Once a month I want to share fun stories and life updates so that we can get to know each other a little better. Since I recently visited Tahiti, I thought that would be the perfect place to start! (Not all of my posts will be as exotic as this one.)
This is my husband, Ian! We got married on November 11, 2017, and spent more than a year saving for our belated honeymoon to French Polynesia (Tahiti). It was 100% worth the wait. Tahiti is made up of 118 islands, including Moorea where we spent six nights, and Bora Bora where we spent three nights. I could spend hours waxing poetic about how stunning Tahiti is, but honestly pictures and words don’t do it justice. So I’ll just give you a few of the highlights!
On our first full day in Moorea we took a tour of the island, visiting the highest mountain peaks, an old temple, a pineapple plantation, an agriculture school and a black pearl shop. We learned that the two main wild animals on the island are chickens (and roosters) and wild boar. We saw chicken and roosters everywhere, including in the breakfast room in our resort! I refused to eat chicken while I was there.
Let me just take a minute to say how amazing the pineapple in Moorea is. It’s smaller and sweeter than Dole pineapple, and you can even eat the core. I think I ate my weight in pineapple on this trip! I’m also obsessed with Tahitian vanilla ice cream. I brought home several bottles of Tahitian vanilla extract, and I’m already sad about the day that I run out.
The next day we took a lagoon tour and swam with stingrays and sharks! I honestly can’t believe I did this. I was freaked out at first but slowly became more comfortable. I even decided that stingrays are cute.
Other highlights from Moorea include the Polynesian theme night, where we saw some amazing dancers, and meeting new friends who live close to where Ian grew up in Wisconsin! We relaxed a lot and enjoyed swimming in our private plunge pool, the infinity pool and the lagoon. Fun fact: Moorea and Bora Bora are surrounded by lagoons. The waves break farther out where the coral reefs are.
We thought Moorea was beautiful, but then we flew to Bora Bora. It literally took my breath away. I’ve never seen such turquoise water or a brighter sun. In fact, our first full day in Bora Bora is the only time I got seriously sunburned. But it happened while kayaking and snorkeling, so it’s okay. 🙂
We stayed in an overwater bungalow, which was so cool! There was a glass coffee table with a glass bottom so that you could see the fish swimming below. And of course an amazing view.
I also went paddle boarding in Bora Bora, which felt like a dream. I think this last picture best captures the beauty of the water.
I lost count of the number of times I thought, “This can’t be real. This must be fake. Nothing is this beautiful.” It’s an expensive trip, but if you can make it there you won’t regret it. We’re already planning a return trip in 10 years!
