Spain - Harvey World Travel

a calm contrast to the booming surf
break along the encircling reef. Huge
gliding stingrays surround the boat
even before the boat anchors and
our Tahitian guide jumps into the water
carrying their petit déjeuner (breakfast)
of squid and fish. The darting reef
sharks keep a wider berth.
“They love the taste of people,” the
boat’s captain quips with a wry smile.
The almost-tame rays slither up the
guide’s side, gently snuffling for
their petite morsels. The rest of the
boatload gingerly follows him into
the water and he weaves the rays
between them. Apprehension is soon
all but lost as the swimmers first touch
the silky-smooth creatures and then
offer them titbits of seafood. The sharks
stay further at bay.
“Please don’t touch the sharks,”
our guide cautions. “They’re not
quite as friendly!”
The local wildlife’s appetite
appeased, we anchor off a small
motu (islet) to satisfy our own hunger.
Especially delicious is the local dish
of poisson cru (raw, marinated fish).
There’s cubed marlin tossed with lime
juice and coconut milk and mixed
with onion, cucumber, tomato, chilli
and seasoned with salt. There’s also
barbecued marlin and chicken, rice
salad and fresh sweet pineapple
washed down with the local Hinano
beer to round off our feast.
Back at the dock, it’s time to bid
Moorea a reluctant farewell, and the
next morning it’s also au revoir to Tahiti.
Next time, our stay will be longer as a
couple of more days in the sun would
have been perfect. A bientôt! – See
you soon.
Family haven at Manava Suite Resort Tahiti
The Manava Suite Resort Tahiti, located at Punaauia, a short
ten-minute drive from Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport, is a familyfriendly
resort nestled on the edge of a lagoon with panoramic
views of Tahiti’s closest neighbouring island of Moorea.
Offering a welcoming and contemporary Tahitian ambience
in a lush, tropical landscape setting, the four-star resort has a
selection of 121 luxury rooms and suites, including spacious onebedroom
Lagoon View and Garden Suites and Studio Suites with
kitchenettes, as well as multi-bedroom duplex apartments. The
spacious balconies of the Lagoon View Suites frame a sweeping
view of the resort’s pool and the lagoon, with Moorea beyond. It’s
a perfect spot for relaxation.
Each guest room at the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti has been
designed by Tahitian architect/designer Bruno Hervochon to
reflect authentic Polynesian décor, and is fitted to the very highest
standard.
Sip a cocktail at the Taapuna Pool Bar and watch the sun slip
below the horizon before sampling a fusion of Polynesian and
international cuisine at Vaitohi Restaurant, which also serves
breakfast. Children eat free with dining adults. The trendy
Punavai Lounge Bar serves a selection of tapas-style,
Polynesian-inspired bites.
For those heading out to the islands, Manava Suite Resorts
has sister properties on the islands of Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora
and Tikehau.
Tracey was hosted by Air Tahiti Nui, Tahiti Tourisme, Manava Suite
Resort Tahiti and Marama Tours, a family-owned and-operated,
full-service service, travel and transport company.
Air Tahiti Nui, the international airline of Tahiti, flies from Auckland
to Tahiti four times a week, with a convenient choice of morning or
afternoon departure times. Services on Thursdays and Sundays are
operated by Air Tahiti Nui’s Airbus A340 aircraft; Air New Zealand
codeshare services on Mondays and Fridays are by Boeing 767.
From Papeete, Air Tahiti Nui offers daily connecting services to and
from Los Angeles.
Papeete to Auckland services depart on Wednesdays, Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays.