Asia : Star Flyer: Tahiti and French Polynesia

A gentle breeze fragrant with the scents of exotic flowers awakens you

Elixir of Eden

They say it’s the most alluring destination on Earth; where romance was born, beauty amazes the senses and adventure beckons on every horizon. Tahiti and French Polynesia, the legendary siren of the South Pacific, now the new home of Star Flyer - and the consummate tall-ship sailing experience. What a happy combination! Sailing has a very long tradition in French Polynesia, beginning with the original Polynesians, who navigated as far as New Zealand and Hawaii, perhaps even to South America, in quest of new lands to colonize. Then there were the explorers, Bougainville, Wallis, Cook, and writers and artists like Melville, Maugham, Michener and of course, Paul Gauguin, whose colour-saturated canvasses became the icon of the Polynesian myth.In keeping with this revered sailing heritage, Star Flyer will make its home year round in French Polynesia, voyaging to the legendary Society Islands and the remote Tuamotus. Star Flyer offers intensely rewarding personal explorations of islands bearing magical names like Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine and Rangiroa. Even more noteworthy, as she glides through these pristine archipelagos of unsurpassing loveliness, she will leave no sign of her passaging.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Papeete, Tahiti

Depart the UK for your flight to Tahiti, this will incorporate an overnight stay in Papeete at a supplement

Day 2 - Papeete, Tahiti

Enjoy a relaxing day before embarking on the ship for an evening departure. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 - At Sea

At Sea Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Fakarava, Tuamotus

More than 250km from bustling Papeete, and contrasting markedly with the Society Islands’ volcanic peaks, the far-flung Tuamotus are low-lying coral atolls scattered in palm-topped circlets on a languid sea, seldom visited by tourists and cruise ships. Lucky for you! For this is a naturalist’s nirvana and diver’s delight. On Fakarava Lagoon, the Garuae Pass’ 150 foot visibility offers in-your-face encounters with enormous schools of dolphins, rays, sharks and rainbows of reef fish. An old Catholic mission, dating from the 1850’s, watches over Fakarava’s 250 inhabitants, who support themselves mainly by pearl farming. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5 to 6 - Tiputa / Rangiroa, Tuamotus

The village of Tiputa has the charming ambience of a faded French colonial town that remembers grander times. Perhaps that’s because the main attractions are not on shore but in the water. Rangiroa, the world’s second largest lagoon, is a centre of Polynesian pearl culture, where the frilly-shelled pinctada margaritifera oyster produces lustrous black pearls of eye-popping size. At a local pearl farm, see how oysters suspended in the lagoon are implanted with tiny “seeds,” later harvested as the legendary South Sea pearls. A drift dive or snorkelling in cave-lined Tiputa Pass is an effortless passage through pelagic paradise! Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - At Sea

At Sea Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Bora Bora, Society Islands

Even if you’ve never been there, most people recognize the chiseled peak of Mt. Otemanu on Bora Bora. This is where James Michener was stationed as a young naval officer, which later inspired him to write Tales of the South Pacific. You can find remains of rusting WWII gun batteries hidden in the jungle-choked hillsides. Then quench your thirst at a bar called Bloody Mary’s. In pre-European times, Bora Bora was the launching place for fierce war parties to other islands. Today the peaceful lagoon is a favourite snorkelling place where you can hand feed harmless black-tipped reef sharks Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Bora Bora / Tahaa Society Islands

Just a kiss away from Raiatea is the island of Tahaa. Site of vanilla plantations, pearl farms and not much else, it’s a delightfully quiet reminder of the old island ways.From the invitingly named little fishing village of Patio, take a boat out to a local pearl farm to see how pearl oysters are cultivated or savour an afternoon of basking in the shade of a palm tree on one of the tiny motus that dot the lagoon. The sunset view of Bora Bora in the distance will keep your camera very busy. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Raiatea / Huahine, Society Islands

When you venture up the jungle-clad shores of Raiatea’s Faaroa River you could well believe you’d been transported to pre- European times. A hike up Mt. Temehani might lead you to the sacred Tiare Apetahi flower, found only on Raiatea, while a walk through the sacred Marae Taputapuatea takes you to the place where the ancient Polynesians set out to explore the vast reaches of the Pacific, ranging from New Zealand to Hawaii and Easter Island. Raiatea is also birthplace of the legendary god, Hiro, father of the Polynesians. The hibiscus tree, or purau, is the wood used since time immemorial for outriggers of Polynesian proas. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - Huahine, Society Island

A laid back haven for surfers, ex-pats and others who prefer the road less travelled, Huahine offers an authentic example of what the islands used to be. Tahitian, rather than French, is the lingua franca and the island’s numerous archaeological digs offer a fascinating window into the past. In sacred maraes reminiscent of Stonehenge, giant stones looking like gravestones remind you that human sacrifices were part of the Polynesian religious rituals. Near the settlement of Faie, ogle six-foot blue-eyed eels undulating in the water. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - Moorea / Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands

Beloved by yachtsmen, Moorea’s heart-stopping beauty is a vision of paradise that takes your breath away. This was the real-life site of Michener’s longed for “special island,” Bali Hai. Star Flyer anchors in both Cook’s Bay and Opunahu Bay, so you’ll have two opportunities to savour every glorious view of this spectacular island. Take a 4X4 ride to the old Kellum Stop Estate and the top of Belvedere, where your Polynesian guide picks fresh fruit from a tree to refresh your palate as you drink in the stunning panorama Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 - Papeete, Tahiti

After breakfast, depart ship for your return home Meals included: Breakfast

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Prices

Star Flyer : Tahiti and French Polynesia - Prices From:
Dates	Prices from
	Adult
16/11/2008	£2,376
15/02/2009	£2,631
12/04/2009	£2,631
31/05/2009	£2,631
12/07/2009	£2,631
23/08/2009	£2,631
04/10/2009	£2,631
15/11/2009	£2,496
03/01/2010	£2,631
21/02/2010	£2,631
11/04/2010	£2,631
Notes
Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing.
Price based on category 3 Cabin, upgrades available on request
Third person sharing rates available on request
Transfer rates available on request
Supplements
08/06/2008 - 15/02/2009: Port charges: £195
08/06/2008 - 15/02/2009: Approx flight price: £1,207
15/02/2009 - 11/04/2010: Approx flight prices: £1,207
15/02/2009 - 11/04/2010: Port charges: £200

Prices for single travellers:

Star Flyer : Tahiti and French Polynesia - Prices From:
Dates	Prices from
	Adult
16/11/2008	£3,563
15/02/2009	£3,946
12/04/2009	£3,946
31/05/2009	£3,946
12/07/2009	£3,946
23/08/2009	£3,946
04/10/2009	£3,946
15/11/2009	£3,743
03/01/2010	£3,946
21/02/2010	£3,946
11/04/2010	£3,946
Notes
Prices are per person.
Price based on category 3 Cabin, upgrades available on request
Guaranteed single rates available on request
Transfer rates available on request
Supplements
08/06/2008 - 15/02/2009: Port charges: £195
08/06/2008 - 15/02/2009: Approx flight price: £1,207
15/02/2009 - 11/04/2010: Approx flight prices: £1,207
15/02/2009 - 11/04/2010: Port charges: £200

What's Included?

• Watersports

  All passengers have access to a watersports programme which includes: snorkelling, scuba diving, Sunfish sailing, water-skiing and windsurfing. Please note: all watersports are complimentary except for scuba diving. A certification card is required for scuba diving. A medical consent form is required for passengers wishing to become PADI Resort Certified during the cruise. Introductory Scuba Diving Courses are also available

• Meals are scheduled as follows:

  6.30 to 10.30am Continental style breakfast, coffee, tea, pastries and juices in the Piano Bar.

  8.00 to 10.00am Breakfast buffet in the dining room.

  12.00 to 2.00pm Lunch buffet on board.

  5.00 to 6.00pm Hors d’oeuvres available in the Tropical Bar or Piano Bar

  7.30 to 10.00pm Dinner ‘à la carte’ in the Dining Room.

  11.30 to 12.30pm Midnight snack.

  Sometimes a deck lunch or beach barbecue will also be organised

What's NOT Included?

• International flights, but these can be arranged for you
• Gratuities

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The Captain reserves the right to alter the itinerary in order to suit wind and weather conditions.

 DOCUMENTARY AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS . A full valid passport is required for all holidays, valid for at least 6 months after the date of return to the UK. The passenger is responsible for ensuring compliance with all necessary visa and other documentary requirements for the entire holiday, and shall have received all medical inoculations necessary

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