Intercontinental Bora Bora and Thalasso Spa

 

The Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa resort is one of my favorite resorts in Bora Bora.  By far, they have the best spa on the island.  When a spa treatment is scheduled, you are entitled to use the rest of the spa areas for the day.  The spa has a relaxing Pearl Rain Massage, Deep Sea Hydromassage Bath, Deep Chiller Walk (you walk through a narrow canal of water with jets aimed at your calves, stimulating blood flow), jacuzzi, steam room, and the Arctic Plunge (go from the steam room to the Arctic Plunge and feel the exhilaration!).  The wonderful thing about the massage tables is when you are face down on the massage table and looking through the opening in the table, you are looking through a glass floor and watching the colorful fish swim by.  What could be more relaxing?

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 for more information

Give the Gift of a Day at the Spa

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, have you thought about what you might want to give your significant other as a gift?  With the way this winter has been, with all the snow here in NJ, why not give the gift of a day at the spa? What is better than being treated to a hot stone massage, a mani/pedi, maybe a seaweed wrap?  Or how about a couples' massage?  Now you both get the royal treatment!

Bernadette Smith, a Health and Spa Travel Specialist, reminds us of the basic spa etiquette that should be followed, such as arriving early to your appointment, turning off your cell phone, and more.  So check out some spas in your area and pick up a gift certificate or schedule that special day for your loved one.  It makes a great Valentine's Day gift.

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 for more information

Cruise News

The Norwegian Dawn and the Norwegian Spirit will be going into dry dock for refurbishment in May and September, respectively.  The Norwegian Sun is back in business after having her 33 suites and public areas upgraded.  One of the changes is that the Pacific Heights restaurant was replaced with Moderno Churrascaria, a Brazilian barbecue restaurant.  The Norwegian Epic has the same restaurant and it has been a very popular venue on the ship.

Royal Caribbean will be adding solo passenger cabins in the spring when the Radiance of the Seas goes into dry dock.  There will only be three such cabins, all inside.  The Norwegian Epic has inside studio cabins for solo passengers.  These studios have a common area, living room style, where the solo passengers can meet and get to know each other.

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 for further information

Bridal Show at the Buttonwood Manor this Week

Please come visit The Travel Bug Vacation Planners at the Buttonwood Manor this Thursday, January 27th!

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187

Getting Married in Tahiti

Now that weddings in Tahiti are recognized as legal in the United States, what could be a more romantic setting than on the beautiful warm, sandy beaches of Tahiti.  Some of the resorts you might consider are the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa, the Intercontinental Moorea Resort and Spa, and the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort.  The ceremonies can be as elaborate or as simple as the bride and groom would like. 

The ceremony usually takes place on the beach, with tiki torches, Polynesian dancers, and musicians playing their music.  One tradition is the blowing of the conch shell.  Someone blows into the shell three times at the start of the ceremony.  This represents the presence of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and is based on a Christian influence.  The couple may dress in wedding pareos with vibrant flower prints on them.  The women wear theirs as a dress and the men tie their wraps as a skirt.  The bride may also wear a haku lei, which is a small circle of flowers, around her head for the ceremony.

The bride and groom may choose to exchange leis with each other during the ceremony as a sign of their everlasting love. The bride and groom traditionally kiss after the leis are placed around their necks. After the ceremony, the bride and groom are wrapped in a wedding quilt called a tifaifai, which is decorated in traditional Polynesian style.   

Photo © Mary McGrath
For more information:
Mary@thetravelbugonline.com
732-747-8187
http://www.thetravelbugonline.com/

Overwater Bungalow or Beach Bungalow?

Last March I spent 8 days in the islands of French Polynesia, visiting the islands of Tahiti, Tikehau, Taha'a, Moorea, and Bora Bora.  I stayed in overwater bungalows in all but one resort.  These bungalows are beautiful - he rooms are large, the view spectacular, and there are "Tahitian televisions" in the rooms.  The Tahitian televisions are either glass in the floors or in a table which gives you a view beneath the bungalow where you can see the coral and watch the colorful fish swim by. You also have a private deck with steps leading down to the turquoise water below.  I think everyone who goes to these islands should make sure to spend a few nights in an overwater bungalow. 

There is a benefit, however, to staying in a beach bungalow.  If you would like to be able to go outside your bungalow and lounge on the beach, this might be the option for you.  Your beach area is private to you only, there are usually lounge chairs set up for your bungalow, and you can walk right in to the water from your private beach.  Since many people visit more than one island in French Polynesia, maybe your best bet is to stay in a beach bungalow at one resort and follow it with an overwater bungalow at the other resort. 

Photo  © Mary McGrath

What to See and Do in Tahiti

Many visitors to French Polynesia only use the island of Tahiti as a stepping stone to the other islands.  This is fine if you only have a week or so to spend in French Polynesia, and during that time, most people will visit Bora Bora and Moorea.  However if your plans include a longer stay, say two weeks, why not include two nights in Tahiti so you can see what the island has to offer.

Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

There are many things to see and do in Tahiti.  In addition to all the sunbathing and water sports that are available, there are many other things to do on the island of Tahiti.  Here is a short list:

• Visit the Black Pearl Museum, which is the only museum in the world dedicated to pearls.  
• Explore the Paul Gauguin Museum and learn about the life of the famous French painter who spent his final years in French Polynesia
• Go shopping in the market, Le Marche, in Pape'ete where you will find black pearl jewelry, colorful pareos, handcrafted items, and vanilla
• Go on a whale watching expedition
• Take a helicopter tour of the island
• Explore the lava tubes
• Watch an outrigger canoe race (especially popular during the celebration of Bastille Day)
• See the Tiki statues which are religious statues made of wood and stone

I feel that this island is often overlooked and undervalued, but as you can see, there are plenty of things to see and do if you plan to stay a couple of days.

Why Not Plan a Trip to French Polynesia

Tiare Flower
© Mary McGrath

French Polynesia, commonly referred to as Tahiti, is comprised of over 400  islands in the South Pacific, with the islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea being the most visited.  They are part of the Society Islands and they are not as far away as many people might think.  The flight from Los Angeles is only 8 hours, and by flying Air Tahiti Nui, the flight becomes part of the fun.  After taking off, the flight attendants, dressed in traditional uniforms, change into flowered shirts and casual clothes.  All your food and drinks are included in the flight and you have your own personal tv set with many options from movies, tv shows, games (which you can also play against others on the plane), or just watch the course of the plane ride while listening to music.  The flight attendants are so accommodating and make sure you keep well hydrated by passing around glasses of water throughout the flight.  On your return, you will take a red eye flight back to Los Angeles.  If you are flying to another destination after Los Angeles, you might want to spend a few days there first.  Same goes for the flight to Tahiti.  If you are flying from the east coast, why not break up your flights by an overnight stay in Los Angeles and then continuing on to paradise, the Islands of French Polynesia.

Coming next ---what to see and do in Tahiti

Please contact me for your trip to Paradise! 
Mary McGrath
732-747-8187

Adding Another Dimension

I have recently become a writer for the examiner.com.  You can read my posts and comment on them by clicking this link.  I hope you enjoy reading my posts - I have been assigned to write romance travel articles.  If you have any thoughts as to articles you would like to read, or if you have any questions you would like answered, just post them here or on the examiner site and I will be happy to answer you.