Tahitianbigkahuna

Just talked to Ato ... said to try his email again as he received nothing 😉 I told him to check his spam folder ...

Reef discovery is a very reputable company to do business with ... I assume you have the correct email address for Ato: fakaravaexplorer@hotmail.com You can also send him a private message on his Messenger/Facebook under: https://www.facebook.com/lissant

This question comes up all the time ... here is my two cents worth on this important topic. Click on this link: Which Ship is Best for Visiting French Polynesia?

Answer to the OP's question .... https://streamyard.com/n5q5pzttqqcy

"I prefer to use something like Trip Advisor to see what the real people think. Admittedly, you have to get through several reviews to get to a sense of the real information" Solid advice ... What you need to be careful of is those that go once and now they think they are an expert. I'm an 'expert' in regards to French Polynesia ... 32 trips there ... I've seen so much and can give a balanced take on this part of the world and/or ships that frequent FP. Look for those that have balance ... those that have been there many times 😉

Susie Best time of year to go to French Polynesia BTW ... I have 3 Star Breeze cruises in FP coming up over the next 16 months.

My two cents worth ...

Possible for an added charge ... ATN does not include use of their lounge without paying for it unless your in business and the business class was purchased through ATN. My example was the case where you hold American Airlines most premium credit card, an annual $450 membership fee which also secures your membership is the Admirals club ... you purchased your business class seats on ATN using American miles, thus through American which is a code share airline with ATN. You can not use the ATN lounge at FAAA international. You would think your in business class flying on ATN ... you would be able to use their lounge without purchasing a pass ... but you can't. Your question/statement fell through the cracks ... I guess I should of stated that the exception is purchasing a pass for an added charge ... I don't read off of notes when I do a video ... simply talking so occasionally something might not get addressed such as the point you brought up. This was such a slap in the face (the example I mention) that the person will no longer fly ATN ... as I mentioned the person at the lounge desk could of made a mistake. Maybe I should stop with the videos ... I might miss something ....

A little visitor to our garden this morning ...

Thank you for the kind words ... the background is the Maitai Lapita Village on Huahine. One of my favorite places to take pictures.

Here you go ... How much local money should I bring?

Taken yesterday from my patio. Red Tail hawk was about 75 yards away. This is why I love the Sony RXIV for a wildlife travel camera. The long reach of the lens make this shot possible. Sure I would love to have a 600mm full frame lens on one of my A7's but I don't so 90% of the time I use my cropped RX10IV.

Taken last Sunday ... in the garden Sony RX10IV

You might want to check to see if the Bora Bora motu is back in operation. It was not available a few months ago and they were taking people to Matira Beach

Sailed on PG 16 times ... As Medic stated for us that have going for decades we see some differences. PG is still a wonderful experience. Star Breeze is the new kid in town. She is now in FP full time. Have several cruises booked on her in 2024 and 2025. Star Breeze has some good things going for it. Without going into great detail as everyone has their beliefs I'll simply say the big 3 cruise lines that are full time in FP is the way to go. All 3 have the Polynesian Mana. You will not find that on cruise lines that come to FP for a few months or passing through. The big 3 are ... PG (Ponant), Star Breeze (Windstar) and the Aranui 5. Stick with the big 3 😉

not a river as many think ... short kayak tour.

There are only 3 places ... if you have 2 of them in your sights you should be fine

In the garden ... a beautiful finch ... Sony RX10IV - jpeg No filters

Not many options for the major car companies ... they will want to transport you to the ferry docks or Albert's in the main village ... both are a drive. There used to be parking at the tender dock but no longer ... car companies will require you to return the same day if your on-board and return the following day if you want to rent a second day ...

Not many as to get to the coral gardens you are circumnavigating the lagoon ... most people will want multi stops for this reason.

In our garden ... why we pay so much to live in California ... the weather. iPhone SE3

In the garden this afternoon ... Sony RX10IV

Totally agree with Medic ... Only good thing in January is usually the better fare rate. I've been 32 times to the South Pacific ... December - through early March is always a crap shoot. Just returned from FP ... was there for some of the cyclone ... we had 4 days of rough weather to deal with.

Last night's sunset from our garden .... Sony A7III with Zeiss 25mm lens

The wild side of Nuku Hiva ... Marquesas. Sony RX10IV ... no filters.