Back from Tahiti Tiare Agent Conference in French Polynesia!

I recently returned from the 2009 Tahiti Tiare Agent Conference, presented by Tahiti Tourisme North America for travel agents and tour operators who specialize in travel to the islands of French Polynesia. What a fantastic experience--I feel very lucky to have been able to go on such an amazing business trip! While I would have loved to have been able to spend a longer period of time on each island, I do feel like I really got to experience a lot of what each destination had to offer, even in just a couple of days. And there's always next year...

Back to French Polynesia!

I'm leaving today for a conference in FP for Tahiti Tiare agents (the official French Polynesia specialist program for travel agents), and can't wait! This will be my third visit to the Tahitian islands, and I would say the third time's a charm. However, that would indicate that the first 2 times (my honeymoon and 2nd anniversary trip) were not, when nothing could be further from the truth! Each trip brings amazing new experiences and sights, and I look forward to visiting French Polynesia many more times in the future.

This time, I'll be staying on 4 islands over the course of a week--Tahiti, Raiatea, Huahine, and Tahaa. A whirlwind trip, but well worth it! Of those 4 islands, I've only stayed on Tahiti previously (my earlier trips have also included stays on Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tikehau), so I'm very much looking forward to experiencing 3 new islands and a new resort on Tahiti!

I'll be taking about a million pictures and definitely writing a lengthy review of the trip when I return, and will post all of that here in the next couple of weeks!

Gorgeous new overwater bungalow find

Well, new to me at least (it appears to have been in business since at least 2005)! I stumbled across Sipadan-Kapalai Island Resort in Malaysia rather randomly during a Flickr search, and fell in love. It appears that getting there would be an adventure unto itself, and the bungalows are not super-luxe. However, the area is stunning, the snorkeling and diving look unbelievable, and the OWBs are lovely, spacious, and look out over insanely clear water. I especially adore the way they've put a giant window right next to the bathtub, so you can gaze out over the sea while you bathe. While it's not incredibly cheap for Southeast Asia, the resort is an absolute steal compared to what you'd pay for an OWB in French Polynesia or the Maldives! For about $1000US (non-divers) or $1250US (divers), you can have a 3 night stay for 2 people, including accommodation, meals, some drinks, transfers, and tons of dives (the last only if you get the dive package, of course).

The hotel's website is not particularly user-friendly or informative, but here is the tripadvisor link, which has tons of great pictures and information: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g303996-d454985-Reviews-Sipadan_Kapalai_Island_Resort-Pulau_Sipadan_Sabah.html

Also check out S-KIR's sister resort, Lankayan Island Dive Resort. No OWBs, but simply stunning location, with spacious bungalows right on the beach!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g303997-d637481-Reviews-Lankayan_Island_Dive_Resort-Sandakan_Sabah.html


Looks like Malaysia just moved even higher on my "must-visit SOON" list!

Panama reviews and photos

Bob and I always take a trip over Labor Day week, to take advantage of the "free" day off (anything to use less vacation time!) This year, Panama was the chosen destination for two reasons. First, we (Bob especially) had been talking about going there for awhile. We're big fans of Central America, but had already been to Belize and Costa Rica, and wanted something a bit "beachier" than Guatemala or El Salvador. Honduras and Nicaragua were the other options we considered for this trip, but the fact that we were able to get business class seats with Skymiles to Panama sealed the deal!

Itinerary:
1 night Panama City at the Albrook Inn(our flight landed at 9PM and our flight to the San Blas left the next morning at 6AM, so this was a very short stay) http://albrookinn.com/index.php/en/

3 nights San Blas Islands (aka Comarca Kuna Yala)at Yandup http://www.yandupisland.com/yeng/plans.htm

1 night Panama City at the Veneto
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PTYWV/main.wnt

4 nights Bocas Del Toro at Popa Paradise
http://www.popaparadisebeachresort.com/

Photos: http://tinyurl.com/ag99ez

Greece photos and reviews!

In late August-early September 2007, we headed to Greece for an 8-night adventure! Our itinerary was as follows:

Athens: 1 night, Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel
Naxos : 4 nights, Muses Suites
Santorini: 3 nights Astra Apartments

Click "read more" for reviews and photos!