We depart Sydney on Air Tahiti Nui at 07:25 for New Zealand arriving at 12:35. Here we catch another Air Tahiti Nui flight leaving at 15:00 on the same day. While it's a 4hr 45m flight we arrive in Tahiti on Wednesday 2nd November at 20:45. Bless the international time zone!

Arriving in Tahiti Wednesday night at 20:45, having left Australia early Thursday morning, it's time to adjust our watches and our minds! We will be transferred from the airport to the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort located on 32 acres of lush tropical garden and facing an idyllic lagoon. This well-known resort in Tahiti offers a host of activities including diving in the coral reefs, a lagoonarium, two gorgeous infinity pools, fine dining at two beautiful restaurants, relaxing at the Deep Nature Spa or attending world-class dinner shows. We have some time to our own to enjoy dinner at Le Lotus overwater gourmet restaurant or relax in the Lobby Bar or try a signature cocktail while enjoying some live music at the Tiki Bar. We stay overnight in preparation of our cruise tomorrow, which starts early evening. At cruise end we will have another 2 nights here to better enjoy the facilities.

Only an overnight stay in our hotel, but a chance to get out in Papeete for some sight-seeing, perhaps some shopping before boarding our yatch the 'Wind Spirit' for a 6pm departure.

We wake up in paradise or as it is officially called Moorea, where our stunning surroundings soak up superlatives and call for more. In our stay here we will have plenty of time to do it all. Our options are many, from honing our photography talents on an optional tour of the island in the company of a professional photographer, hike the majestic 'Three Coconut Trail', visit dolphins in their native habitat or spend our time swimming and kayaking from Wind Spirit's 'Watersports Platform' as we lay at anchor in these beautiful sapphire seas.

Arriving in Raiatea (“The Sacred Island”) at 8am located just across the lagoon from Tahaa and shares the same barrier reef. (Legend claims the two were a single island until a conger eel possessed by the spirit of a princess separated them.) It used to be the center of religion and culture in the Society Islands. Taputapuatea, on the southeast coast, was once the most important marae around, the place where kings from the neighboring islands would gather for important ceremonies. Uturoa, the main town, reminds some people of Papeete in its younger days with its quaint low-rise buildings. Raiatea is also home to the only navigable river in the islands, the Fa’aroa. We can explore Polynesian history or climb Mount Temehani in search of the rare tiare apetahi flower, which grows only here.

Arriving at 8am after a 2hr cruise from Raiatea, we will spend the day on a private island complete with swaying palm trees and white-sand beaches. Swim, snorkel and enjoy a variety of water sports in the crystal-clear waters. There will be a delicious barbecue lunch and tropical drinks waiting for us. We will have time to explore Tahaa with optional excursions to discover the vanilla plantations and sacred sites of the island.

We arrive in Bora Bora at 9am and our stay here allows plenty of time to capture the beauty in photographs. We expect these stunning waters will show a different kaleidoscope of blue in each frame. We should have lots of options for exploration, whether we prefer the access provided by a 4-by-4, or the thrill of riding in the open air. Optionally, stretch out on stunning white-sand beaches, dive and swim in brightly colored seas, or sail among the tiny islands and lagoons. We are told this is the stuff that dreams are made of!

We have another day in Bora Bora to enjoy, not departing until 9pm.

At around 7am we anchor in the place whose nickname is “Garden of Eden.” We have most of the day to explore the lush forests, the tropical landscapes, and the quaint villages and to discover one of Polynesia’s best kept secrets. Here, at a slower pace, we can get a glimpse of the authentic South Pacific island lifestyle. We stop by the Maeva archaeological site and wander around the 150-odd marae (temple sites) and 400-year-old stone fish traps that are still in use. And we will have your pick of the world’s best snorkeling once again.

We expect to arrive back in Papeete this morning at around 9am where will once again transfer to the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort. However, this time we will be in an 'Lagoon Overwater Bungalow' for two nights to allow us to experience more of Papeete and resort facilities.

Our last full day in Papeete and our hotel, so we will just have to make it a good one!

Oh no, back to the real world with an early departure at 07:45! Also via Auckland in NZ.

This time the timezone takes back that day we had gained at the start, so arriving on the 13th at 17:15.