At a lecture on board, you learn that Raiatea was the cultural, religious, royal and political heart of Polynesia. And according to legend, it was the birthplace of the gods. It is also where the great voyages to Hawaii and New Zealand were launched. And where entire clans, complete with dogs, plants, trees and livestock, sailed off to find new homes on distant shores. To experience the beauty of the islands chosen by the gods, your ship navigates along the shore of Raiatea's sister island of Tahaa and anchors in the sheltered waters between Tahaa and Raiatea, with magnificent views of both islands. Board an outrigger canoe (it's the same design Polynesians have used for centuries) for a lovely, languid ride around Raiatea's fjord-like Faaroa Bay and discover why the island was a favorite of Captain Cook - he anchored here three times and was entranced by its mysterious jungle-clad shores. Walking through an immense pre-European marae (a Polynesian temple constructed of tiers of round stones), you thing of Oro, the fierce god of war and fertility, who dwelled in the crater of Raiatea's extinct volcano. A startling contrast to the gentle faces you see today.
In the Polynesian language, Motu Mahana means islands of the sunrise, and we suspect that you might well agree that the sun never rose or set on a more inviting scene. On one side rise the dramatic mountains of the island of Tahaa, while on the other, the peak of Bora Bora peeks through its top hat of clouds on the distant horizon. On shore, intensely colored sprays of magenta bougainvilla spill over trees and pathways, while exotic tropical hibiscus open their wide-eyed pink and scarlet faces to the sun - a new blossom for each sunrise. As guests arrive, our pareu-clad Gauguines softly sing the beguiling welcoming songs of the islands and under the shade of pandanus-thatched huts, an al fresco feast awaits heightened appetites. While kayakers and snorkelers explore a quiet lagoon fringed by green-topped coconut palms, sunbathers snooze contentedly on the beach. Like some rare tropical wading bird, a waiter in bathing trunks and tropical shirt emerges from the water, offering beachgoers cooling libations from a portable floating bar. And although you might feel just a twinge of guilt about having all this to yourself, it's quite satisfying to realize that because Motu Mahana is reserved only for guests of the Paul Gauguin, you'll never have to share this private idyll with mere mortals.
Michener was not far off the mark. As the Paul Gauguin approaches Te Ava Nui Pass, the only entrance to Bora Bora's spectacular lagoon, you sense that you are entering a charmed realm. An outrigger canoe, paddled by a Polynesian boy, glides by, heading toward the village of Vaitape. A pod of playful dolphins escorts the ship into the harbor, where the huge chisel-like bulk of Mount Otemanu looms in the background. Later, on a safari into the lush plantations and forests of the interior, you discover that no one has ever been able to climb to the top of Otemanu. Amid twining vines and hanging orchid stems, your expert guide shows you ancient archaeological sites containing the remnants of a marae ahu carved with petroglyphs of sacred turtles. And newer remnants of another culture - gigantic cannons manned by American servicemen during World War II. They look like felled trees moldering in the woods. Then, for a new perspective of Bora Bora, join us at our private beach reserved exclusively for Paul Gauguin guests. Now descend with your fisheye lens to the bluest of lagoons, where swimmers and snorkelers are greeted by hundreds of neon-bright fish, and a school of docile black-tipped sharks can actually be touched and fed by hand. Michener did not exaggerate - this is an enchanted island!
Moorea's jagged peaks, cloaked by lush green and encircled by blue, are everyone's dream of Polynesia. Joseph Banks, Captain Cook's chief botanist, was the first European visitor to Moorea, but certainly not the last. Herman Melville based his novel "Omoo" on his sojourn on Moorea in 1842. Cook himself admired the island's extravagantly luxuriant scenery, matched by the natural beauty of its women. Moorea is unique among the Society Islands in having magnificent expanses of both white and black beaches. High in Moorea's interior mountains, see where Polynesian royalty practiced their archery. On a hilltop lookout between shark-tooth Mount Rotui and towering Mount Tohivea, there is a view once reserved for the gods. On one side lies exquisite Cook's Bay. Down the other side is a verdant valley and equally entrancing Opunohu Bay. Their waiting arms reach up to embrace you. But both are so appealing, you can't decide which direction to go!
It is not surprising that Tahiti, the largest of the Society Islands, attracted the attention of Gauguin. Explorers, scientists and other luminaries took the arduous journey to heed its call. But today's travelers don't need to spend months at sea to arrive in Papeete, French Polynesia's laissez-faire capital. One of the first things you'll notice are the brightly painted jitney buses called 'Le Truck' which careen all over town. Another is Marche Papeete, overflowing with fresh fruits and flowers. And lastly the people, who display an open warmth that is unfeigned and purely natural. An exploration from Papeete to the interior reveals a land of unbounded natural beauty where Mother Nature is an irresistibly alluring siren. Crowned by the two highest peaks in Polynesia, robed in luxuriant flora and skirted by black velvet sands and pink coral reefs, Tahiti needs no enhancements to be called the Queen of the Pacific. On a spectacular drive into the mountains, bamboo and fern forests give way to tumbling waterfalls watched over by the stone-faced tiki gods. A lake, the only one in French Polynesia, cloaks its depths in ancient myths, and hidden pools invite you to dive into a dream. At the Gauguin Museum, located next to Tahiti's splendid botanic gardens, you learn something of the life and legend of Paul Gauguin. And you discover how his artistic spirit found new nourishment in a new life. Just as your spirit will find renewal in the dramatic beauty and smiling faces of Tahiti.
This unusual accessibility is coupled with a desire to preserve and protect this pristine environment, and to respect the wishes of the Polynesian peoples, together with an awareness of the fragility of the unique flora and fauna of the islands, both underwater and above.
Many of the pelagic or deep-sea fish of French Polynesia originated in the so-called 'cradle of Indo-Pacific marine life' an area between Indonesia, the Philippines and New Guinea. They include large predators such as tuna, swordfish, sharks, dolphin and mahi-mahi. In the lagoons, giant manta rays, barracuda, smaller sharks, jacks, Napolean fish and others range about in search of prey. Colorful parrotfish nibble on coral, while angelfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, trumpetfish, grouper, moray eels, octopus, lobster, crabs, giant clams and other lagoon dwellers hover and hide in the reef habitat.
The reefs of French Polynesia are justly famous for world-class diving. Magnificent sites abound. And there are equally spectacular sites for both novices and experts. To take advantage of these opportunities, the Paul Gauguin offers outstanding optional dive programs at every level, from basic snorkeling to night diving. We are the only luxury cruise in French Polynesia to offer certification on board for novice divers as well as classes in advanced diving techniques, supervised by our own staff of PADI dive masters. For the convenience of guests, all necessary equipment, including tanks, BCs, regulators and other dive and snorkeling gear is available on board. Additionally, the ship has its own air compressor so tanks can be refilled onboard.
M/S Paul Gauguin
About the Ship | The Staterooms | Destinations & Calendar | Special Offers
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M/S Paul Gauguin
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