Spend 30 seconds with Chris Prelog, the gregarious president of Windstar Cruises, and also you’ll really feel his enthusiasm about French Polynesia. It’s, he tells me with unabashed frankness, his favourite a part of the world.
Positive, the area’s completely astonishing bodily magnificence qualifies it as a favourite vacation spot for a lot of vacationers. For Prelog, although, it goes past that.
“The primary time you come for the sweetness, the second time for the folks,” he says. “From that first go to you begin discovering you’re concerned in, not simply tradition but additionally their lives. That’s a pure transition in Tahiti. … What struck me early in my profession was how simple and unpretentious it’s, and the way a lot folks love you. It planted a root in me there.”
It was a root that caught. In our Attending to Know You profile on Chris, he remembers his first cruise contract, how tough it was for him, and the way it was a name at Bora Bora that gave him the power to maintain going.
As Windstar continues to increase its footprint in French Polynesia, with Star Breeze crusing year-round and itineraries that embody the Society Islands of Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahiti, together with itineraries that incorporate the Cook dinner Islands, the Tuamotos, Tonga and the Marquesas, and Wind Star becoming a member of it there in 2027, we thought Chris can be the proper individual to provide us recommendation on his favourite haunts.
“Everybody likes Bora Bora, which is the princess of French Polynesia. And but I’m all the time searching for the underdog. I like Huahine as a result of it affords forests, seashores, tradition, the folks, there’s a whole lot of specialness, which is partly because of its being slightly bit extra off the radar which makes it extra tranquil and peaceable. It’s a hidden secret in that there’s all the time the likelihood for discovery, from jet-skiing to a mountainous ATV (all-terrain car), there’s extra to it than a beachy island.
Listed here are Chris’ favourite experiences in French Polynesia. And for those who’re already a fan of Tahiti and French Polynesia, please share your ideas and discoveries in our feedback, beneath.
Arriving in French Polynesia
After an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco, my spouse, Silke, and I like to plan for a pre- (and sometimes post-) cruise keep at Tahiti’s Intercontinental. As a cruise govt whose profession is all about hospitality, I really like the best way they greet all of their visitors (with a tremendous pineapple drink) and the best way that the foyer opens up over the resort and an impressive view of craggy Moorea throughout the ocean. It units a tone for the journey.
Greater than pearls in Taha’a
Taha’a to me is all the time a particular place. I really feel closest to paradise there as a result of it’s simply image good. I like to go to the alternative a part of the little motu and benefit from the views in full peace (and in addition to snap some unimaginable footage with a palm tree framing the Star Legend).
What to eat within the islands
My favourite dish in Tahiti is Poisson Cru, which is offered in nearly each restaurant, and I’ll eat it most likely 3 times a day as a result of I actually just like the composition of it, the freshness, coconut and vanilla with it. Even after I arrive, often drained and jet-lagged on my first day, I’ll order it from room service
Onboard Star Breeze, an absolute spotlight is the sail away ritual
I all the time go as much as Deck 8 as a result of you may have the largest, actually 360-degree view. I like to expertise it with our visitors. I’m actually involved in listening to about their impressions from totally different voices and views. I’m by no means hiding throughout sail away!
On Huahine, the alternative of a seashore day
On Huahine Iti, I really like the ATV tour as a result of it takes you thru the agricultural space of this most inexperienced of islands. You expertise its tradition as you experience via villages with the wind in your hair (and probably the most lovely and aromatic scents). And you may have some seashore time — there’s a swim cease the place you can too simply stroll alongside the white sand.
I believed I knew rather a lot about French Polynesia — after which I found the Marquesas!
On a current voyage on Star Breeze, we traveled to the Marquesas Islands, among the many most unique locations in what already is an extremely distant a part of the world. The locals have been so welcoming, the vistas — of so many craggy peaks and forests — and particularly its cultural celebrations, together with tribal dances. And don’t miss the silky black sands of the seashore that’s a part of the city of Atuona, on Hika Ova.
Do you may have favourite locations in French Polynesia? Have you ever returned many times? Inform us extra about your experiences within the feedback beneath.