They merely explain why our ESCAPESEEKER film team is eager to return to capture TAHITI and her islands in all their splendor…add to that, the unforgettable warmth and beauty of the Tahitian people. Well, simply stated, all of these combined explain why so many who set foot in French Polynesia choose never to leave! I’m not taking any chances: Each of our ESCAPESEEKER team members are being asked to sign a document before boarding our Air Tahiti Nui flight, promising to return to the U.S. after we’re done filming! 🙂
Approaching the island of Moorea at Sunset
The view from our ESCAPESEEKER still photographer’s luxurious over-the-water bungalow at the Intercontinental Thalasso-Spa, Bora Bora. What tough working conditions! Thank you Justin Grant for these beautiful reminders of how good life can truly be. The view from my bungalow was equally stunning. This is one retreat where there is no such thing as a “bad view”…unless of course you’re not crazy about the person with whom you’re sharing your gorgeous bungalow. UGH! What an awful thought. After all, everyone is beautiful when you’re in paradise!
Gives whole new meaning to the term “Nature Guide”
Justin captured this image of a Blue Dolphin riding the wake of this massive vessel as it entered this Rangiroa channel . We were in our diving raft just preparing to find out for ourselves why Rangiroa–particularly this very spot, is known around the world as THE DIVER’S MECCA!
Approximately an hour flight from Tahiti, Rangiroa is the largest atoll in the South Pacific. Its lagoon is gigantic (40 miles long and 20 miles wide, with a depth up to 150 feet), communicating with the pacific ocean by the Avatoru and Tiputa channels. Through these flows a phenomenal quantity of water from the ocean into the lagoon and vice versa. Following the tides are hordes of fish, jacks, tuna, barracuda, manta rays and eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, and everything it seems, that can swim! A short distance out, the reef drops to a depth of 1200 meters.
During six hours, the incoming current carries the clear water of the ocean into the lagoon. Ideal for a drift dive, one can see schools of sharks, squadrons of eagle rays, or maybe a great hammerhead cruising with the schools of fish.
Six hours later, the lagoon empties itself through the passes to the ocean. For better visibility, one may dive on the outside reef next to the pass. You will find small and big fauna: schools of jacks, barracudas, manta rays, as well as several species of sharks, and numerous pelagic fish.
A word of warning: Although Rangiroa always has divable sites in any weather, the average conditions are not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted. The ocean normally has a moderate swell near the passes with a 5 knot current entering in rhythm with the rise and fall of the tide.
It is easy to see why Rangiroa has become, without a doubt, one of the most sought after diver’s destinations in the world. My ESCAPESEEKER Director, Jason Wise, an avid scuba diver/underwater photographer, and turtle enthusiast, will now surely think that I’m his “Fairy Godmother!” 🙂
In need of the ultimate romantic retreat? How about a moon-lit night on the island of Raiatea, complete with champagne dining at water’s edge? If you don’t get an “I LOVE YOU” after this setting, it’s time to change the cast!
Stay tuned to ESCAPESEEKER in 2010…where we will be presenting an entire hour-long special on French Polynesia, entitled, “Oh Heaven’s Heaven.”
In the meantime, here’s to life’s ultimate Blissful Escapes…
Yours truly,
Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER
Where do I sign up for this diver's/lover's paradise? I thought the Great Barrier Reef was unbeatable, but after this description, I think I have to see this first hand.