PF 2023 (1/10) – A French Polynesian Spring Break

For spring break this year, we upped the game a little… by going to Tahiti and Bora Bora.

Staying in an over-water bungalow had been on our bucket list for some time. Hong made a map of all such resorts in the world, though most of the options were never serious contenders next to the Maldives and Bora Bora. Both are what I’d consider S-tier global vacation destinations – generally reserved for the helplessly romantic honeymooners, wealthy retirees, and hardcore points enthusiasts who can afford to take time off whenever unicorn redemption opportunities appear on the calendar. Because we are none of the above, this bucket list item remained in the “maybe someday” category.

How we actually pulled the trigger for 2023 was a blur, though we’ve been far more willing to prioritize what we “can” over “should” do since the traumatic pandemic lock down. We booked 4 nights in Bora Bora, the relatively closer of the two paradises. Because an overnight layover in Tahiti was necessary, we also made a two-night stop out of it.

I had been really self-conscious when telling people about our spring break plans, because of what an extraordinary splurge it was. Reactions tend to be either cluelessness (where is that?) or jealous amazement. So I tried to say Tahiti or French Polynesia instead of Bora Bora, though that didn’t seem to result in a more modest perception. I also cringed wondering how our kids talked about it at school – one of their friends was reportedly to spend her spring break at “the most expensive hotel in Las Vegas”. I didn’t want to brag or be seen as someone who did, but it was hard not to when mentioning this particular destination.

Perhaps, though, people were only reacting to how exotic and remote the destination sounded, not dissimilar to when we went to China or Europe or Southeast Asia. I might have overestimated the average person’s awareness of price tags, and my shyness to mention Bora Bora was merely a projection of how special it was in my own head.

Nevertheless, Bora Bora indeed held a special place in my head. I never cared much for tropical beach islands including Hawaii and the Caribbean, but was super excited about Bora Bora. What’s the difference? I may have some ideas, but couldn’t be sure without ever having been there. With expectations set very high, I started wondering just before departure if we’d get disappointed. Fortunately, the trip proved us right… and then some.

Note: Tahiti and Bora Bora are in French Polynesia. Like Guam, it’s a Pacific colony that both is and isn’t part of the colonizing country. “PF” is the abbreviation for Polynésie Française, which is how the French Polynesians spell French Polynesia.

PF 2023

1. A French Polynesian Spring Break
2. Tahiti: Papeete and Faa’a
3. Tahiti: Hilton Tahiti Resort
4. Bora Bora: Expenses
5. Bora Bora: Conrad Bora Bora Nui
6. Bora Bora: The Bungalow
7. Bora Bora: Food at the Resort
8. Bora Bora: Vaitape
9. Bora Bora: Bora Bora Water World
10. Bora Bora: the Ocean