Canadian World Traveller Spring 2024 Issue

to 36 guests. Indeed, the ship is one big
happy family, and the crew's passion and
energy are infectious.
The voyage begins at 3 p.m. when passengers
board the Panorama II and are given a
flower lei and a tropical cocktail. After a welcome
dinner of shredded veal shank with a
mustard sauce of grilled salmon, we sail one
hour from Tahiti, known as the "big sister
island," to Moorea, the legendary Bali Hai
island of James Michener's "South Pacific."
Islands Visited
Moorea
Most expedition cruises operate with a set
plan. Following breakfast, there is a morning
expedition, lunch aboard the ship, and an
afternoon tour option. But an essential aspect
of expedition cruising is to arrive with an open
mind or at least a willingness to "be flexible."
Due to weather conditions or wildlife sightings,
the ship can easily change course. Each
voyage is unique.
Moorea is the most inspiring backdrop in
French Polynesia for many locals and visitors.
The island is known for its turquoise lagoons,
white sand beaches, and eight colossal
jagged peaks.
The program for Moorea begins at 8:15 when
tenders travel to shore for the dolphin excursion.
We're joined by American marine biologist
Dr. Michael Poole, who has lived in
Moorea conducting research projects since
1987. Poole lends his expertise to explaining
the geology of French Polynesia and the
habits of whales and dolphins. The highlight
occurs when pods of acrobatic spinner dolphins
are displayed, twirling mid-air as if
launched from cannons from the sea, spinning
vertically and horizontally like ballerinas.
An afternoon drive around the island in a 4x4
open-air safari vehicle was followed after
dark by a 12-hour overnight trip to the island
of Huahine.
Huahine
The Garden Island of Huahine is a tropical
paradise island often overlooked on islandhopping
trips. We arrive on a Sunday when--
Sephora informs us--most shops will close at
noon. We spend the morning on a guided
4x4 tour of ancient sacred sites. It is a cultural
immersion in Polynesian geology, botany,
anthropology, archaeology, sociology, economy,
history, and traditions. An afternoon boat
trip to a motu (islet) for a traditional cooking
class is followed by a snorkeling trip. In the
evening, local musicians boarded the ship
and performed Tahitian songs.
Bora Bora
Like Santorini in Greece, Bora Bora is French
Polynesia's most visited island. The volcanic
island is set in a radiant lagoon. Delve deeper
into the seductive Shangri-la, and you'll find a
robust marine life teeming with tropical fish.
Variety guests spend the morning visiting four
different snorkeling spots, petting stingrays,
and watching eels slither by. The ship docks in
the main town of Viatape, where shops, bars,
and cafes are just steps away. Later, in the
evening, the Variety hospitality team slices up
a massive tuna for a sashimi appetizer.
Taha'a
One of Tahiti's best-kept secrets, the tranquil
island of Taha'a produces 80 percent of the
aromatic vanilla in French Polynesia. It is also
acclaimed for its exquisite pearl production.
We spend the morning at the Motu Pearl
Farm, where experts from the family-run business
explain the cultivation of Tahitian pearls,
followed by a trip to the Ferme Bio Organic
Vanilla Farm. Later in the day, we snorkel, letting
the current guide us as we drift past colorful
coral and schools of brightly-hued fish at
the island's renowned coral garden.
Raiatea
Variety anchors at our fifth Society Island, historic
Raiatea on a partially rainy day. Known
as the "Sacred Island" and the second largest
of the Society group, Raiatea was the second
capital of French Polynesia and the home of
Sephora, our passionate cruise director. She
reminds us that Raiatea's Taputapuatea
marae is the holiest place of worship for all
Polynesians.
The day's activities include a trip down the
Faaroa River, the only navigable stream in
French Polynesia, on a motorized outrigger
canoe, followed by a guided tour of the openair
Taputapuatea shrine—the only UNESCO
World Heritage Site in French Polynesia. The
motor yacht remains docked for the day at the
island capital of Uturoa, where my wife shops
for jewelry and I buy a few Polynesian shirts.
On Board
Each suite is designed with two single beds or
one double. I found rooms easily manageable,
but some guests found cabins and bathrooms
restrictive. Three excellent meals are
served daily in the upper-deck restaurant. A
daily happy hour is held in the cozy communal
entertainment living room from 5 to 7
p.m., followed by dinner. Snorkel gear is lent
to passengers.
I ask Sephora about working with Variety and
her passion for her homeland.
"Travelling with Variety on small ships allows
me to establish a genuine connection with the
visitors, sharing the authentic Polynesian
experience with them," she says. "The world
offers so many breathtaking landscapes, but
something remains unique to this country: the
generosity and the warm and welcoming
smile of our people. Their joyfulness is like no
other; their natural talent for music, dancing,
and arts; their knowledge of the sea and environment—and
finally, their ability to appreciate
the smallest things in life."
"I think I would call myself an experience
director more than a cruise director. We are
selling more than just a floating hotel with
entertainment. It is a whole life experience if
you are ready to open your heart to this."
Long, pebbly white-sand beaches, flanked by
crystal-clear waters with schools of multi-colored
fish, are the norm on this traversing of a
few of Tahiti's favorite islands. As irresistibly
and equally attuned to close encounters with
cultures, people, and marine animals, Variety
Cruises' immersive sailing of Tahiti is an unrivaled
experience.
www.varietycruises.com
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Photo: Variety Cruises
World Traveler Spring 2024