How do you formulate phrases ample sufficient to explain essentially the most lovely place you’ve ever seen?

It’s a problem not distinctive to me, and is one which frequent vacationers know nicely. It is a feeling I haven’t had for the previous few years, after spending numerous hours caught at dwelling. Nevertheless, I used to be not too long ago invited to examine in to the beautiful Sofitel Kia Ora resort in Mo’orea, Tahiti, and it fairly actually took my breath away.

The island of Mo’orea is located within the Society Islands of French Polynesia, only a 40-minute ferry trip from the principle island of Tahiti and its capital metropolis Pape’ete. Right here, the streets are lined with velocity restrict indicators studying “60 km/hour,” equaling roughly 37 miles per hour. I inquired about this to our native ATV tour information whereas driving round one of the scenic stretches via Opunohu Bay, asking if this was the restrict across the whole island, to which he replied, “In fact. Why would you need to go any sooner? You’d miss these lovely views.” I smiled and nodded, realizing his response summed up my emotions and feelings so adequately – emotions I used to be struggling to place into phrases myself. Whether or not at Sofitel Kia Ora on Mo’orea, or exploring the island, it felt like a spot to decelerate and soak all of it in so that you don’t miss a single minute of the pure magnificence round you. 

After I hopped aboard my Air Tahiti Nui direct flight from LAX to PPT, I had assumptions about what this vacation spot could be like, having by no means been to French Polynesia earlier than. The brightly coloured seatbacks on the airplane evoked the fictional island of “Te Fiti,” the Pixar model of French Polynesia that I’ve seen in numerous rewatches of Moana (I admit I had the soundtrack caught in my head throughout my whole journey). And the standard Polynesian music that started enjoying as quickly because the airplane touched down in Pape’ete signaled a straightforward, breezy island getaway to flee your worries and fears, throw on a flower lei, stick a hibiscus flower in your hair and overlook life’s worries.

The seashores are absurd in Mo’orea and the scuba diving is actually unmatched. The mountains, wanting like one thing straight out of Jurassic Park, made me query why I’d ever need to return to my tiny shoebox house in New York Metropolis. However I feel the factor that stood out to me essentially the most about my time on this little island is that this: whereas it is a traveler’s paradise, it is also dwelling to actual folks and a wealthy cultural historical past I by no means beforehand knew. 

A date with the ocean in Mo’orea, French Polynesia

Every day at Sofitel Kia Ora introduced new alternatives to study from and interact with the individuals who name this island dwelling; those who’ve carried on the native traditions and tradition for generations, who’ve preserved this lovely land so folks like me can expertise its magnificence. These folks and their overwhelmingly beneficiant hospitality are what really made this getaway so unforgettable. And after 2 years of lockdown with none journey, the connections with these persons are what I had longed for many. 

Yvette Leon, the endlessly enthusiastic and passionate proprietor of Mo’orea VIP Tours, appears to carry the island’s whole historical past inside her mind. Leon, a former restaurant proprietor and the unofficial “hype lady” of Mo’orea (my phrases, not hers), confirmed us the true Tahitian option to make marinated fish, a dish so savory and recent that I mainly ate it at each meal. (The secret is a lot of lime and coconut milk!) As we wandered the island collectively, she recognized each sort of flower, coconut and tree and had private tales and anecdotes to share alongside the best way. She was additionally form sufficient to show us the right way to make a standard Tahitian flower crown on our remaining evening and defined the “language of the flower” that’s important to embracing the tradition of Tahiti.

From the standard tales about Mo’orea’s most vital mountain peaks, to the historical past of Tahitian cash, Yvette supplied a wealth of data on all the sweetness, tradition and historical past Mo’orea has to supply. “When you put on a flower in your proper ear,” Yvette defined, “which means you’re single. And when you put your flower on the left ear, the facet of your coronary heart, which means you’re married. And when you see someone with two flowers, a flower on all sides, which means married and nonetheless wanting… for hassle.”

“Everyone belongs to the island” – exploring Nuku Hiva, the ‘Land of Men’

Johanna Berard, founding father of Te Moana Tours, took us on a ship tour from the resort, venturing outdoors the reef and giving us time to swim with sharks and sting rays whereas educating us the right way to work together with them responsibly. She then hosted us on her personal motu, a small personal island of reef, the place she and her husband host music festivals all year long. She shared tales with us about rising up in Tahiti and elevating her youngsters there, whereas her husband cooked us a beach-side lunch and her canine entertained us. The hospitality on the resort and off the property felt simply as inviting as these crystal-clear blue waters. 

The right way to get to Tahiti

I arrived in Tahiti through a direct, 8-hour flight from LAX on Air Tahiti Nui to Pape’ete. From there, the simplest and most handy option to get to Mo’orea is by ferry, a scenic journey that takes about 45 minutes. Two ferry corporations function every day schedules, leaving from the port in Pape’ete and arriving in Moorea’s Vaiare marina. Costs begin at 1500XPF ($15 US) per particular person, every means.

When you’re craving a sun-and-sand getaway on a distant island of rolling inexperienced mountains, Mo’orea generally is a good various to Hawaii, particularly when you’re up for a global getaway. With some sensible planning, it can be rather more accessible and inexpensive than the Maldives. Though I solely had time to see the island of Mo’orea on my journey, guests are inspired to take a look at a couple of totally different locations inside the Society Islands and do a little bit of island-hopping. You’ll discover that Mo’orea is the lushest amongst them and is way greater than the others, fascinating vacationers (and locals alike) with its panoramic views. Be sure you try Magic Mountain, which was one other expertise throughout my journey that took my breath away – partly due to the gorgeous views, and partly due to the steep climb and excessive altitudes. 

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I might have been completely content material to lie on the seaside or lounge on the deck of my bungalow – and noticed many guests who did simply that – however Mo’orea provides so many alternatives for journey and exploration as nicely, each on the Sofitel and out of doors its partitions. ATV excursions permit vacationers to rumble via the island’s lush wilderness and thru fields of recent pineapples. Boat excursions go away every day from Sofitel Kia Ora and supply a novel perspective of the complete perimeter of Mo’orea from these clear blue waters outdoors the reef. The property additionally provides different aquatic actions friends can expertise throughout their keep like scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling and extra. 

I discover myself wanting again on my footage and movies from the Sofitel Kia Ora typically, every time I must distract myself from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan or desire a reminder of simply how lovely that little piece of paradise is. Between the unrivaled hospitality, essentially the most attractive waters I’ve ever seen and the fantastic thing about a land that may solely be seen to be believed, I can’t quickly overlook my time in Mo’orea.

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The rooms

Two phrases: overwater bungalow. This was my first time experiencing an overwater bungalow, and I have to say, with the ability to plop my ft within the water every morning whereas having fun with my recent Tahitian pineapple juice and occasional was a recreation changer. With spacious loos, coffeemakers and a free minibar refilled every day, the lodging have been proper on par with the remainder of the property. I particularly loved the glass panel within the ground to view the lagoon beneath. Word that one of many overwater bungalows on the property is wheelchair accessible.

Professional tip: BYO pool float to lounge within the lagoon and admire the unimaginable sea life. I noticed a couple of friends collaborating on this all through my keep and it appeared like such a sensible hack. 

There are additionally beachfront villas and bungalows situated all through the property, offering a extra budget-friendly possibility for friends not desirous to splurge on the overwater retreats. 

@lonelyplanet Wait til you see how Polynesian ladies use this lovely (and purposeful) flower! If solely TikTok had smellevision. #tahiti #moorea #ylangylang #flower ♬ original sound – gonzalo

The meals

I already talked about my rapid and overwhelming obsession with the marinated fish on property. I resisted the urge to order it at each meal (although I nonetheless had it at the least as soon as a day) and was capable of strive numerous totally different dishes, each within the every day American-style, Tahitian-influenced breakfast buffet, in addition to the lunch and dinner choices on the two eating places on property. 

Pure is the principle restaurant on the property, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. It provides just a little little bit of all the pieces – from burgers and sandwiches to the freshest seafood and veggie choices. 

When eating at Pure, the standard Tahitian dance present, carried out twice weekly, is to not be missed. The dancers start the present by explaining a bit concerning the historical past of Polynesian dance and the three principal varieties, and the way tales are handed on from era to era. The hour-long present had at least 10 costume adjustments and offered a fascinating take a look at Tahiti’s tradition and historical past. 

Seashore Bar is located proper on the personal seaside and serves up drinks like piña coladas, margaritas and recent coconuts when it’s time to rehydrate. Vue Bar, situated proper subsequent to Pure, with extra unimaginable views of that signature crystal clear water, is the proper spot to seize a nightcap earlier than heading again to your bungalow for the night. 

Island hopping in French Polynesia

The world

Mo’orea is ready aside from all the opposite islands of French Polynesia due to its distinctive mountain vary. The barrier reef surrounding the island units the scene for one of the distinctive pure wonders I’ve ever seen. The reef has 11 “gates” all through that permit for boats to move via, and the waves off the reef supply a few of the finest browsing round. 

Learning to surf in the Land of Giants

The facilities

Le Jardin Spa and Beauty, the indoor/outside spa on property provides a menu of stress-free and rejuvenating remedies, a lot of which embody pure components discovered proper on the property just like the tiare (a kind of gardenia), vanilla and aloe vera vegetation. When you overlook to reapply the SPF and get a gnarly sunburn on day one like yours really, head on right down to the spa and the group will handle you.

The Sofitel Kia Ora is the one property with its personal personal seaside on the island, and the on-property aquatic middle is the place friends can borrow snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards and extra. Head there to speak to their guides and select the actions which can be finest for you. If the seaside isn’t your factor, the infinity pool provides a welcoming and stress-free escape. 

Sofitel additionally provides an inventory of different curated experiences, like a private dock-side canoe breakfast, romantic dinner for 2 on the deck, a personal dinner within the sand and extra. The group is devoted to making sure your time on the resort is unforgettable and so they’re very happy to tug out all of the stops to take action. 

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The value

The posh overwater bungalows begin round $800 USD/evening, and the garden-view villas and bungalows begin round $500 USD/evening. These are positively among the many extra inexpensive methods to remain on this spendy vacation spot.