Melissa

We were fortunate to have done a back-to-back on the PG. The first Sunday in Raiatea we did the Faaroa River and Island Exploration. It was very nice. The land part included the "Marae Taputapuatea, the sacred site from where the ancient Polynesians departed, to discover Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island - the other islands which now form the famous 'Polynesian Triangle'. " I thought this would be our only chance to see an ancient site on the trip, so that was the main reason we booked this excursion. As it turned out, we added some excursions the second week and saw more. But, this marae on Raiatea was very interesting. The canoe part of the trip was good, too. The second week, we went on a scuba dive in the afternoon and surfaced to a huge double rainbow! I heard there was some good snorkeling there, but don't have any specific info.

The snorkeling on the Bora Bora motu can be nice. There is a small coral formation near where the beacher lands (the ship tender that loads and unloads right on the beach). The current was a bit swift the second week but there really wasn't much of one at all the first week. So, it depends. And, does your cruise include Motu Mahana? Good snorkeling there.

We rented from Avis ($60 for 4 hours, standard transmission) on Moorea on Friday of the second week. (Made the reservation when there the first week.) You can either drive yourself up to Belvedere or go there on an excursion. The Trails of the Ancients Trek goes there. So, if you are doing that one day, I wouldn't bother renting a car the other day. If you do, however, you can ask for a box lunch to take from the ship.