Just Back From…French Polynesia

By Betsy Goldberg
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Virtuoso

The vivid aqua waters. The air scented with the distinctive perfume of the tiare flower.  The abundant tropical fruit – both on farms and on menus. And the gorgeous pearls for sale – not just the famed black but also ones tinged with blue, green and pink.

I recently had the great fortune to spend 10 days in French Polynesia, marveling at its postcard-perfect vistas firsthand and literally plunging into a variety of water activities. Diving the waters off Moorea brought me face to face with aquatic life from sea cucumbers to reef sharks. As I boated to the dive site, I spied a group of dolphins swimming and jumping just yards away. The first whale of the season had been spotted the day before, but was apparently in hiding the day of my dive.

I became the aquatic life during a jet-ski tour, falling off the craft three times and apparently setting a new tour record. It’s trickier than it looks. My time in the water did enable me to swim with some rays and observe more sharks at close range, lured by the bait the tour leader released into the ocean.

For visitors wanting to stick closer to shore for water fun, the Moorea Pearl offers several appealing options. The 95-room resort feels intimate yet spacious. I relaxed beside the largest pool on Moorea, a gorgeous infinity pool that seems to stretch into the ocean beyond. I also borrowed snorkel gear and took a leisurely swim around the coral reef surrounding the resort’s overwater bungalows. The Moorea Pearl also has kayaks on hand and will arrange any kind of island explorations guests desire.

I tore myself away from the water for an afternoon to see the sights of Moorea. The Opunohu Agricultural College grows everything from tropical flowers to avocados to grapefruit.  Nearby are the stone ruins of ancient Polynesia temples called marae. At Jus de Fruits de Moorea, I tasted their juice and liquor offerings, made from local ingredients such as pineapple, vanilla and coconut.

Back at the Moorea Pearl, I indulged in a sensory experience at the hotel’s Manea Spa. The visit began with a soak in the large glass-tiled hot tub, set in a secluded outdoor courtyard.  After refreshing myself with chilled ginger tea, I proceeded to the multi-jet rain shower before a heavenly massage with monoi oil, an ancient Polynesian blend of coconut oil and tiare scent. It was a relaxing farewell to French Polynesia and its natural wonders.

The Moorea Pearl is a Virtuoso preferred resort. To find out more about Virtuoso, click here.