PREAMBLE
In this article, we describe our visit to French Polynesia in November 2014. The intent of the article is to pass on to you the richness of this travel destination; one of the most enjoyable, relaxing and spellbinding vacations we have experienced. Some of you may prefer to explore what Paul Gauguin Cruises has to offer - all of its itineraries, its schedule of notable guests and on board lecturers. You can review this information directly on Paul Gauguin Cruises' website by clicking HERE.WHAT VISITORS TO FRENCH POLYNESIA NEED TO KNOW
POPULATION
French Polynesia has a population of approximately 275,000. The capital city is Papeete on the island of Tahiti. Tahiti has an estimated 184,000.CURRENCY
The islands will accept US dollars and Euros. The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (CFP) which is pegged to the Euro. During our stay, one CAD had a value of approximately 75 CFP. Major credit cards are generally accepted, with MasterCard and Visa favoured.CLIMATE
French Polynesia is a year-round tropical destination. The average annual air temperature is 26 degrees Celsius. During our stay in mid-November, we experienced temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees. Water temperature in the ocean us also 26 degrees on average.VISAS
Canadian and US citizens do not require visas to visit French Polynesia.
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AHHH! PARADISE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC...
It was sunny and warm. It was early Sunday November 16. We could see the steep mountains of Huahine Nui, French Polynesia from the window of our balcony stateroom. We were on board the luxurious m/s Paul Gauguin on a 7-day cruise of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. We had embarked the Gauguin the day before.French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands and atolls scattered over 3.9 million square kilometres. By comparison, Continental Europe is just over 2.5 times larger at 10.2. Its islands are divided into five groups or archipelagos – the Marquesas Islands (North-East), the Tuamotu Islands (East), the Society Islands (West), the Austral Islands (South-West) and the Gambier Islands (South-East).
We watched BBC News on TV while we waited for our breakfast waiter. The TV images showed Buffalo NY buried under a seven-foot snowfall. What a contrast! On this, our third day in Paradise, Huahine beckoned outside. We had already become immersed in the natural beauty that surrounded us and in the cheery hospitality of this charming people. Winter seemed distant indeed; more like figments of our imagination. We were on a different planet, where the water and air temperatures had the same averages -- 26 degrees Celsius.
The Gauguin had dropped anchor in water that is said to have visibility up to 45 metres deep. The turquoise ring of colour surrounding the islands defines the lagoon; and the colour of the lagoon contrasted with the blue of deeper water where we were anchored. The island itself seemed powerful with its ridged cliffs towering above the water. The surf was at a considerable distance out to sea at the coral reef. We were in another world!
Our minds drifted to the other Paradise, Hawaii. We realized French Polynesia’s lagoons were formed over a considerable period of time; at least a million years we are told. We concluded that Hawaii, by comparison, is at a relatively early stage of formation. Hawaii’s lagoons are yet to be formed; craters are not yet submerged. The existence of lagoons extends real estate; hotels build romantic and exotic thatch-roofed bungalows over water. In Bora Bora, our guide pointed out Jack Nicholson’s and Marlon Brando’s bungalows nestled alongside each other. Add welcoming people and islands with buildings not higher than a palm tree! French Polynesia enchants you!
Talented native French Polynesians co-mingle and entertain guests on board the ship, and at BBQ lunch at a motu next to the island of Taha’a. These are the Gauguines and Gauguins, true magnets for guests. In La Palette Lounge on deck 8, enjoy the company of fellow guests as you listen to their folkloric singing to guitar and mandolin accompaniment; join them in sing-alongs. And on stage at the Grand Salon on deck 5, join others as they perform the dances of the Polynesians – an enticing almost provocative style by the Gauguines and warrior-like performances by the Gauguins. CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR BBQ MOTU VISIT OFF TAHA'A.
Paul Gauguin Cruises does not disappoint the curious- minded; there are lecturers on each
Having finished breakfast, we prepared to join others on our first shore excursion. We set out with Paul, an anthropologist and tour guide, on a visit to the sacred sites of Huahine Nui and a small vanilla plantation. Paul gave us insights into Polynesian migration and history, the relatively good standard of lifestyle French Polynesians enjoy today, and information on the governing arrangement within this French Protectorate.
GETTING TO PAPEETE, TAHITI
The overnight flight on Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles to Papeete is eight hours long - similar in length to flights to Honolulu or Frankfurt from Toronto. The time difference is also similar; French Polynesia and Hawaii are both five hours behind Toronto; Frankfurt is six hours ahead.
A POPULAR STOPPING OFF POINT FOR NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA TRAVELERS
The InterContinental Papeete provides a dinner and dance show each Friday. We watched a performance that depicted Paul Gauguin's life and passing in French Polynesia. An impressionist painter, Paul Gauguin is buried on the island of Hiva Ora, in the Marqueses.
The two short video clips following are of a Friday night performance at the InterContinental Papete depicting Paul Gauguin's life and death in French Polynesia. Watch video 1 HERE. Watch video 2 HERE.
After our two-night stay at the InterContinental Papeete, we had become proficient in the use of the words “la orana” (hello) and “maruru” (thank you). We were ready for our 7-day cruise.
THE GAUGUIN
All three of its restaurants -- L'Etoile, the main dining room on deck 5, Le Grill on deck 8 next to the
pool, and La Veranda on deck 6 presented excellent gourmet meals; it was commonplace for us guests to include “what did you have for dinner?” in our conversations. And “did you have the moon fish?” This fish meal was presented once and talked about for days. (We missed the chef’s demonstration attended by several where he showed how to carve the moon fish named for its circular shape and measuring 5.5 foot long (or was it 5.5 feet wide?)). Guests must make reservations for dinner at La Veranda or Le Grill. Both are transformed to an upscale experience for dinner, and … there is no charge for upscale dining!The Gauguin’s selection of wines and other spirits were excellent -- sommeliers were well schooled and pay close attention to individual preferences. Many guests chose the Gauguin to celebrate special occasions. Honeymooners received special attention, as did wedding and birthday celebrants. This is a wonderful destination to celebrate such special events.
On our cruise, roughly half the guests were from the US. 44 from France, 31 from Australia and New Zealand, 24 from Canada followed by a mix from Tahiti (a honeymoon couple with entourage) Europe, Central and South America, Asia (China, Thailand) and Haiti.
ABOUT US
Zaneta and Joe Rochemont are owners of Cruise Holidays of Clarkson and Clarkson Tours, with offices in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Within the Cruise Holidays network, they achieved President Circle status in the shortest time of any store and have retained that status every year since 2009. Zaneta is the President and COO of Cruise Holidays of Clarkson. She entered the travel business after a successful career in teaching. Joe retains the position of Director of the Company and supports its operations through oversight and general operational support. Joe is a past executive of a major Canadian Bank and continues to own and operate a management consulting firm specialized in information technology management and advice. The staff at Cruise Holidays of Clarkson including Zaneta and Joe have each accompanied groups on travel and custom tours to virtually all parts of the world. They can be reached by telephone at 1 866 919 2111 or by email at info@clarksontravel.ca to inquire into individual, group or family travel, or to plan your special event. See our website at clarksontravel.pgcruises.com .
On arrival in Ljubljana April
1st our guide Maja and our driver Elvir
greeted us at the airport and transferred us to our
5-star hotel – Hotel Lev (the Lion). In no time, Maja
had us all charmed with her enthusiasm, her personality,
knowledge and excellent communication skills. 
indeed scenic. We drove by skiers,
through exceedingly long tunnels, the infamous “Eagles
Nest” – Hitler’s hideout and stopped for a break at one
of the most scenic road stops I have ever seen. The
Amadeus Royal lay in wait for us at Passau; we boarded,
freshened up, relaxed, and gathered for the Captain’s
welcome cocktail and for the first of many briefings
from Gabriel our cruise Director.
and dedication that sets them
apart. Lueftner’s shore excursions were insightful and
provided me with information I had missed on previous
visits to the same locations.
In Bratislava, the capital of
Slovakia, George our guide towered over us all at 6ft
8ins. He took us up to the highest point in Bratislava,
overlooking the castle and where 6,800 soldiers are
buried. The castle had been destroyed several times and
is still being restored – one of many testimonies to the
pride of history we humans share. Our evening concert
performed at Clarisse Church (great acoustics!) capped
the day. 
the ruins of an enormous Slavic
castle high above the point where the Danube makes an
180 degree turn towards Budapest, and Esztergom, the
birthplace of the first Hungarian King, St. Stephen, the
location of his coronation January 1st, 1000,
and the start of the Hungarian State. 
virtually empty streets, visited
Schoenbrunn Palace, and attended a rousing performance
at the Kursalon – where the waltz master Strauss used to
play. We sailed from Venice just before midnight for
Weisenkirchen, a hillside town with terraced vineyards.
There, at the early hour of 10:00 AM we were treated to
some excellent whites. We then drove to Durnstein, known
for its Gothic blue-spired church and as the place where
Richard the Lion Heart had been jailed. Melk Abbey was
next; best described as the Monks’ creation of heaven on
earth. Our ship had sailed to Melk and we boarded her
bound for Passau, where Pavel, our guide and Peter, our
driver waited to transport us to 
Prague where we would spend three
nights. 
We explored Prague on our final
day, and we were blessed once more with perfect weather.
At the Farewell Dinner at the President Hotel, Bill
Anderson reviewed the tour, led singing to lyrics he had
written; something that Bill has done in the past. Keith
Nicholas did a Belafonte rendition.