OffCall

Thank you for the detailed review. I've been reading along and applying some of your knowledge to our trip this January. You mentioned that Patrick's tour is the to take for first time Bora Bora visitors - is this tour offered through the Paul Gauguin, as I can't seem to find it? If not, do you remember what the tour company is called or is it just Patrick's?

Thanks again and please continue with your review.

Olga

Up until this photo I've been seeing two of all of your photos when I view the posts on my phone. On the laptop I only get one of each - a bit odd but I do see the photos [emoji6]

 

 

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And they are beautiful, I can't wait for our trip this January! I hope the weather cooperates for us.

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Looks like the Flikr site is back up and running again! Does anyone else have trouble seeing my photos? Can you see this photo...?

 

 

 

Untitled by deladane, on Flickr"][/url]

 

 

 

 

 

Let me know because I don't want to post the next installment until this is resolved :) Thanks!

Up until this photo I've been seeing two of all of your photos when I view the posts on my phone. On the laptop I only get one of each - a bit odd but I do see the photos [emoji6]

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Hi Olga,

 

Yes, you can definitely just leave the adapter on all the time and it will not do anything to affect the underwater camera. In fact, I often had it underwater without the fisheye lens because that's the trick to no getting any air bubbles between the fisheye and the main camera lens- I dunked both underwater and attached the fisheye there so the cavity between the fisheye and the main camera is filled with water and there won't be any air bubbles :) Also, if you want to use the macro mode, that won't work as well if you have the fisheye lens so you may be taking the fisheye on and off while snorkeling but you wouldn't remove the adapter ring too- just leave it on the camera all the time.

Thank you! Appreciate the advice.

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Hi Lisa,

 

I actually do have the TG-5. I was originally planning to get the TG-4, but then they released the new model so I went with that instead. I used the TG-5 to take all my photos from this vacation both on and off the ship, except for the panorama photos (I used my old Sony underwater camera for that because I prefer the Sony's sweeping panorama method as opposed to the stitching method that the TG-5 uses which messes it up more often than not haha) Yes, the TG-5 is meant to be an underwater camera, but I really liked the above-water photos I took outside too. The indoor photos weren't great, but they were good enough for what I needed. I did bring a better non-underwater point and shoot camera for indoor photos but never ended up using it. I find it easier to keep all my photos on one camera if possible because then they are all in order by file number when I load them onto my laptop after the trip.

 

 

 

As for the accessories, I skipped the zoom lens because I read reviews saying it wasn't worth the extra money for the minimal extra zoom it give you. I did buy the fisheye lens and I loved it! It let me take the photos with half the frame above the water line and half below. It also made it easier to take selfies and I really liked how the landscape photos came out with a bigger area in the frame.

 

 

 

The camera is definitely bigger than any other point and shoot I have owned (especially when the fisheye lens is attached), and it is slightly heavy, but nothing unreasonable. When carrying it around the ship, I usually left the fisheye lens in the cabin so the camera body could fit in my little wristlet.

 

 

 

Not sure if that was helpful, but let me know if you have any other questions! :)

Hi Dana

I’ve been reading your posts with great interest and I’m so glad to hear about the Olympus camera. I was researching underwater rugged cameras and was leaning towards the Olympus so when I read your glowing review I did end up buying it and the fish lens. I’ve been playing with my camera and my question is if you are using the fish lens there is an adapter, can you just leave the adapter on and will it keep the waterproof rating with the adapter on? I’m thinking it will but when I asked at the camera store they weren’t sure. Just curious whether you kept changing out the adapter.

Olga

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Get your currency on the PG. Their rates are good. Dollars are accepted most places but the best rate is of course local currency. Shops take credit cards. You can exchange any unused currency on the ship as well.

Great - thank you!

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USD is accepted at most places though small vendors prefer local CFP. Amount is dictated by what you think you might spend at local vendors or private excursion vendors who want to be paid in local currency ... this is true also in the Cook's.

Thanks!

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Book dinner reservations as soon after you board as possible.

 

 

 

Take critter spray.

 

 

 

If they have a show on Friday night at the IC go watch it.

 

 

 

Grab some local currency before boarding, enough for small vendors.

 

 

 

A polarized filter if your bringing a camera that allows one.

Thank you for the great information. We are traveling in January and will be doing the 11 day cruise and spending 3 nights before in Moorea. How much local currency do you recommend we bring and is American money accepted?

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Here is the skinny ... I've stayed at all the major resorts on Moorea.

 

 

 

In order of desirability

 

 

 

Best for a couple: Hilton, Sofitel

 

Best for snorkeling: Hilton, Sofitel

 

Best for families: IC, Manava

 

Best bang for the buck: Manava, IC

 

Best off-resort restaurant options within walking distance: Manava, IC

 

Best completely OWB: tie between Hilton / Sofitel

 

Closest to good shopping: Manava, IC

 

Most remote, away from everything: Sofitel

 

Best view of Tahiti: Sofitel

 

Most expansive resort: IC, Sofitel

 

Best pool area: IC, Hilton

 

Best beach in front of resort: Sofitel, Hilton

 

 

 

My personal favorites in this order: Hilton, Sofitel, IC, Manava

 

Reasoning: I love to snorkel and I usually rent a car so off the beaten trek is no big deal for me.

Thank you!

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Thank you! Your information has been very helpful and your photos are beautiful. We are going January 2018 and staying a few days at the IC in Moorea before the cruise.

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I'm from Ontario and I've often gone to Tommy Bahama for a few pieces and The Bay on-line has a lot of selections still and their delivery is very quick. We're going in January so I've been constantly looking.

There are a few places within walking distance. When you leave the IC go to your right ... take some water but it is within walking distance.

 

Shack Mahana & Les Tipaniers .... both are good and reasonable for this part of the world ;)

 

There is also a market across the street which has stuff for the fridge and during lunch they sell 'plates' like you would see in Hawaii. Usually something like kung pao with rice on the side ... about $10 -$12 USD

Thank you

My husband and I will be going on the 11 day Paul Gauguin cruise in January and we want to go a few days earlier to get over any jet lag. I would appreciate any comments about the Intercontinental in Moorea? We were looking at an over the water bungalow and most of the reviews on TripAdvisor are great to good. Our other concern is for food, we've heard that the area is very expensive! Any advice would be appreciated.