honeymoon resort 3: bora bora
Feast your eyes on Bora Bora folks!! I feel so blessed to have been able to visit this place and see its beauty with my very own eyes. Nothing compares to it than anything I’ve seen in my life. It was super fun and eye candy all the way. Glad we took tons of photos to remember our days there. Enjoy the story telling below.
Upon landing in Bora Bora I spotted Audrina Patridge at the food counter with her boyfriend Corey Bohan. She was on her way home (hence the shell necklace) while I had the flower lei on as a welcome.
Our bedroom for 1 night.
The glass bottom table that slides open.
Can you imagine the great parties we can throw on this deck? Such a waste that it was only me and Rob.
We were greeted with champagne.
Rob and I finished the entire bottle.
We were pleasantly surprised with a note and gift from the Dang family. They got us a couples massage! So sweet of them!! Thank you Tony, Helen, Aiden, and Dylan! We enjoyed it very much.
That first night in Bora Bora we went up to the main resort to find some dinner. To our dismay the only thing offered was a buffet that cost $90 per person. Seeing such the high price tag we opted to go back to our room to order room service instead which ended up being much cheaper. Too bad they ended up bringing us the worst caesar salad we have ever tasted. If you know me, you know I order caesar salad everywhere I go so I know my caesar salads. Good thing that was the only bad thing about Bora Bora.
Since we only had 1 night in the overwater bungalow, we wanted to make the most of our time there. Woke up before sunrise to catch every minute of Bora Bora’s colors coming to life.
Our neighbor’s bungalow at sunrise.
The bungalow we called ours for only 16 hours.
I love how this photo gives us perspective on the location of the bungalow and the beauty of the view.
Ariel view of the resort. We stayed in the one that is circled.
The overwater bungalow system. I really wonder where stuff goes when you flush the toilets on ’em? Somebody please find the answer to that one!
So happy to be in Bora Bora that I had to jump for joy.
This is the resort’s pool area.
This is the resort’s white sand beaches.
We went swimming and snorkeling around our overwater bungalow. I’m sitting on our deck drying up. Thanks, Helen & Cat, for the bikini!
Rob is pretty far out and the water is still only to his waist and swimming pool clear. I think that’s just nuts and unheard of.
What a gorgeous view. I can sunbathe in this view all day any day.
Mimi comes out to enjoy the sun.
We lure the coral fish to come around with some dinner rolls.
Here’s video of the luring with bread.
A panoramic shot before we say good-bye to the gorgeous view. Click on the image for a full view.
We bid our overwater bungalow good-bye. Our time there was short but the memories were great!
The walkway up to our beach bungalow we call home for the last 2 nights in Bora Bora.
I think it’s so great how the whole structure is 90% bamboo. Feels like Gilligan’s Island but in a 5 star kind of way.
Beach bungalow living room.
Beach bungalow bedroom.
Even the bathroom sink and shower is outdoors.
And we have our own private jacuzzi and loungers.
Rob chillin’ in our living room enjoying the view.
The view out the window. Isn’t that just heavenly?
Can’t forget the Maui Babe.
Can’t get enough of relaxation in a hammock.
Relaxing in paradise outside our beach bungalow.
Rob chillin’ in his mini fort.
Hang drying his and hers swimwear.
Rob waiting to get on the boat to the main island.
St. James beachfront restaurant
Rob enjoying a beer and the view.
Rob taking a much needed nap on the hammock.
Rob drinking some cognac, listening to some music with Mimi.
Photo op time.
There’s a faint rainbow behind us. Hard to see.
It started sprinkling a bit and a rainbow appeared!
Ready for dinner. Waiting for the boat ride to the main island.
We had our best meal at Le Matira Beach Restaurant on our last night in Bora Bora.
Complimentary tuna dish.
Scallops
Lobster tail and filet
Souffle dessert
On our last day we went kayaking and fed the coral fish.
Rob feeding the coral fish from the bungalow deck.
Underwater shot of the coral fish.
The coral fish swimming around Rob.
Short video clip of the under water coral fish action.
Some jacuzzi time before checking out.
After check out we had a good 6 hours before departing so we made our way back into town where we sent out a few postcards.
We also had time to chill on the road ghetto style and finish off the last of our cognac.
I received a free pearl in Moorea and Bora Bora and decided to put the 2 onto a ring to commemorate our honeymoon.
The good-bye sunset from Bora Bora.
Rob waiting for our ride at LAX.
Overall we LOVED our time in Tahiti. Bora Bora is an amazing place. If you can afford it, spend your entire honeymoon there. Everything’s just much more expensive on that island versus the main island of Tahiti and the island of Moorea. We were glad to have spent time on 2 islands to get a different perspective of things and to change things up as well. I think we’d love to go back someday but there is so much more of the world we want to see. If we have that luxury we would definitely love to make a return visit–hopefully with friends in tow.
Filed under Blog | Comments (4)honeymoon resort 2: intercontinental moorea
The next 4 nights of our honeymoon is at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort. We were lucky b/c they had just finished renovating just two weeks earlier so we were one of the first to experience the resort at its best. The people are super friendly and speak 3 languages: Tahitian, English, and French. We did pick up some French and Tahitian along the way but it was all very basic. We got around just fine using English only. Now…scroll down for the next half hour to share in our adventures in Moorea.
Day 1 at the resort we just hung out, explored the resort, and planned out our adventures for the next few days. They greeted us with 2 very yummy tropical drinks. The pineapple was soo good. I ate both pieces.
Say hello to our home for the next 4 nights.
Living room with a couch, desk, tv and stocked mini bar. Huge sliding glass door opens up to our own deck.
Bedroom was nice and cozy with a ceiling fan and A/C unit.
His and hers sinks with a bathtub and open shower.
Front yard view from our bungalow deck.
Beach bungalow neighbors
His and hers loungers
Me enjoying the view and nice weather.
Beautiful lagoon view from our deck. Spot anything funny?
One of my favorite shots. Think I can sell it to a postcard printer?
Day 2 we left (I know what you’re thinking…how the heck could you leave a place like that?? but we had to do something else we’d get bored) early after breakfast to catch the lagoon tour which included a sharks and sting ray feeding as well as a picnic bbq on a motu.
Our view at breakfast. How could you ever beat that??
Rob’s wild hair during the lagoon tour ride.
View of the Hilton. It is on one of the nicest spots in Moorea.
If you’re interested in what our resort looks like from the water lookin in, check out this video.
Yes, those are sharks! No, I did not steal this photo off the Internet.
Lots of people for the sharks and sting rays to feed on.
Can you spot Rob and how close he is to the sting ray?
Rob in the water with the sting rays.
Save me! The sting ray is on my chest!
So glad there are all those people between me and about 10 sharks. Eeeks!
Video of the shark feeding. Crazy how close they are huh?
Check out the lovebirds behind us. Get a room!
I modeled for Rob since he always does for me.
Click on this image to view the panoramic shot Rob took.
Rob can survive on a deserted island by living off of coconuts now. Check out that action shot of him cracking open the coconut with just a stick.
Rob with his proud coconut.
How gorgeous is this?!?
Day 3 we decided to do an ATV tour of the island. Each ATV is a 2-seater so one can drive while the other enjoys the view and snaps photos.
Click on the image below to view the almost full 360 panoramic shot I took.
I never knew pineapples grew out of a bush! These little guys are so cute!
Pot belly pigs are even CUTER!
The view after a long ride up the mountain.
rob with the rainbow
What did we do after riding? Drink, of course! Bringing our own bottle was a genius idea! Saved us tons of money.
Day 4 we woke up early for mass at 8am. We rented a scooter for the day and took ourselves to church and then on a self guided tour around the island.
Church sign that indicated the only mass time all week.
I love how we were able to stage this. Tripods are the best but are such a drag to lug around. We couldn’t have taken so many photos of ourselves without it though.
This is Moorea’s public beach. Why don’t we have public beaches like this in Cali?
If this were a public beach in Cali I’d go at least once a week.
Me in paradise. Can I be here everyday? Please?
Jumping for joy.
After scooting around town we sunbathed for a bit.
Newlywed indeed I am. How long am I allowed to sport this before putting it away for good?
Then got ready for dinner.
Shot this at dinner. Without a macro lens.
Day 5 is our last day in Moorea. Realizing that we didn’t shoot around our resort enough we woke up bright and early to shoot at sunrise and also to maximize our last hours at the resort.
Back at home I’m never up early enough to catch the sunrise. I now believe sunrise is the best hour to shoot–even better than sunset. The colors are so soft and delicate. You just can’t capture that at any other time of the day.
The bungalows on the hillside is from the Legends Resort. It may not have direct ocean access but can you imagine the incredible view?
Our unit for the last 4 days. We miss it so much!
The lighting on our deck is amazing!
My breakfast before shooting some more.
Swim up bar
What an awesome pool, huh?!?
Need a tattoo done? There’s a place on the resort.
Thanks, Helen & Cat, for the bikini!
Rob and Mimi sunbathe.
Mimi gets in some Internet time shopping for more make-up.
Rob looking pretty chummy about heading to Bora Bora.
Sunset as we land in Bora Bora.
The next post on Bora Bora shouldn’t be as long but the photos will look even more awesome than what you’ve seen of Moorea.
Filed under Blog | Comments (4)honeymoon resort 1: tahiti
Rob and I flew out of LAX for a direct 8 hour flight to Tahiti. Our highlight (more like my highlight) of the evening was spotting Salma Hayek with her husband and daughter, Valentina, at the Tahiti airport. They were walked straight thru customs and I ended up recognizing Valentina before I realized it was Salma under that hat! My dslr was on my hip but I was not quick enough to turn it on to snap away. They were whisked away pretty quickly.
Since we’d be arriving in the evening our first night would be at the Intercontinental Resort on the main island before hopping over to the island of Moorea the next morning. In the short time we spent there all that we had time for was breakfast and a quick photo opt around the beautiful resort.
Rob with our boarding passes at LAX. I’m still not used to that ring on his finger. Makes me happy seeing it.
Me with Mimi in tow.
Air Tahiti Nui
Our standard hotel room (that’s how it was categorized).
mimi right in between us.
My sunnyside up eggs look delish!
photo op time! isn’t the lagoon beautiful?! fish were just feet away from us.
the view out into the pacific ocean
i did not want to get up off this hammock. i coulda stayed there for hours doing absolutely nothing!
spot the tripod, bag, and sandals!
rob lookin’ very resorty
the view of our resort from up top
we board this tiny plane to moorea which is literally a 10 min plane ride.
good-bye tahiti!
hello moorea!
A short 30 sec clip of our plane ride to Moorea.
I realize this is a very short post but it acts as a teaser to the next 2 blog posts which will be quite extensive. We will be breaking it down by resort/island and the photos only get more and more amazing. You guys are gonna ooogle your eyes out!!
Filed under Blog | Comment (0)on honeymoon
Silly me forgot to bring my transfer cord so I am unable to post photos from my (pro) 5D camera. You’ll have to live with these sneak peek pix from Rob’s camera phone until I can get home this weekend to share more from our amazing honeymoon in paradise. So far weather has been more than awesome. Only downside is the high price tag on everything. Shall share more later. Aurevoir!!
Rob’s view while suntanning outside our beach bungalow in Moorea.
Me on our beach bungalow deck suntanning. In case you can’t tell…the back of my bikini bottom encrusted in crystals says “newlywed”. A gift from my new sis-in-law, Mary.
Now we are off to Bora Bora! Can’t wait to be in the paradise of all paradises!
Filed under Blog | Comment (1)our honeymoon
We booked our honeymoon! With Anne’s diligent help we were able to make this an unforgettable trip. From August 4th – 13th we’ll be spending our time relaxing in Tahiti on the islands of Bora Bora and Moorea.
Our first stop is the Intercontinental Resort & Spa Moorea. For 4 nights we’ll be in a bungalow beach room with access to the beach right outside our terrace. Breakfast included on all 4 mornings and a black pearl pendant is gifted to us.
Our second stop is the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa. The first night will be in an overwater bungalow and the last 2 nights we have our own beach suite. Breakfast included on all 3 mornings. The best part of the beach suite is our own private outdoor garden-enclosed jacuzzi!! On top of that, located on the other end of our suite is direct access to the sandy beach. And since we’re on our honeymoon there will be complimentary champagne and a gift of a single loose black pearl. I’ll prob have it mounted into a ring or a necklace to commemorate our time spent there.
Check out the floor plans.
Can’t wait!! Can you feel my excitement?!? Now it’s time to plan our activities. Woohoo!!!
Thanks soo much for your help, Anne!!
Oh…our alternative was a 12-day Princess Mediterranean Cruise from Rome to Venice. We’ll save Europe for another time when we can explore it on land vs from port to port.
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