True Tahiti Vacation

New Flights to Tahiti!

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New Flights to Tahiti!

Two new airlines will be adding Tahiti to their rosters.
Both United & French Blue will start flying San Francisco-Tahiti in 2018.
United will operate nonstop service three times a week beginning October 30th. They’ll be flying a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
In addition, a new low cost carrier called French Blue will begin service in May. They too will offer nonstop service three times a week.
I love having more options and hope the competition brings us some nicer fares!

50th Anniversary of the Overwater Bungalow

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Fun fact: The first Overwater Bungalows were built by 3 American men (a.k.a. the Club Bali Hai Boys) in 1967 on the island of Raiatea. Since then, Overwater Bungalows have popped up all over French Polynesia. To celebrate this special occasion, some resorts are offering significant discounts. Le Taha’a Island Resort is offering a 50% discount in their Overwater Bungalows, while Le Meridien Bora Bora is offering a 40% discount. Contact us now and we’ll be happy to put together a personalized quote for you.

Back to School

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Next week is back to school week in Tahiti. That means Fiona who will be in the 11th grade will once again be setting her alarm for 4:30am.  Yes, you read that right. I too, will be setting my alarm for the same time because kids here can’t drive until they’re 18.  So we’ll get up at 4:30am, head out the door at 4:45am and we’ll drive 30min to the ferry.  Fiona will then take the ferry to Tahiti. It’s a 30min crossing and then she’ll walk 7min to the bus and take a 10min bus ride to school!  At the end of the day, she’ll take the last ferry back to Moorea and be home by 6:30pm.  That is one long day and every high school student on Moorea deserves praise for their dedication! Be sure to read this to your kids the next time they complain about having to get up early for school. 🙂

 

 

Q+A with photographer Helene Havard

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Bora Bora and The Islands of Tahiti have long been the dream destination for honeymooners. And for many years now, they have been the dream locale for destination weddings. Once the wedding & honeymoon are booked, often the first question I’m asked, is about photographers. Without hesitation, I have always recommended Helene Havard. Not only is Helene incredibly talented but she is a true professional. From weddings, to honeymoons and family photo shoots, I recommend Helene for simply stunning photographs that capture both the beauty & emotion of the moment.
Q.  Where are you from and how long have you lived in French Polynesia?
I am from France.  I’ve been living in French Polynesia for almost 6 years
Q.  Have you always worked as a photographer?
No I worked for a few years in the tourism industry.  I worked for an airlines and foreign boat company when I was in France.
Q.  What I love about your photography is that both the location and the people you are shooting are equally gorgeous.  Is it hard to balance both and not have one element take over?
Thanks.  I think beauty is everywhere — even in some places that are judged as he worst in the world.  I’m always seeing beauty anywhere I go so whatever the location is, it doesn’t change anything for me.
Q.  Of course you photograph a lot of weddings but I see you are doing more and more family shoots.  Do you have a preference and why?
I don’t have a preference.  What is important to me is to be able to get emotion and moments that count.  Whether you are getting married or with your family.
Q.  What do you find most exciting about your job?
What I like most, as I am not someone who likes routine, is to be able to do new things everyday with different people in different places.  To innovate and do new things is important in my job.  I am lucky to have people who trust me enough to follow my ideas.  I’m starting to travel abroad for shootings and I find it exciting to catch the love between my clients in amazing places in the world.
Q.  Do you only use digital or do you also use film and do you have a preference?
I am only using digital.
Q.  Where are your feelings on color vs. black & white?
I like both.  It’s only a question of how I feel when I take the picture.
Q.  Do you have a favorite island or location you like to shoot?
I like islands where I have unlimited spaces and unlimited possibilities to take photos — like Moorea and all the Marquesan islands.  I find myself very limited in terms of creativity when I’m at a resort. After a while it seems to result in the same kind of deja vu photos.  This is why I prefer to be in the nature, to find new locations and to shoot my couples in unique places.  To be free is essential to me.

A Bird’s Eye View

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There is no greater view of the islands, than from a helicopter!
Here you’ll see every imaginable shade of blue as the lagoon turns from turquoise to sapphire and azure. You’ll see volcanic mountains covered in green velvet.
One of my favorite helicopter rides is between Bora Bora & Tahaa. It’s a quick ride (under 30min) and I promise, great fun. Besides, don’t you love the idea of avoiding the airport and landing right at your resort’s helipad?!

Q+A with James Samuela of Moorea Tattoo

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Today I’ve decided to do a little Q+A with my husband James.

James is the “famous” one in the family.  He is a traditional tattoo artist and known throughout the world.
I confess, I never had any interest in tattoos prior to coming to Tahiti.  Yet once I was here, I found myself enchanted with the art form.
For me it is obvious Tahiti is the birthplace of tattoo as both men & women here, are even more beautiful because of their tattoos.
Q.  For those who are unfamiliar with tattoo, we should probably describe the difference between traditional and machine tattoos.
Machine tattoos are made with a tattoo gun.  The sort of thing you see on LA or Miami Ink.  But one big distinction with me is that I do not use flash. Flash is like tracing paper.  You do the design on paper and then transfer it to the skin.  Then you basically fill in the dots.  What I do is free hand.  Also I will never do the same tattoo twice.
Q.  So what exactly is a traditional tattoo:
A traditional tattoo the way of tattooing as my ancestors once did.  I can use a shark tooth or wild boar tusk.  Most of the time I use boar tusk because it is easier to get.  So I carve the tusk into a small comb and then attach it to a stick. The comb is then “tapped” into the skin. The “tat tat tat” sound it makes is where the word Tahitian word “tatau” came from.
Q.  A lot of people are under the impression they need to do their tattoos at the end of their trips because they can’t go in the water:
Since you’re in charge of my agenda, I think this drives you crazier than it does me. But no this is definitely not true.  It is fine to go in the lagoon after you tattoo. In fact, my ancestors used to jump in the lagoon immediately after a tattoo to help speed healing. Another thing to consider is the sun.  I’ve had people wait until the end of their trips to get tattooed and by the time I see them, they are sunburned.  I definitely can’t tattoo over a sun burn! So really, getting tattooed at the start of the trip can be a good thing!
Q.  I was fascinated to see in one of your old history books, the name of your family is acknowledged as being one of the original tattoo artists way back in the 1500’s.
How does this make you feel?
Kind of cool.  It makes you feel like you have a very old family.
Q.  Do you feel like tattoo is something you want either of our children to do?
They will both know how to tattoo and they will have the knowledge of their history. Whether or not they decide to tattoo is up to them. 
Q.  Do you like your clients to have a specific idea of what they want or do you prefer they let you come up with the design?
Really I like when they can tell me what they want the tattoo to represent and if they have an idea of size or location that is great.  I don’t need to know more than that.
Q.  How do you feel about sharing your art with so many people around the world?
I love tatau and for me it’s an honor to share my culture with people around the world. And it’s cool when people feel inspired to share their culture with me.  I’ve had clients send me reindeer antlers from Sweden, crocodile teeth from Australia and buffalo horn from Chile.  Making the world a smaller place, one tattoo at a time 🙂
Q.  Anything you’d like to end with:
Yes, check out my website and email me sooner than later.  Nothing worse than someone contacting me the day before they’re leaving and I’m already booked. 

Poisson Cru

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If there was a National Dish of Tahiti, Poisson Cru would be it.

So fresh and delicious, you absolutely must try it when you’re here.
Most any fish can be used but you’ll find tuna is most commonly used in restaurants.
Add some rice and you’ll have the perfect meal.
Here is a recipe in case any of you would like to try it at home.

Tahiti – a love affair with flowers

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The beauty of Tahiti extends beyond the turquoise lagoons.
The true beauty of these Islands is her people! And to me, nothing is more beautiful than the grace of Tahitian dancers.
When you visit for your vacation or honeymoon, know that the bigger hotels will typically have Polynesian dance shows once or twice a week. Seeing one of these shows is an absolute “must do.”
I’m lucky to have a daughter who dances.
One of my favorite parts of Tahitian dance are the costumes — all made with flowers & leaves.
I always laugh before annual festival of Heiva as you’ll see moms climbing the hillsides trying to find that particular flower or leaf that is required for the costume. And as I always say; no one does flowers better than Tahitians!
Here is a photo of Fiona and her classmates at the Tahiti Ora solo dance competition in Tahiti.

The Place to Disconnect

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_MG_4723[2]I know it is hard to put down the iPhone and truly disconnect but believe me, it’s worth it when you’re in Tahiti. French Polynesia is the perfect place to disconnect. It’s funny because when I book family vacations, the parents are often worried their children will be bored. I always tell them, they’ll be shocked at how much their children enjoy nature and how easy it is for them to give up the electronics!

Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa

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I recently had a mother/daughter getaway to Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa. The last time Fiona had been there she was 2 years old. Now soon to be 13, this was an entirely different trip and one she will remember for a long time. Oh how I love this resort. So beautiful and so authentically Polynesian. We stayed in the Beach Villa which by the way, is my absolute favorite. Save the Overwater Bungalows for Bora Bora. At Le Taha’a it’s all about the Beach Villas. While Fiona spent much of her time in our private plunge pool taking selfies, I enjoyed bubble baths in our private garden. Yes, there is a bathtub in the garden! Imagine a hot bath under the stars. Simply wonderful. Although it rained a lot while we were there, we still took time to snorkel in the coral garden and were thrilled with the abundance of fish following us around. Fiona loved the restaurant perched high in the trees and will be the first to tell you to order the lime sorbet. She had a whopping 11 scoops during our stay. Yes, it really was that good. We also took advantage of the spa. My recommendation is to book your massage around sunset. It is a magical experience to see the sun setting over the water.  Both Fiona & I concur; we LOVE Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa.

p.s. If you book a minimum of 3 nights in a Beach Villa, True Tahiti Vacation will offer you a complimentary 50min couple’s massage (certain blackout dates do apply).