paul gauguin shore excursions

[bgp]

We are going on the Paul Gauguin and want to know about the island circumnavigation by Jet Boat. Can anyone give feedback on any of the excursions in Bora Bora, Moorea or other stops on the 7 day cruise.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I can't tell you about the jet skis. But the rest of the excursions comprise a big topic. You can't do everything, but you need to think about the types of excursions and what you're interested in. Do you love the water primarily? Do you like to sail or hike? Are you interested in the history and culture of the islands? The scenery?

[poolechick]

We've been on the PG twice. The first time we did the 4x4 excursion and we really enjoyed it. This past March when we visited, we did the jet boat excursion and it was wonderful!! Can't say enough good things about it. They take you all the way around the island so you can see all the different hotels. They stop 3 times, the first is in shallow water where there are a zillion stingrays. You get out and swim around with them. Sandy bottom so you can just stand there and watch them if you want. The 2nd stop is an AMAZING coral garden with tons of fish and beautiful coral and the final stop is a shallow sandy area where they serve refreshments. We truly loved this excursion. The boat is not that large, maybe a capacity of 25, with bench style seating at the front and "banana boat" type seating at the back. Because there were some older folks onboard, the guides didn't drive too fast, but it was still exhilarating.

[catmommy]

We are going on the Paul Gauguin and want to know about the island circumnavigation by Jet Boat. Can anyone give feedback on any of the excursions in Bora Bora, Moorea or other stops on the 7 day cruise.

 

We just got off the 14 day Tahiti to Fiji.

 

In Moorea we did the Trails of the Acients with Mark Eddoes. I thought that was just fab *but* I did find it taxing and I think if myself as being in good shape. The "trails" can be fairly steep and there are leaves which can be slippery even it if has not been raining. Mark has his assistant cut walking polls and while we said we did not need them several folks did end up using them. We also had to wait for the last two folks to come down the trail since the man had leg/knee problems.

 

But Mark and the stories he tells are very interesting.

 

But the description is correct and they are not making it seem harder than it is.

 

Now I know Mike is going to disagree but I was a passenger on one of the jet skis in Bora Bora. For the first 20 minutes I just held on with my eyes closed because I got a faceful of salt water. After that I really saw only the back of DH's head. :) The motu they took us to and the "show" they put on was fun. The last half was better but I don't really think I saw as much of the island as the jet boat folks are describing.

 

So for the cost I would probably not do the jet skis/waverunners againg.

 

Caroline

[mikenbob]

Caroline (aka Catmommy),

 

I would never disagree with someone so agreeable! :) The Waverunners are probably more of an acquired taste (like grappa or pate!). Seriously, there are not a great way to see the island (whether Bora Bora or Moorea), but they are a helluva lot of fun. As you know, our group gets a Waverunner for each individual so that no one has to ride on the back and they go faster that way, too. It is twice as expensive, though. If you are into adrenalin rushes, getting wet, and trying to fly in the air then you should take this excursion. The guide on this last trip knew us from prior trips and that is why he split the group so that we could be a little crazier on the them. If you want to see anything meaningful or have a leisurely ride, then take another excursion. We are repeat visitors to FP and always book the Waverunners! We are already looking at the 2008 schedule to the Marquesas and if we go the first excursions booked will be the Moorea and Bora Bora Waverunners!

 

By the way, we have suggested more wine tastings as possible shipboard activities too. Even if we don't learn anything they would be fun! As for the food, could not agree more. The quality was good and the selection good, but nothing to knock your socks off. However, in all fairness that is probably hard to do on a ship that has to cater to so many different needs. If you think about it, an expensive restaurant in any major city can specialize in a type of food and perfect those specific recipes. On the ship, they have to be more generalists than specialists. Take the galley tour and you will realize what a nightmare it must be to prepare food for 320 guests and approx. 200 crew three or more times a day, plus snacks and nibbles for the various events and be prepared to serve food 24 hours a day...yikes!

 

As for the day room in Fiji, we were sort of kicking ourselves that we didn't just fly home on Saturday night. I would rather have a day lounging around my own house on Sunday, then sitting in that Sheraton waiting on an airport bus. Air Pacific probably did not seem so bad to us since we slept 90% of the way to LAX. If you win the lottery, will you allow us to ride on your private jet?! :)

 

Mike