Sofitel - Tahiti

[vette]

Has anyone stayed at the Sofitel Hotel Maeve (?) Beach - Tahiti recently. What is it like?

 

Vette

[meherio]

Ia orana

The Maeva was my first home in Tahiti over 30 years ago. The property went through a complete refurvbishement over a year ago. It offers a convenient location near the airport and with access to the carefour supermarket where I always load up on the island goiodies ( Hinano shirt, hinano beer, local fruit jams, coconut soaps, tiare oils, soaps, shapoos, Tamanu oil etc...)

 

The Sofitel Offers a great ratio of price/ quality and value for your money.

I have stayed there a few month back and have enjoyed the poolside at sunset with the cocktail hour and the million dollar view of the sun setting behind Moorea.

 

I hope this comfort you with youre choice for the Sofitel

meherio

[vette]

Ia Orana Meherio,

 

I was hoping you would be able to answer this question. You have really helped me with your description here. Of course, any night in Tahiti is a night in paradise, but it helps to have a nice room with air conditioning and a view of Moorea! :-)

 

Is there a local restaurant anywhere near the hotel which would serve breakfast. The breakfast menu is a little high priced and I would be happy with croissants, fruit and coffee.

In fact, I might be able to buy what I need at the supermarket in the morning.

 

Thanks for your help with this.

 

Vette

[meherio]

Ia Orana

No real other option than going tot he carefour shoppin g center where you can get a breakfast at the snack bar by the entrance

 

I would advise to check the a la carte menu ( and tell the waiter that you are ordering a la carte instead of the $ 40-50 range buffet )

By being careful you would save quite a bit of money and more important that special time on the island

 

I hope this helps

 

meherio

[vette]

Ia Orana,

 

Thanks for the a la carte suggestion. That may make it more reasonable to get breakfast at the hotel. And I also like to get up and walk first thing in the morning, so I might swing by the carefour and see what is available.

 

I am also looking forward to trying the roulettes for supper. Are there any specialties you suggest? I saw them (the ones in the park by the ship) the last time we were there and they really looked interesting.

 

I see in your signature that you are from Moorea. Did you grow up there then move to California? Or do you travel back and forth? I have to tell you that I have fallen in love with the Tahitian Islands and can't wait to be back there in November. I know that tourism is creeping in, but I hope that your islands can stay just like they are, amazing!

 

Now a silly question - could you tell me how to say "thank you" and "your welcome" in your language. I like to learn at least those two words when visiting a "far away land". It is just nice when it brings a smile to people who are helping me.

 

 

Vette

[meherio]

Ia orana

I share my time between California and Moorea. Born in France, I have experienced Fp for the first time (with a feeling of having been there before ) over thirty years ago, and have been a Californian for the last twenty one years.

 

Fp is an expensive dream but when realized so much worth it.

 

For the language, I applaud you for trying. Even a few words can open a heart and smiles so fast.

Here is a link on trip advisor with quite a mouthful of Tahitian language.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g309679-i1940-k1368797-Any_web_resources_for_Tahitian_language-Tahiti_Society_Islands.html

 

Bon voyage

mauru uru roa ( thank you Very much)

and Aita pea'pea ( no worries / can be used as you are welcome)

Meherio (= mermaid, the ones I think I see from my fare)

[meherio]

In case you had difficulties with the link:

First response is to find a fine Tahitian Tane on the island... easiest way to learn the language ( as the japanese would say on the pillow)

 

 

 

 

Other wise from a previous post :

 

 

 

 

From our friends at polynesian islands:

 

 

<<--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Although the official language of French Polynesia is French, the "unofficial" language, Tahitian, is spoken as much, if not more. It is not uncommon to hear locals speaking a combination of Tahitian and French. Because of the way the Tahitian language is pronounced, it is generally easier for Americans to pronounce Tahitian words than it is for them to pronounce words in French. Unlike French (or even English), there are no confusing rules about how words are pronounced. In Tahitian, each letter has a certain sound and that sound remains the same, no matter what the combination of letters.

 

 

Before the arrival of the missionaries in the 1700's, the Tahitian language had never been written. The missionaries took the sounds of the language and matched them to letters in our alphabet. As a result, only 16 letters are used: five vowels, A, E, I, O, U; and eleven consonants, B, F, G, H, K, M, N, P, R, T, V. The letters B, G, and K were not originally used when the language was transcribed. The tahitian word for forbidden is now tabu, but 200 years ago, it was tapu.

 

 

The vowels follow these rules for pronunciation.

 

 

A - pronounced ah as in father

 

 

E - pronounced ay as in may

 

 

I - pronounced ee as in be

 

 

O - pronounced oh as in no

 

 

U - pronounced oo as in rude

 

 

Pronunciation of the consonants is that same as for English.

 

 

Every syllable in the Tahitian language ends in a vowel. There are no silent letters. There are never two consonants together without a vowel between them, but it is quite common for 2 or 3 vowels to be grouped together. In this case, each vowel would be a separate syllable and would be clearly pronounced. There are times when it sounds as though each syllable isn't being pronounced for some words because, as in most languages, syllables are frequently slurred together.

 

 

The only difficult part of pronunciation in Tahitian is the glottal catch. This is when two vowels are separated by an apostrophe, such as in the name of the town, Faa'a. It is the only characteristic that people seem to have trouble with. But it is an important characteristic, because the break can change the meaning of a word entirely.

 

 

Take, for example, the Tahitian word hoe, which means paddle or row. By adding an apostrophe, ho'e, the word becomes one, as in the number. Hoe would be smoothly pronounced ho-ay. Ho'e would be pronounced the same way, phonetically, but with a hesitation after the first syllable, kind of like having someone lightly punch you in the stomach at the end of the ho.

 

 

Another aspect of the language comes from the early contact with the missionaries. There are many Tahitian words that sound very similar to English, such as Tenuare, pronounced ten-oo-ah-ray, which means January, or Fepuare (feh-poo-ah-ray), which is February.

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Some Tahitian Phrases

 

 

Hello (general greeting) ---> Ia Orana (yo-rah-nah)

 

 

How are you? ---> Maita'i oe? (my-tie oh-ay)

 

 

I am fine. ---> Maita'i vau. (my-tie vah-oo)

 

 

Thank you. ---> Mauruuru. (mah-roo-roo)

 

 

Bye bye. ---> Nana. (nah-nah)

 

 

What's new? ---> Eaha te parau api? (ay-ah-ha tay pah-rah-oo ah-pee)

 

 

Do you speak English? ---> Ua ite oe i te parau Marite? (oo-ah ee-tay oh-ay ee tay pah- rah-oo mah-ree-tay)

 

 

I don't understand. ---> Aita i papu ia'u. (eye-tah ee pah-poo ee-ah-oo)

 

 

Please speak slowly. ---> Faa taere te parau. (fah-ah tah-ay-ray tay pah-rah-oo)

 

 

Repeat please. ---> Tapiti. (tah-pee-tee)

 

 

What's your name? ---> O vai to oe i'oa? (oh vah-ee toh oh-ay ee-oh-ah)

 

 

My name is Chris. ---> O Chris to'u i'oa. (oh kris toh-oo ee-oh-ah)

 

 

Where do you live? ---> Ihea oe e faeia ai? (ee-hay-ah oh-ay ay fah-ay-ee-ah ah-ee)

 

 

I live in California. ---> I California vau e faeia ai. (ee California vah-oo ay fah-ay-ee-ah ah-ee)

 

 

Where are you from? ---> Nohea mai oe? (noh-hay-ah my oh-ay)

 

 

I am from America. ---> No te Fenua Marite mai vau. (noh tay feh-noo-ah mah-ree-tay my vah-oo)

 

 

Show me the way to ... ---> Fa'aite mai ia'u ite e'a ... (fah-eye-tay my ee-ah-oo ee-tay ay-ah)

 

 

Let's go! ---> Haere tatou! (ha-ay-ray tah-toh-oo)

 

 

Come here! ---> Haere mai! (ha-ay-ray my)

 

 

Turn right. ---> Na te pae atau. (nah tay pah-ay ah-tah-oo)

 

 

Turn left. ---> Na te pae aui. (nah tay pah-ay ah-wee)

 

 

Please take me to ... ---> Arave ato'a ia'u ... (ah-rah-vay ah-toh-ah ee-ah-oo)

 

 

I want to speak to Chris. ---> Hina'aro vau e parau ia Chris. (hee-nah-ah-roh vah-oo ay pah-rah-oo ee-ah kris)

 

 

Who is this? ---> Ovai te ie? (oh-vie tay ee-ay)

 

 

What is the name of this? ---> Eaha tei'oa ote'ie? (ay-ah-ha tay-ee-oh-ah oh-tay-ee-ay)

 

 

What is the price of this? ---> Ehia moni te'ie? (ay-hee-ah moh-nee tay-ee-ay)

 

 

What's wrong? ---> Eaha te tumu? (ay-ah-ha tay too-moo)

 

 

Look! ---> A hi'o! (ah hee-oh)

 

 

Hurry up! ---> Ha'a viti viti! (ha-ah vee-tee vee-tee)

 

 

Take it easy! ---> Haere maru! (ha-ay-ray mah-roo)

 

 

To your health! ---> Manuia! (mah-nwee-ah)

 

 

This is very good. ---> E mea maita'i roa teie. (ay may-ah my-tie roh-ah tay-ee-ay)

 

 

Do you want a drink? ---> Hina'aro oe e inu? (hee-nah-ah-roh oh-ay ay ee-noo)

 

 

Are you hungry? ---> Ua poia anei oe? (oo-ah poh-ee-ah ah-nay-ee oh-ay)

 

 

Yes ---> E (ay)

 

 

No ---> Aita (eye-tah)

 

 

What? ---> Eaha? (ay-ah-ha)

 

 

Why? ---> No te aha? (noh tay ah-ha)

 

 

I love you. ---> Ua here vau ia oe. (oo-ah hay-ray ee-ah oh-ay)

 

 

Merry Christmas. ---> Ia orana no te noere. (yo-rah-nah noh tay noh-ay-ray)

 

 

Happy New Year. ---> Ia orana i te matahiti api. (yo-rah-nah ee tay mah-tah-hee-tee ah-pee) >>

 

 

http://www.polynesianislands.com/fp/tahitian.html

 

 

Also from our friends at Tahiti1 :

 

 

English - Tahitian Vocabulary

 

 

Verbs

 

 

 

 

to do, to make, e hamani

 

 

 

 

to know, e ite

 

 

 

 

to sing, e himene

 

 

 

 

to dance, e ori

 

 

 

 

to give,e horoa

 

 

 

 

to speak, e parau

 

 

 

 

to ask, e ani

 

 

 

 

to walk, e haere

 

 

 

 

to take, e rave

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numbers

 

 

 

 

one, hoe

 

 

 

 

two, piti

 

 

 

 

three, toru

 

 

 

 

four, maha

 

 

 

 

five, pae

 

 

 

 

six, ono

 

 

 

 

seven, hitu

 

 

 

 

eight, vau

 

 

 

 

nine, iva

 

 

 

 

ten, ahuru

 

 

 

 

a hundred, hoe hanere

 

 

 

 

a thousand, hoe tauatini

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colours

 

 

 

 

red, uteute

 

 

 

 

white, teatea

 

 

 

 

blue, ninamu, moana

 

 

 

 

green, matie

 

 

 

 

black, ereere

 

 

 

 

yellow, rearea

 

 

 

 

orange, anani

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature

 

 

 

 

the rainbow, te anuanua

 

 

 

 

the sky, te rai

 

 

 

 

the sun, te r5, te mahana

 

 

 

 

the moon, te avae

 

 

 

 

the star, te fetia

 

 

 

 

the wind, te matai

 

 

 

 

the sea, te miti

 

 

 

 

the rain, te ua

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countries

 

 

 

 

France, Farani

 

 

 

 

Japan, Tapone

 

 

 

 

China, Taine

 

 

 

 

U.S.A., Marite

 

 

 

 

Germany, Purutia Heremani

 

 

 

 

England, Peretane

 

 

 

 

Russia, Rutia

 

 

 

 

The family

 

 

 

 

the father, te metua tane

 

 

 

 

the mother, te metua vahine

 

 

 

 

the son, te tamaiti

 

 

 

 

the daughter, te tamahine

 

 

 

 

the boy, te tamaroa

 

 

 

 

the girl, te potii

 

 

 

 

the relative, te fetii

 

 

 

 

grandchildren, te mau motua

 

 

 

 

adoptive parents, metua faaamu

 

 

 

 

adopted children, tamarii faaamu

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

 

 

 

 

day, te ao

 

 

 

 

night, te p6, te rui

 

 

 

 

morning, te poipoi

 

 

 

 

evening, te ahiahi

 

 

 

 

tomorrow, ananahi

 

 

 

 

yesterday, inanahi

 

 

 

 

year, te matahiti

 

 

 

 

Monday, monire

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, mahana piti

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, mahana toru

 

 

 

 

Thursday, mahana maha

 

 

 

 

Friday, mahana pae

 

 

 

 

Saturday, mahana maa

 

 

 

 

Sunday, tapati

 

 

 

 

January, tenuare

 

 

 

 

February, fepuare

 

 

 

 

March, mati

 

 

 

 

April, eperera

 

 

 

 

May, M6

 

 

 

 

June, tiunu

 

 

 

 

July, tiurai

 

 

 

 

August, atete

 

 

 

 

September, tetepa

 

 

 

 

October, atopa

 

 

 

 

November, novema

 

 

 

 

December, titema '

 

 

 

 

tahiti1.com/language/language-vocabulary.htm

 

 

 

 

Ok since you have asked for these, there will be an oral test before the agent can give you the boarding pass for your flight to Papeete!

 

 

Enjoy

 

 

Mauru uru roa !

 

 

meherio

[meherio]

the following is to be enjoyed with yourt tahitian coconut filled croissant:

Another source ( the best : trip advisor ! )

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294338-s604/French-P…

 

 

Inside French Polynesia: Important Phrases

 

The official languages of French Polynesia are French and Tahitian, although each island group has its own language. Following are some important phrases in Tahitian, with pronunciation guide in parentheses:

 

 

Hello (general greeting) Ia Orana (yo-rah-nah)

 

 

How are you? Maita’i oe? (my-tie oh-ay)

 

 

I am fine. Maita’i vau. (my-tie vah-oo)

 

 

Thank you. Mauruuru. (mah-roo-roo) Add ROA for very Much

 

 

Bye bye. Nana. (nah-nah)

 

 

Do you speak English? Ua ite oe i te parau Marite? (oo-ah ee-tay oh-ay ee

tay pah- rah-oo mah-ree-tay)

 

 

I don’t understand. Aita i papu ia’u. (eye-tah ee pah-poo ee-ah-oo)

 

 

Please speak slowly. Faa taere te parau. (fah-ah tah-ay-ray tay pah-rah-oo)

 

 

Repeat please. Tapiti. (tah-pee-tee)

 

 

What is your name? O vai to oe i’oa? (oh vah-ee toh oh-ay ee-oh-ah)

 

 

My name is John. O Joan to’u i’oa. (oh John toh-oo ee-oh-ah)

 

 

Where are you from? Nohea mai oe? (noh-hay-ah my oh-ay)

 

 

I am from America. No te Fenua Marite mai vau. (noh tay feh-noo-ah mah-ree-tay my vah-oo)

 

 

Show me the way to... Fa’aite mai ia’u ite e’a ... (fah-eye-tay my ee-ah-oo ee-tay ay-ah)

 

 

Let’s go! Haere tatou! (ha-ay-ray tah-toh-oo)

 

 

Come here! Haere mai! (ha-ay-ray my)

 

 

Turn right. Na te pae atau. (nah tay pah-ay ah-tah-oo)

 

 

Turn left. Na te pae aui. (nah tay pah-ay ah-wee)

 

 

Please take me to ... Arave ato’a ia’u ... (ah-rah-vay ah-toh-ah ee-ah-oo)

 

 

I want to speak to John. Hina’aro vau e parau ia John. (hee-nah-ah-roh vah-

oo ay pah-rah-oo ee-ah John)

 

 

Who is this? Ovai te ie? (oh-vie tay ee-ay)

 

 

What is the name of this? Eaha tei’oa ote’ie? (ay-ah-ha tay-ee-oh-ah oh-tay-ee-ay)

 

 

What is the price of this? Ehia moni te’ie? (ay-hee-ah moh-nee tay-ee-ay)

 

 

What’s wrong? Eaha te tumu? (ay-ah-ha tay too-moo)

 

 

Look! A hi’o! (ah hee-oh)

 

 

Hurry up! Ha’a viti viti! (ha-ah vee-tee vee-tee)

 

 

Take it easy! Haere maru! (ha-ay-ray mah-roo)

 

 

To your health! Manuia! (mah-nwee-ah)

 

 

This is very good. E mea maita’i roa teie. (ay may-ah my-tie roh-ah tay-ee-ay)

 

 

Do you want a drink? Hina’aro oe e inu? (hee-nah-ah-roh oh-ay ay ee-noo)

 

 

Are you hungry? Ua poia anei oe? (oo-ah poh-ee-ah ah-nay-ee oh-ay)

 

 

Yes E (ay)

 

 

No Aita (eye-tah)

 

 

What? Eaha? (ay-ah-ha)

 

 

French and Tahitian are the official languages of Tahiti & Her Islands. English is spoken in all hotels. On most of the larger islands you will also find English spoken in most shops and restaurants. However, as you get to more of the remote islands, you will find fewer people speaking English. Most Americans will find it easier to pronounce Tahitian words than French. Yes, there are a lot of vowels, but each letter is pronounced and that pronunciation never changes. Vowels A: pronounced ah as papa E: pronounced ay as bay I: pronounced ee as see O: pronounced oh as show U: pronounced oo as boot Consonants are pronounced the same as in English.

 

enjoy

Meherio

[vette]

Ia orana Meherio,

 

Mauru uru roa for all this wonderful information. I have printed it all out and hopefully will be able to remember some of it while touring the islands in November.

 

Yum, coconut filled croissants. Sounds wonderful. Guess I'll have to get me hoe or piti of them. :-)

 

Nana

 

Vette

[Sassy Chassis]

We stayed at the Sofitel on our first night in Tahiti, prior to boarding the Star Flyer.

 

It is a very nice hotel. We opted for the very expensive Polynesian brunch buffet, complete with dancers and a roasted pig! The rooms at the Sofitel were not as large as the Radisson, but they were very nice and I loved the decor of the hotel.

 

Here's my night shot:

 

You can see more of my trip pics in my PhotoBucket.

[vette]

Sassy,

 

Thank you for the lovely picture of the Sofitel and the nice recommendation. It looks perfect for our night pre-cruise.

 

p.s. I love your pictures!

[meherio]

Ia orana

great photos!!

meherio

[Sassy Chassis]

Thanks!

 

I had a really great time in FP :D It truly is a magical place. I hope we can go back someday and spend more time!!

[vette]

Hi Sassy,

 

Sounds like you feel in love with Tahiti like I did. Hope you make it back there someday.

 

Vette

[Kinkacruiser]

Hi Vette,

We also spent one night there before and after our cruise in Nov/Dec 08. Thought that the huge upstairs area overlooking Moorea was just awesome, also the pool area & sand beach and the decor in the hotel generally.

It's also close to the big Champion supermarket (10 min walk).

Enjoy your time there and the cruise.

Cheers,

Anna

[vette]

Thanks for the good review of the Sofitel. I am looking forward to our stay there in November. Glad the Supermarket is so close.

 

Vette

[FunLuv'n]

Vette,

Somehow I thought I might find you over on this board. Like I said, I'm jealous you are going back so soon, and without us. We will get there again, hopefully next year.

Have a great trip, when your in paradise there is no bad trip, that is for sure.:)

[vette]

Hi Penny,

 

Of course I am here trying to find out all I can about our stay in Tahiti. As you can see we have made plans for our extra night in paradise and I think we have found a good hotel to stay at. It has a pool and a great view of Moorea - what more could I want!

 

Looks like your trip to the Greek Isles is getting closer too!.

 

Vette