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| Cruising into Taha'a |
I must confess, this was my second time cruising through Tahiti on the m/s Paul Gauguin. (The first time was in 2001 and I loved it so much I knew I had to come back!) So I already knew that my favorite day was "Motu Monday". Motu Monday is a "Robinson Caruso" kind of day, spent on Paul Gauguin's private island just off of Taha'a.
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| Cruising to Taha's (Bora Bora in back) |
To get there, we pulled up anchor in Raiatea and cruised slowly over to Taha'a. No matter where you look, the scenery is amazing. On one side of the ship you can look over to see Bora Bora in the distance. On the other side, you see the beautiful island of Taha'a. It is so beautiful, it's actually almost impossible to understand and believe that it's real!
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| Paul Gauguin's Motu!! |
There are several shore excursions on Taha'a, and it is possible to enjoy a shore excursion and also spend time on the motu! (Click here to see PG's shore excursions!
http://www.pgcruises.com/excursions/default.aspx ) Since I had been here before, I opted to do just a full day on the motu. And a full day is not long enough!! The motu is staffed with Paul Gauguin's gracious employees, who bring you water, cook you lunch, mix cocktails, serve you coconut water in coconuts, offer you kayaks.... it's just truly an amazing, enjoyable day!
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| Vow renewal on Motu! |
One couple had opted to enjoy their vow renewal (after 17 years!) on the Motu. The Paul Gauguin staff can arrange weddings or vow renewals on the ship or several different places / choices throughout the cruise. The motu of course is the perfect place for that wedding or vow renewal in paradise! The ship's captain and the cruise director performed the ceremony -- and of course the staff did an amazing job of setting up the "venue".
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| Happy Couple! |
After the ceremony, they enjoyed cake and champagne before taking that celebratory dip in the South Pacific!! What better way to "seal" your commitment?!
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| Strolling around the motu! |
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| The Stunning Intercon Thalasso |
It might be a slight exaggeration to say I cried shamelessly when we left the motu, but I was clearly very sad! However, Bora Bora was our next stop (2 days!) so at least I had something to look forward to! We planned a day to the stunning Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa. This is also a day trip you can book as a shore excursion. The resort is all over the water villas and offers stunning views wherever you are!
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| The pool and beach. |
The resort truly is a paradise and again, their amazing Concierge (Laure Salabert) and her team go out of their way to make your stay as spectacular as possible. And oh my goodness, the Spa.....
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| View from the Wedding Chapel |
The Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa is also a fabulous place for a wedding or vow renewal. There are several places on the property to get married on the beach with a view, or they have a stunning chapel built out over their lagoon....again with amazing views. The team will put together an unforgettable service to say your "I Do's" in paradise.
I can't say enough about this property.... and... if time and budget allow, I highly recommend actually adding a few extra days pre or post cruise for a stay at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa. It will truly be some of the best days of your lives!!!
And I forgot to mention, the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa also has a honeymoon registry where you can register for the items and activities of your honeymoon at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa as your wedding gifts! Check it out!
http://www.honeymoonregistryborabora.com/
For more information on the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa you can visit their site at
http://tahiti.intercontinental.com/
Tomorrow's post.... Day 2 Bora Bora.
If you need help booking your Paul Gauguin cruise or your stay at the Intercontinetal Bora Bora Thalasso Resort and Spa, please email us at info (at) honeyluna.com and we will connect you with one of our expert travel agent partners to help you!
