Tahiti StS - Travel Plans

Welcome Aboard,
You are receiving this because you have signed on to join Tahiti Share the Sail. Confirmation of deposit and balance due will come later. I know some of you are looking to make some travel plans so let's get to it ...

Travel:
Our friends at Tahiti Legends have offered to make travel arrangements for those who would like some help. They have our adventure details. Our contact is Tristan Boun. Her email is bount@tahitilegends.com and her phone is 800-200-1213 x227.

For those who like to book themselves, here is the lowdown:
We meet the boats at Marina Apooiti on the island of Raiatea, 11am on Monday, May 23, 2011. The boats should be back at the same dock by noon on May 30. There are interisland ferries for those who must get back earlier (or later, if we lose you to an island).

We all will be flying into Papeete on the big island of Tahiti – airport code PPT. From there it is a hopper flight or a ferry to Raiatea – RFP. The charter companies have offered to help with transfer shuttles from the airport on Raiatea to Marina Apooiti and the boats, 5 minutes away. Shuttle booking info in a future email.

I have done a quick check on fares: Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete (PPT) is $1298 total with Air New Zealand (or Orbitz.com). It is an 8h 20m flight. Tahiti Nui does it for $1333 on Travelocity.com. It is $1063 on Air France but they don't fly that often (in May 21, out June 3).

Papeete (PPT) to Raiatea (RFP) is $292 total on Air Tahiti. It is a 45 minute flight. Air Tahiti's site: http://www.airtahiti.aero/home.php

Before and After:
I encourage people to come early or stay in the islands after the cruise. Papeete has a bunch of nice waterfront resorts to help you ease into island time on arrival. All the islands have cool places to stay. The sleep aboard the night before is no longer available. As I understand it, the island is pretty full before our adventure with our Shailors. You could try the travel agent above to see if she can find you a spot.

A hotel option on Bora Bora is the Hotel Matira: http://www.hotel-matira.com/ A friend stayed across the way and said Matira was just as nice and less expensive - $438 for 3 nights for the standard bungalow.

Travel Insurance: We do not provide it. If you are interested, there are lots of companies on the web.

Itinerary: Loose. Like in cruising, we'll let the wind and local events decide which order to hit the islands. The islands we intend to explore are Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine and Bora Bora. Our friends at Bloody Mary's on Bora Bora have invited us over for an evening. Stay tuned to find out if we were able to coax the Eric Stone Band to come and play us some songs.

More info below. Questions? Email me: woody@seafaring.com. Otherwise, stand by for more emails in the coming months.

See you in Paradise!

Captain Woody


Details:
-Money is the French Pacific Franc – XPF (or CFP). The exchange is 1 to 94 (basically remove two zeros from the XPF)
-Tahiti time is GMT -10.
-Marina Apooiti was the first Marina developed on this island. Only five minutes from the airport, you’ll find shops, art, crafts, and restaurants.
-Passports required for international travel. It can take some time to get one. Visa's not required for US and Canadians. You can stay up to 30 days … hmmm.
-Ferry service between islands is mid page:
http://www.raiatea.com/gethere.html
-A list of island accommodations from Tahiti Legends:
http://www.tahitilegends.com/LEG/Process.jsp?page=Guide&lastbutton=products&pagename=polynesia_hotels.jsp
-Island websites: http://www.raiatea.com/, click the other island links for their information.
-Lats & Atts Share the Sail webpage: http://www.seafaring.com/magazine/shareTheSail.php

Tahiti StS - Intro

Announcing ...

Tahiti Share the Sail
May 23-30, 2011


It's here!  We've had record response to this Share the Sail. Since our 2011 plans leaked out, we've been flooded with calls and emails.  Come Share the Sail with Bob, Jody, editor Sue, Capt. Woody and staff in the ultimate cruising destination.  When cruisers imagine paradise they dream of French Polynesia.  The islands have it all, from white sand motus and inviting blue water, to tall lush peaks and majestic waterfalls.  The Tahitians are beautiful and genuine.  Placed in the middle of the trade wind belt, the islands are ideal for sailing.  The temperatures are 70's and 80's year 'round.  Paradise found.

Secure your spot!
Booking deposit is $1000.  Click here to book online.
Or call Cheryl M: 888-893-7245 ext. 5
Questions? woody@seafaring.com

Cost details are below ...   

Basic Stuff:
These are not crewed charters with deckhands serving you drinks. This is a Share the adventure. All those aboard are expected to Share in setting the sails, dropping anchor, raising same, meal prep and cleanup.  A skipper is on board to help you learn the ropes ... er, lines.  This is as close as you can get to real cruising without casting off on your own boat!

Cost:
Couples $4100 own stateroom 
Singles $3300 own stateroom or $2300 shared
$100 off cost for LACC members. 

Cost includes your spot on a sailing yacht, staff skipper, partial provisioning (most meals), fuel, taxes, etc.  
Transportation and meals ashore not included.  Deposit holds your spot.  Balance due 60 days from event. Refunds given if a replacement is found under the same terms.  Checking airfare?  The airport code for Papeete is PPT.  Info on the hopper flight, hotels, side-trips, transfers, what to bring etc. will be emailed to you directly ... if you have a spot.

Captain Woody
"Circumnavigating Low Key" is here

More Info:
We have a bunch of cats and have options on some monohulls.  Do you have a preference?  Our Share the Sails include a stateroom (or bunk for a single) and partial food provisioning.  This is basic breakfasts and lunches and a couple dinners.  Most people like to get the local flavor ashore and we always end up with extra food at the end.  You get yourself to the charter base and back and bring trinket and meal money. 
Depending on your flights you may need to book yourself a room.  We are looking into a sleep-aboard the first night.  We do a different anchorage each night in the islands so I encourage people to leave some time on either end of the adventure to explore on their own or go back to the spot they liked the most and spend a couple of days.   Ferries travel throughout the islands. 
Webpage for the event (similar info):  http://www.seafaring.com/magazine/shareTheSail.php

Other details here:  http://tahitisharethesail.blogspot.com/

The Brochure:
Regarded as the most beautiful island in The Pacific and certainly the most beautiful lagoon in the world, Bora Bora boasts tranquil translucent waters and fascinating marine life. Home to just over 4000 inhabitants, the surrounding motu islets of Bora Bora are the ideal spot for a secluded, romantic honeymoon. Matira beach has white, welcoming sand with warm, shallow waters and the island was the first place to build the widely recognized water bungalows that, like sailing, have become synonymous with French Polynesia.

Raiatea is the second largest island of French Polynesia after Tahiti and boasts lush green valleys, stunning waterfalls and pineapple and vanilla plantations.

Tahaa is enclosed in the same lagoon as its twin sister island, Raiatea. Explore peaceful villages or climb up into the mountains for a spectacular view.

Visible from Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora is the peaceful island of Huahine. Comprised of Huahine Nui (big Huahine) and Huahine-Iti (little Huahine), the two islands are joined by a narrow strip of land enclosed within a protective coral necklace. Off shore 'motu' islets lie inside the barrier reef providing luscious gardens for Huahine's watermelon and cantaloupe industry. The lagoon, bordered by white sand beaches, is rich with sea life and the village of Maeva is a wealth of archaeological sites.