Tahitianbigkahuna

There are 2 Internet cafes ....... Close to the dock area in PPT

The closes is inside the Vaima Centre, only a few blocks from the ship.

On Moorea there is an Internet cafe called Moorea Beach Cafe, about 3/4 of a mile from the tender drop off location if it's in Cook's Bay.

On Bora Bora you have Aloe Cafe with free internet, about 2/10 of a mile from the tender drop off

Thank you so much for posting this Tahitianbigkahuna. Such helpful information for first timers like me!

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Your welcome, feel free to ask me anything. There are a few on here that know the PG a bit better than myself though this will be my 5th trip on the PG. however, I've been to French Polynesia 20 times so I know many of the islands well

You are correct, hadn't updated that since the last time I compiled information. As we are flying AF this year to FP I'm glad to caught that. Sad though, terminal 2 is much easier than TBIT. .......

Interestingly different sites have AF flying out of T2 but the official LAX site has it as TBIT

I don't get caught up in typos, I think everyone knew what I meant

Absolutely ......... We do it every time. Always a few fresh baguettes, a bit of cheese, French butter, French jam and dried salami ..... $20 and we are good for 24 hours

The ship dock area is close to so many things. There are so many things to see and do within walking distance. One of the highlights for me is right outside the dock area. After 6pm the Roulettes open, 7 days a week. There are over a dozen food stands/trucks and the variety of food is incredible though much has Polynesian influence. Of course there are French places as well as Italian.

Usually there are local musicians playing Polynesian music, the whole thing is very family oriented and a load of fun. It's a great place to people watch or visit after you had dinner on board. Yummy crepes :)

Across the street you will find an ATM, you can't miss it.Also across the street there is a pharmacy, cafes, banks and shops for blocks. About 3 blocks away is the Le Marche which opens early for the food area. Many of the shops are closed on Sunday.

There are 2 car rentals places within walking distance. Several times we have rented a car on the last day and after coming off the ship used it to tour around the island, keep our bags safe and then drop it off at the airport for the red eye flight back to LAX.

On Sunday's you may want to go visit a church within walking distance. If not for the religious factor do it so you can hear the Polynesians sing in their native tongue, beautiful.

You can also walk about a mile to a major food store to grab a bit of French wine. There are closer stores but a large well stocked store is around a mile away.

If by chance your staying at the IC pre-cruise the largest market on the island is about 3/4 of a mile away. We love this market. When leaving the IC go to your right, follow the road down the hill. Once you come to the highway got to the right and you will come to the shopping center, again about 3/4 mile from the IC. Besides the large store there is a pharmacy, bank, cafes and some clothing stores.

Nothing better than a fresh baguette, French butter along with some marmalade, yummy! Behind the shopping center on the water front is a very nice marina where there a 2 nice restaurants with great views of the boats and a view of Moorea.

With around 20 trips over the last 20 years I know this stuff pretty well. Some things do change, carriers come and go but for the most part the process has remained the same.

The major carriers to French Polynesia are Air Tahiti Nui and Air France. ATN is located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal and AF is located in Terminal Two. If you are arriving from a domestic airline into LAX there is a shuttle that will take you to the appropriate terminal. Go out to the far curb on the street and locate the 'green' sign for shuttle buses. If your domestic carrier has an agreed meant with ATN or AF your bags will be sent to your International flight, if no agreement you will need to grab your checked in bags and take then with you over to your International carrier. Both ATN and AF open 3 hours prior to flight time.

rhere is an exchange both once rhough security but you will receive a very poor rate, better to wait until your to Tahiti. If your wanting to take considerable cash better to do prior to arriving ar LAX. Wells Fargo offers a great rate but you will need to deal with them a few weeks prior to your trip. Next best rate will be from the Tahiti airport ATM machine. There have been a few occasions where the ATM was not working but no problem you can exchange at a Tahitian bank and get a fair rate. If that is not possible you can exchange smaller amounts at a hotel desk or once you get on board the PG. There is also an ATM across from the dock area, you can't miss it.

Most flights on ATN and AF are red eye flights. Once your on your flight and you are at cruise level you will will be given a large snack and beverages of choice. Both carriers offer alcohol drinks at no charge. About 90 minutes into the flight it will be lights out It's usually about 1:30am so I can usually fall asleep and catch a few hours. About 90 minutes prior to landing the lights will come on and they will serve you breakfast. 30 minutes before wheels down they will gather your trays and other trash.

Upon arriving ar Tahiti's International Airport, FAAA, you will proceed through customs. If your at the rear of the plane expect about 45 - 60 minutes to get though the airport, no worries, if you have a transfer scheduled they will wait for you. Once you clear customs you may wish to use the exchange ATM. When leaving customs/baggage go to your right. About 150 feet street side you will see the ATM. There are also some shops and a few eating places if your going to hang at the airport for awhile.

Car rentals are close by, the closes being Avis in the parking lot, you can easily spot it once out of customs/bagage. There is also a bagage storage place in th parking area. There is a charge.

Taxi rates to the docks or downtown are typically around $15 - $20 USD. If your heading to the IC Hotel figure $15 USD. The rates ar 50% higher between sunset and sunrise.

I'll write more tomorrow and discuss what is clues to downtown and th Dock area.

Oh bummer ..... The end:(

Paul Gauguin just uploaded their new website :)

Two years ........ Oh my :eek:

The worst day in French Polynesia is better than most good days back home :D

Only a handful of taxis on Moorea. As mentioned contact Alberts for inexpensive transfers

You write from the heart, great read, getting my motor running as I leave for another PG trip in 61 days :)

Nice read

Yes no A/C but good ceiling fans.

But free wifi, great beach and view of the modus, close to Le Petite village, great beach cafe and casual bar, good prices, shuttle to the motu and a great vibe ...l locally owned

If you go to Moorea make sure it's for two nights, one night isn't worth it. The nice thing is on the return to Tahiti the ferry terminal is right next to the Paul Gauguin.

The big four on Moorea are the IC, Hilton, Sofitel and the Pearl Beach, each has it's advantages and dis-advantages.

Best facilities: IC

Best snorkeling: Hilton

Best view and beach: Sofitel

Best price: Pearl Beach

Another great little place that is reasonable, with a nice beach and close to some shopping is Les Tipaniers

Transfers from the ferry on Moorea to a hotel is about $15 each way per person

The lagoon part is the highlight but the land part was interesting if you never been to Huahine. Remember your only there one day so getting w bit of both land and lagoon is nice.

The land part included a bit of time in Fare, a stop at a marae/history museum, a stop at a pearl farm and finally an incredible vie of MRoe Bay from the Belvedere.

Marc does a land/lagoon combo on Huahine, been on it several times

Marqueses is all about the island

Fakarava is all about the lagoon

Bora Bora is primarily about the lagoon. Make sure your circumnavigate the lagoon on a tour. This is a good island to do a Polynesian BBQ on a motu

Tahaa is about Motu Mahana though the thrift snorkel is good

Huahine is nice for a land/lagoon tour

Moorea is about the island. I also love renting a car on Moorea

Would agree August - October is best

Give the 25th gift in March and then you have 6 months to plan and dream :)

We always bring a A/C strip

Categories B and above have a SoundDock for Apple products

Just for fun I pulled the dates for the Cooks

May

June

September

October

November

December

If I recall the best weather we had was September/October but it was still more humid, warmer in FP plus the water was warmer in FP

TBH?

When you,ve been there several times you forget the exact months though I can easily remember it being chilly a few times which was technically there winter, our summer, much cooler than FP, which is 4-5 degrees closer to the equator, this isn't hard to figure out, just go pull the annual temps for both PPT and RAR, match up the months, it's a no brainier.

Which month did you enjoy your best French Wine? That's right, easy to forget when you had so many ;)

The weather is always a bit more stable in the Society Islands compared to the Cooks.

This is because the distance between the equator and the Society Islands is less than that between the equator and lest say Rarotonga.

The closer you are to the equator the more constant heat and humidity you will have.

Water temp will be warmer in the Socirty Islands.

In June and July Rarotonga can require a light jacket at night and the water will be 10 to 12 degrees colder than the Society Islands.

I.ve been to the Society Islands 20 some times over the last 20 years and have been in the Cooks about 5 times in that same time period, I know what I'm talking about

One of the major differences between TA and Cruisecritic is one caters primarily to land based travelers and the other caters to those on a cruise. A major difference when it comes to excursions.

If your in Atutaki and the ship decides to switch Roro and Atutaki you might have a problem if you booked on your own. If you were in a resort on Aitutaki no big deal, just book another day, not so when the captain does the switch on you. However, if you booked a ships tour no problem. My advice is to make sure you have an agreement with the tour company that they won't charge you unless you actually partake in the tour.

Some of the ships tours are very good and of course there are several great tours you can book on your own. i typically book some of both depending on how in the 'outback' we are. Also keep in mind the hips tours are based on the ships schedule and hours we will be there. Not always the case when you get to smaller, more remote locations like a small atoll.

I would suggest you ask us which things you would like to do where, then let us point you in the right direction.

Also keep in mind you will get all sorts of advice. wHat you want to so is look for the common denominators from advice. If the vast majority states one thing and then you have an odd ball suggestion you might want to by as the odd ball suggestion. Safety is always going with the flu of suggestions ;)

Ended said it well, the spirit of Polynesia is already on board, all the time. The PPg is a ship that is easy to love not only for Polynesia on board but the crew. The loyal base is in love with Polynesia, the crew and other seasoned travelers on the PG.

Not to take anything away from Marina, have heard good things but if you really want to bath in the Polynesia flavor there is no better ship.

The larger ships that pass though FP for a season provision themselves primarily before entering FP waters and have addional containers brought in from Caiifonia.

The Paul Gauguin uses much more local suppliers as the

E ship calls FP home.

I know which way I prefer