’s almost white (and a peacock’s worth of every color in between). Surrounded by two bodies of water, Moana-tea (Peaceful Ocean) and Moana-uri (Wild Ocean), Rangiroa’s lagoon invites you below the surface to snorkel or dive, or view from above by canoe, kayak, or glass-bottom boat. Rangiroa is also one of the world’s most coveted dive destinations: 240 tiny islets encircling a vast blue lagoon create a surreal marine habitat that must be experienced to be believed.
The Gauguin’s Black Pearl Farm excursion shows you how pearls are grown and harvested, and watch a grafter as he skillfully plies his trade. Or if you want to take advantage of this area's superior diving, embark on SCUBA Rangiroa, where divers explore the famed Tiputa Pass to possibly swim alongside hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and dolphins.
FAKARAVA T ey call it the "Island of Dreams," but you could never sleep through this. The second-largest of the Tuamotu atolls (second only to Rangiroa), Fakarava’s rectangular reef is home to a rich ecosystem, one of seven designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserves for the preservation of rare species. Above and below the water, it’s as if Mother Nature put on her best dress for you to admire and exclaim, “My. Aren’t you fetching.”
Naturally, Fakarava lures divers from all over the world. Take a peek below the surface. You may see barracudas, manta rays, eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and turtles playing in the dramatic coral landscape. On land, let the seabreeze guide you to the southern end of the lagoon, where you’ll fi nd a church made entirely of coral, built by missionaries in 1874.
AT SEA As T e Gauguin glides from the Tuamotu Archipelago toward the tranquil island of Taha’a, you will enjoy a full day at sea.
T ere is something innately glamorous about lounging on the deck of a ship as the horizon drifts past. Whether you are in a deck-side chaise with an appropriately tropical cocktail and an epic novel at the ready (or your favorite guilty-pleasure gossip magazines) or relaxing poolside and soaking up the sun, T e Gauguin was designed for your idle pleasure. A sea day is also a perfect time for a fi tness center workout followed by an indulgent spa treatment.
Your onboard hosts, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, are also at the ready with Tahitian dance lessons, hands-on traditional craft demonstrations, and an array of activities for all ages and tastes.
One more thing: Nothing has a greater wow factor than watching the spectacular Polynesian sunset from the deck, and you’ve got the best seats in the house.
Taha’a [Motu Mahana] Life is simple on this fl ower-shaped island, where orchids climb to take in the view and the air is sweet with vanilla and hibiscus. Most of the Tahitian vanilla prized by gourmets and gourmands comes from Taha’a; stock up during your visit. You’ll fi nd quiet roads perfect for bicycling and quaint villages perfect for island shopping, but Taha’a holds some surprises for you above and below the crystal lagoon. Off -the-charts snorkeling and diving are a given. Pillowy mountains, fertile valleys, and sparkling beaches will vie for your exploration, whether it’s a visit to a vanilla plantation, hiking ancient trails, or a guided 4x4 trek into the island’s lush jungle.
Paul Gauguin Cruises |
www.pgcruises.com
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