Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

bumping b/c I hate to see this thread so far down!!!

Is anyone else DYING for CaMacho's review? Jess promised it would be very detailed - i think I check for it every 20 minutes! haha!
No pressure, Jess!!!

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

I am glad I am not the only one who checks 100 times a day for Camacho's review. I just started doing research for the honeymoon and am very interested in hearing about the Pearl Resorts. That is the hotel I am leaning towards the most right now.

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by KandE917

bumping b/c I hate to see this thread so far down!!!

Is anyone else DYING for CaMacho's review? Jess promised it would be very detailed - i think I check for it every 20 minutes! haha!
No pressure, Jess!!!

---

Oh i'm so sorry!!! I'm done writing it but just trying to add ALL the pics!!! It is 12 pages on word (with no pics) so how long is it going to be on here??? I think i'm going to post it on the Brides Review board so keep on the lookout!!!

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by CaMacho

---

Posted by KandE917

bumping b/c I hate to see this thread so far down!!!

Is anyone else DYING for CaMacho's review? Jess promised it would be very detailed - i think I check for it every 20 minutes! haha!
No pressure, Jess!!!

---

Oh i'm so sorry!!! I'm done writing it but just trying to add ALL the pics!!! It is 12 pages on word (with no pics) so how long is it going to be on here??? I think i'm going to post it on the Brides Review board so keep on the lookout!!!

---

oh my god I WORSHIP YOU!!!
a 12 page review is something I would do! I don't know how to sum things up...I LOVE details! Can not wait for your review....I'm checking all the time. Glad you told me where you were going to post it...I wasn't sure where to look so I just keep clicking on your name to see your 10 most recent posts!!!
Take your time...we can wait

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

I check for her review a million times a day.

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

Ok, my review is done!!! I posted it on Brides Review board!!

CLICK HERE FOR HM REVIEW

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

I have been waiting for this review!! Thank you so much for all of the details and insight!

If you have a moment, can you let me know what you booked in advance and what you booked when you were there??

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

I just read it during my lunch hour! It's absolutely amazing...I can't stop staring at your pics!!! It looks like the most perfect honeymoon EVER! I am so glad FH talked me into ditching the Hawaii idea and going here!
I feel like i know you even though I don't...I'm just so happy for you looking at your wedding and HM pics - CONGRATS!!!!

OK so of course I have a few questions b/c I am crazy and like to be well prepared for vacations...I'm posting them here rather than FM-ing you so that your answers can help out other people going there too....

1) Your tip about packing snacks - just wondering how did you pack this stuff? I always get nervous when I go away with friends and I see them throwing food/snacks in with their clothes or something. Just wondering the best way to pack this sort of stuff.

2) Did you bring any sort of liquor or wine from home or from the duty free shop in the airport? I read this on the Tahiti Explore board all the time but just wondering if it's worth doing. FH and I are big beer drinkers mostly - like wine too.

3) I need to know more about the sharks...I am TERRIFIED! Are you sure they're not scary??? Do they come near you much???

4) OK so I'm staying at Moorea Pearl too. I am booked in a garden bungalow with plunge pool there. Your beach bungalow looks really nice there and I think from looking on their website that those beach bungs (the non-premium ones) are the same price as the room I am in...so I'm thinking about asking my TA to switch us over to the beach bung. We are getting the private plunge pool experience when we're in Tahaa...so I don't feel I need that twice. I think I'd rather be able to walk out right onto the beach. Did you really love that room - do you think it's a good idea for me to switch to that? I have no problem with it being by the dive shop either - no big deal to us.

5) And lastly (just tell me to shut up if I am being annoying with all these questions ) - can you give us any tips on what to pack / what not to pack. Like did you guys bring anything that you just didn't need/wear? Anything you wish you had brought that you didn't? Also - I'm nervous I'm going to overpack - how many pieces of luggage did you guys bring and did you run into any issues with the weight limits on flights?

OK take your time answering my annoying questions....no rush! Whenever you get a chance!

Thanks in advance!!!

Going back to look at your pictures again

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by KvsGrl

I have been waiting for this review!! Thank you so much for all of the details and insight!

If you have a moment, can you let me know what you booked in advance and what you booked when you were there??

---

Good question!

Jess will you answer this on this thread so we can all hear! Thanks!

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

I just read it during my lunch hour! It's absolutely amazing...I can't stop staring at your pics!!! It looks like the most perfect honeymoon EVER! I am so glad FH talked me into ditching the Hawaii idea and going here!
I feel like i know you even though I don't...I'm just so happy for you looking at your wedding and HM pics - CONGRATS!!!!

OK so of course I have a few questions b/c I am crazy and like to be well prepared for vacations...I'm posting them here rather than FM-ing you so that your answers can help out other people going there too....

Thanks SO much!!! K, here are my answers (in bold)...

1) Your tip about packing snacks - just wondering how did you pack this stuff?

Well, we brought stuff that wouldn't spill or melt so we just put them in plastic shopping bags and stuffed them in our carry on (some in our bigger bag too). They were right in there with our clothes and it was fine!


2) Did you bring any sort of liquor or wine from home or from the duty free shop in the airport?

Nah, we're not big drinkers. We just mostly got drinks from the bar once in a while or had wine with dinner. The Moorea Pearl gave us a bottle of champagne the first night and we didn't even drink it. We brought it home!!

3) I need to know more about the sharks...I am TERRIFIED! Are you sure they're not scary??? Do they come near you much???

You HAVE to do this!! YES, they come right near you. I could have reached out and touched them, the tour guide was feeding them right next to me! It's actually not scary though once you're in... you realize the sharks have absolutely no interest in you. They have been doing this tour for 5 years and not one instance of an attack. Oh and definitely book through the pearl... our tour guide was awesome!

4) OK so I'm staying at Moorea Pearl too. I am booked in a garden bungalow with plunge pool there. Your beach bungalow looks really nice there and I think from looking on their website that those beach bungs (the non-premium ones) are the same price as the room I am in...so I'm thinking about asking my TA to switch us over to the beach bung. We are getting the private plunge pool experience when we're in Tahaa...so I don't feel I need that twice. I think I'd rather be able to walk out right onto the beach. Did you really love that room - do you think it's a good idea for me to switch to that? I have no problem with it being by the dive shop either - no big deal to us.

YES! We loved our beach bungalow!!! You have your OWN strip of beach (no one really comes down there) and you jump off your deck and you're in the water!!! We liked this room just as much as our OWB in Bora Bora. It was huge too. If it's the same price as the garden pool bungalow i'd switch to the beach bungalow.

5) And lastly (just tell me to shut up if I am being annoying with all these questions ) - can you give us any tips on what to pack / what not to pack. Like did you guys bring anything that you just didn't need/wear? Anything you wish you had brought that you didn't? Also - I'm nervous I'm going to overpack - how many pieces of luggage did you guys bring and did you run into any issues with the weight limits on flights?

Ooh ooh... yes PACK LIGHT!! Oh and bring two suitcases instead of one big one. We brought ONE big one (thinking it would be easier with traveling b/w islands) and what a mistake that was. The guy at JFK told us we would just have to pay a fee on the way home... ok. But on the way home at the Tahiti airport the lady didn't let us pay a fee. She said we HAD to make it lighter!!! So we had to buy a carry on bag in the airport and take stuff out... right in front of everyone. Ugh, what an ordeal. So, definitely take 2 suitcases and make sure they are under 23kg. I think it's like 50 lbs.

Also, I brought some nice shirts to wear at night and didn't really end up wearing them. I just wanted to be in a little tank b/c it was really hot. I also wish I had 2 more bathing suits... I only brought 5.

Thanks in advance!!!

Going back to look at your pictures again



Hope this helps!!!!!!

Jess

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by KvsGrl

I have been waiting for this review!! Thank you so much for all of the details and insight!

If you have a moment, can you let me know what you booked in advance and what you booked when you were there??

---

No problem, happy to help!!!

We didn't book anything in advance. On the first day at the Moorea Pearl we booked the rental car and shark feeding. Then when we got to Bora Bora that first day we booked the parasailing, 4x4 tour, bloody mary's, tattoo appointments and jet skiing (which we didn't get to do b/c of the oil strike). Even when going to the restaurants like Alfredo's... we called the desk at 5pm and they got us a 7:30 reservation for that night. HTH!!

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

This all helps so much...thanks for answering all my questions so quickly!!!

Did your hubby try the poisson cru at all? You said you don't like fish so I'm assuming you didn't have any

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by Mella46

Here is a updated list of the dates that everyone heads off to tahiti, if you want to be added FM me!

Carmella


LI Wedding Brides Tahiti Honeymoon Dates
johnsae 05/10/06 - 05/26/06
heatherfaith 05/29/06 - 06/08/06
CaMacho 06/12/06 - 06/23/06
Pigs222seal 06/12/06 - 06/23/06
Onay 06/12/06 - 06/25/06
angnick 07/03/06 - 07/14/06
BRod-Cheng 07/17/06 - 07/27/06
BrooklynBridezilla 07/22/06 - 07/30/06
Nadyne311 08/07/06 - 08/19/06
JeanineHubert 08/14/06 - 08/27/06
Kvsgrl 08/21/06 - 09/01/06
smara 08/28/06 - 09/06/06
denise2006 09/04/06 - 09/15/06
Graciep0o 09/04/06 - 09/16/06
ReemBride 09/18/06 - 10/02/06
Kittythestray 10/03/06 - 10/14/06
Mella46 10/23/06 - 11/03/06
General888 10/23/06 - 11/03/06
AutmBride 11/13/06 - 11/24/06
gina674 11/13/06 - 11/23/06
KandE917 11/27/06 -12/7/06

---

I just checked to see who's going next and it's ANGNICK's turn!!! She leaves on Monday!!!

Ang - have the best time ever and we'll be expecting a very detailed review when you get back!!!

Congrats on the wedding - weather is looking great this weekend so enjoy every minute!!!
I can't believe it's your turn already...time goes too quickly. Enjoy the Thalasso.....we'll be anxious to hear how it's going there!

Also just noticed Onay was on the same flight going as Jess and Carissa.....wonder if you guys saw her at all?

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by CaMacho

---

Posted by KvsGrl

I have been waiting for this review!! Thank you so much for all of the details and insight!

If you have a moment, can you let me know what you booked in advance and what you booked when you were there??

---

No problem, happy to help!!!

We didn't book anything in advance. On the first day at the Moorea Pearl we booked the rental car and shark feeding. Then when we got to Bora Bora that first day we booked the parasailing, 4x4 tour, bloody mary's, tattoo appointments and jet skiing (which we didn't get to do b/c of the oil strike). Even when going to the restaurants like Alfredo's... we called the desk at 5pm and they got us a 7:30 reservation for that night. HTH!!

---

Thank you!! FH is 'planning' the HM, but as you can see I am doing most of the research

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

OMG! Amazing pics! I'm glad you had a great time. My fiance and I are looking into going to Tahiti, Bora, Moorea. After reading your review I definatly want to go. I was wondering who you booked through? Also, (I hate to ask) how much does a vacation like that cost on average. You can FM me. Thanks so much!

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

WOW... That sounds amazing!!!

I WANT TO START PLANNING OUR HONEYMOON AND THE ONLY THING I KNOW IS I WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TAHITI...BASICALLY YOUR HM...

YOUR BOARD WAS GREAT..VERY DESCRIPTIVE..I NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE TO START...

How did you decide on that?
How did you plan it out and book it?
Sorry to ask, but what was the price range?

PLEASE SEND ME AN FM???

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

I just got so excited after reading the reivew!!!!

I don't know what to decide now.....keep our garden/private pool or split it with a beach bungalow in Moorea (5 nights)???
Then we booked 7 nights premium OOT bung in Bora Bora.

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by tropicalbride07

I just got so excited after reading the reivew!!!!

I don't know what to decide now.....keep our garden/private pool or split it with a beach bungalow in Moorea (5 nights)???
Then we booked 7 nights premium OOT bung in Bora Bora.

---

I'm switching my Moorea room too now to a beach bungalow.....we're doing a beach villa with plunge pool in Tahaa so I don't mind giving up the little plunge pool at Moorea Pearl. The beach bung. at Moorea looks SO nice!!!

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by NICKEITH

WOW... That sounds amazing!!!

I WANT TO START PLANNING OUR HONEYMOON AND THE ONLY THING I KNOW IS I WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TAHITI...BASICALLY YOUR HM...

YOUR BOARD WAS GREAT..VERY DESCRIPTIVE..I NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE TO START...

How did you decide on that?
How did you plan it out and book it?
Sorry to ask, but what was the price range?

PLEASE SEND ME AN FM???

---

You should get the Tahiti guide book by Jan Prince. CaMacho recommended it to me when I was in the early stages of planning when I knew nothing about Tahiti and it helped me so much! Also check out tripadvisor.com to see the different hotel options on each island & read reviews.
Also I know this thread is very long but when you have the time you should read thru it - it's helpful too!!!

Ask us any questions - we'd all be happy to help if we can!

You can spend anywhere from say $6k to $12k on this trip! It all depends on how you break it up bet. the islands and what hotels you choose.
Hotels in Moorea are less expensive than Bora Bora so you can cut costs by staying more nights in Moorea. OWB are the most expensive rooms so you can break it up and do a garden bungalow for a few nights and then your last few nights in an OWB. I added 2 nights in Tahaa on to my trip at the end b/c I just was dying to go there but honestly I could have saved a few thousand $ by not going there - it's just ridiculously expensive.

Those are just a few ideas to cut costs....

Also I didn't know about this when I booked my HM but you should check out the travel section on costco.com - then go to South Pacific and look at all their different packages to Tahiti. They have some really good rates.

Hope this helps!

Re: French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.) Honeymoons!!!!!!

---

Posted by KandE917
I'm switching my Moorea room too now to a beach bungalow.....we're doing a beach villa with plunge pool in Tahaa so I don't mind giving up the little plunge pool at Moorea Pearl. The beach bung. at Moorea looks SO nice!!!

---

I know.....I liked the idea of the plunge pool and FH liked that privacy, but now I wonder if we would prefer the beach just steps from our balcony?