How do you formulate phrases ample sufficient to explain essentially the most stunning place you’ve ever seen?
It’s a problem not distinctive to me, and is one which frequent vacationers know nicely. It is a feeling I haven’t had for the previous few years, after spending numerous hours caught at house. Nevertheless, I used to be just lately invited to test in to the beautiful Sofitel Kia Ora resort in Mo’orea, Tahiti, and it fairly actually took my breath away.
The island of Mo’orea is located within the Society Islands of French Polynesia, only a 40-minute ferry experience from the principle island of Tahiti and its capital metropolis Pape’ete. Right here, the streets are lined with pace restrict indicators studying “60 km/hour,” equaling roughly 37 miles per hour. I inquired about this to our native ATV tour information whereas driving round one of the scenic stretches by Opunohu Bay, asking if this was the restrict across the whole island, to which he replied, “In fact. Why would you wish to go any quicker? You’d miss these stunning views.” I smiled and nodded, realizing his response summed up my emotions and feelings so adequately – emotions I used to be struggling to place into phrases myself. Whether or not at Sofitel Kia Ora on Mo’orea, or exploring the island, it felt like a spot to decelerate and soak all of it in so that you don’t miss a single minute of the pure magnificence round you.
After I hopped aboard my Air Tahiti Nui direct flight from LAX to PPT, I had assumptions about what this vacation spot is perhaps like, having by no means been to French Polynesia earlier than. The brightly coloured seatbacks on the aircraft evoked the fictional island of “Te Fiti,” the Pixar model of French Polynesia that I’ve seen in numerous rewatches of Moana (I admit I had the soundtrack caught in my head throughout my whole journey). And the standard Polynesian music that started taking part in as quickly because the aircraft touched down in Pape’ete signaled a straightforward, breezy island getaway to flee your worries and fears, throw on a flower lei, stick a hibiscus flower in your hair and neglect life’s worries.
The seashores are absurd in Mo’orea and the scuba diving is really unmatched. The mountains, wanting like one thing straight out of Jurassic Park, made me query why I’d ever wish to return to my tiny shoebox condo in New York Metropolis. However I feel the factor that stood out to me essentially the most about my time on this little island is that this: whereas it is a traveler’s paradise, it is also house to actual folks and a wealthy cultural historical past I by no means beforehand knew.
A date with the ocean in Mo’orea, French Polynesia
Every day at Sofitel Kia Ora introduced new alternatives to be taught from and interact with the individuals who name this island house; those who’ve carried on the native traditions and tradition for generations, who’ve preserved this stunning land so folks like me can expertise its magnificence. These folks and their overwhelmingly beneficiant hospitality are what actually made this getaway so unforgettable. And after 2 years of lockdown with none journey, the connections with these persons are what I had longed for many.
Yvette Leon, the endlessly enthusiastic and passionate proprietor of Mo’orea VIP Tours, appears to carry the island’s whole historical past inside her mind. Leon, a former restaurant proprietor and the unofficial “hype lady” of Mo’orea (my phrases, not hers), confirmed us the true Tahitian approach to make marinated fish, a dish so savory and contemporary that I mainly ate it at each meal. (The bottom line is a lot of lime and coconut milk!) As we wandered the island collectively, she recognized each kind of flower, coconut and tree and had private tales and anecdotes to share alongside the way in which. She was additionally sort sufficient to show us the best way to make a conventional Tahitian flower crown on our remaining night time and defined the “language of the flower” that’s important to embracing the tradition of Tahiti.
From the standard tales about Mo’orea’s most vital mountain peaks, to the historical past of Tahitian cash, Yvette provided a wealth of information on all the sweetness, tradition and historical past Mo’orea has to supply. “When you put on a flower in your proper ear,” Yvette defined, “meaning you’re single. And in the event you put your flower on the left ear, the facet of your coronary heart, meaning you’re married. And in the event you see any person with two flowers, a flower on either side, meaning married and nonetheless wanting… for bother.”
“Everybody belongs to the island” – exploring Nuku Hiva, the ‘Land of Males’
Johanna Berard, founding father of Te Moana Tours, took us on a ship tour from the lodge, venturing exterior the reef and giving us time to swim with sharks and sting rays whereas educating us the best way to work together with them responsibly. She then hosted us on her personal motu, a small personal island of reef, the place she and her husband host music festivals all year long. She shared tales with us about rising up in Tahiti and elevating her youngsters there, whereas her husband cooked us a beach-side lunch and her canine entertained us. The hospitality on the lodge and off the property felt simply as inviting as these crystal-clear blue waters.
The way to get to Tahiti
I arrived in Tahiti through a direct, 8-hour flight from LAX on Air Tahiti Nui to Pape’ete. From there, the best and most handy approach to get to Mo’orea is by ferry, a scenic journey that takes about 45 minutes. Two ferry firms function day by day schedules, leaving from the port in Pape’ete and arriving in Moorea’s Vaiare marina. Costs begin at 1500XPF ($15 US) per individual, every manner.
When you’re craving a sun-and-sand getaway on a distant island of rolling inexperienced mountains, Mo’orea is usually a good different to Hawaii, particularly in the event you’re up for a world getaway. With some sensible planning, it may also be far more accessible and inexpensive than the Maldives. Though I solely had time to see the island of Mo’orea on my journey, guests are inspired to take a look at a couple of totally different locations throughout the Society Islands and do a little bit of island-hopping. You’ll discover that Mo’orea is the lushest amongst them and is much greater than the others, charming vacationers (and locals alike) with its panoramic views. Make sure you take a look at Magic Mountain, which was one other expertise throughout my journey that took my breath away – partly due to the gorgeous views, and partly due to the steep climb and excessive altitudes.
The attractive French Polynesian island you have by no means heard of
I’d have been completely content material to lie on the seashore or lounge on the deck of my bungalow – and noticed many guests who did simply that – however Mo’orea gives so many alternatives for journey and exploration as nicely, each on the Sofitel and outdoors its partitions. ATV excursions enable vacationers to rumble by the island’s lush wilderness and thru fields of contemporary pineapples. Boat excursions go away day by day from Sofitel Kia Ora and supply a singular perspective of your complete perimeter of Mo’orea from these clear blue waters exterior the reef. The property additionally gives different aquatic actions company can expertise throughout their keep like scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling and extra.
I discover myself wanting again on my footage and movies from the Sofitel Kia Ora usually, each time I have to distract myself from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan or need a reminder of simply how stunning that little piece of paradise is. Between the unequalled hospitality, essentially the most attractive waters I’ve ever seen and the fantastic thing about a land that may solely be seen to be believed, I can’t quickly neglect my time in Mo’orea.
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The rooms
Two phrases: overwater bungalow. This was my first time experiencing an overwater bungalow, and I need to say, with the ability to plop my ft within the water every morning whereas having fun with my contemporary Tahitian pineapple juice and occasional was a recreation changer. With spacious loos, coffeemakers and a free minibar refilled day by day, the lodging have been proper on par with the remainder of the property. I particularly loved the glass panel within the flooring to view the lagoon beneath. Observe that one of many overwater bungalows on the property is wheelchair accessible.
Professional tip: BYO pool float to lounge within the lagoon and admire the unimaginable sea life. I noticed a couple of company participating on this all through my keep and it appeared like such a sensible hack.
There are additionally beachfront villas and bungalows situated all through the property, offering a extra budget-friendly possibility for company not desirous to splurge on the overwater retreats.
@lonelyplanet Wait til you see how Polynesian ladies use this stunning (and practical) flower! If solely TikTok had smellevision. #tahiti #moorea #ylangylang #flower ♬ original sound – gonzalo
The meals
I already talked about my quick and overwhelming obsession with the marinated fish on property. I resisted the urge to order it at each meal (although I nonetheless had it not less than as soon as a day) and was in a position to attempt numerous totally different dishes, each within the day by day American-style, Tahitian-influenced breakfast buffet, in addition to the lunch and dinner choices on the two eating places on property.
Pure is the principle restaurant on the property, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner day by day. It gives a bit of little bit of every part – from burgers and sandwiches to the freshest seafood and veggie choices.
When eating at Pure, the standard Tahitian dance present, carried out twice weekly, is to not be missed. The dancers start the present by explaining a bit concerning the historical past of Polynesian dance and the three most important varieties, and the way tales are handed on from era to era. The hour-long present had a minimum of 10 costume adjustments and supplied a charming have a look at Tahiti’s tradition and historical past.
Seashore Bar is located proper on the personal seashore and serves up drinks like piña coladas, margaritas and contemporary coconuts when it’s time to rehydrate. Vue Bar, situated proper subsequent to Pure, with extra unimaginable views of that signature crystal clear water, is the right spot to seize a nightcap earlier than heading again to your bungalow for the night.
Island hopping in French Polynesia
The world
Mo’orea is ready aside from all the opposite islands of French Polynesia because of its distinctive mountain vary. The barrier reef surrounding the island units the scene for one of the distinctive pure wonders I’ve ever seen. The reef has 11 “gates” all through that enable for boats to cross by, and the waves off the reef supply a few of the finest browsing round.
Studying to surf within the Land of Giants
The facilities
Le Jardin Spa and Beauty, the indoor/outside spa on property gives a menu of enjoyable and rejuvenating remedies, a lot of which embody pure components discovered proper on the property just like the tiare (a kind of gardenia), vanilla and aloe vera vegetation. When you neglect to reapply the SPF and get a gnarly sunburn on day one like yours actually, head on right down to the spa and the workforce will care for you.
The Sofitel Kia Ora is the one property with its personal personal seashore on the island, and the on-property aquatic heart is the place company can borrow snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards and extra. Head there to speak to their guides and pick the actions which might be finest for you. If the seashore isn’t your factor, the infinity pool gives a welcoming and enjoyable escape.
Sofitel additionally gives an inventory of different curated experiences, like a private dock-side canoe breakfast, romantic dinner for 2 on the deck, a personal dinner within the sand and extra. The workforce is devoted to making sure your time on the resort is unforgettable and so they’re more than pleased to drag out all of the stops to take action.
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The value
The luxurious overwater bungalows begin round $800 USD/night time, and the garden-view villas and bungalows begin round $500 USD/night time. These are positively among the many extra inexpensive methods to remain on this spendy vacation spot.
