vette Posted April 6, 2009 #1 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Has anyone stayed at the Sofitel Hotel Maeve (?) Beach - Tahiti recently. What is it like? Vette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meherio Posted April 6, 2009 #2 Share Posted April 6, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted April 7, 2009 Author #3 Share Posted April 7, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meherio Posted April 8, 2009 #4 Share Posted April 8, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted April 8, 2009 Author #5 Share Posted April 8, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meherio Posted April 8, 2009 #6 Share Posted April 8, 2009 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meherio Posted April 8, 2009 #7 Share Posted April 8, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meherio Posted April 8, 2009 #8 Share Posted April 8, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted April 9, 2009 Author #9 Share Posted April 9, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sassy Chassis Posted April 15, 2009 #10 Share Posted April 15, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted April 15, 2009 Author #11 Share Posted April 15, 2009 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meherio Posted April 15, 2009 #12 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Ia orana great photos!! meherio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sassy Chassis Posted April 15, 2009 #13 Share Posted April 15, 2009 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!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted April 16, 2009 Author #14 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Hi Sassy, Sounds like you feel in love with Tahiti like I did. Hope you make it back there someday. Vette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kinkacruiser Posted April 24, 2009 #15 Share Posted April 24, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted April 24, 2009 Author #16 Share Posted April 24, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunLuv'n Posted May 12, 2009 #17 Share Posted May 12, 2009 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.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted May 13, 2009 Author #18 Share Posted May 13, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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