Tahiti
How would you feel if your job called you at 4:20am to advise that you were flying out at noon the same day, on a trip to Tahiti? Would the below images invade your mind? Let’s say you would have to pack in a hurry and take a flight across the country to position for working an eight and a half hour flight to Tahiti. Let’s say that, like me, you are stopped in the jet way, while connecting flights, by the Drug Enforcement Administration, because your flight ticket to LA was bought last minute and one way. The questions being asked by the agent you find to border funny with ridiculous and he goes through your bags right there, in front of everyone boarding the plane. Would you be upset? Knowing that you are on the way to Tahiti and you will have 26 hours in one of the most beautiful and expensive corners of this world? Paid trip, hotel and breakfast! Well… I have to admit… tired and anxious to find space for my bag in the overhead bin (so I do not have to check in my uniform and manual) the approach at the boarding door was not my favorite. Yet, a day and a half later, after serving, chit-chatting and laughing with the cruise-line passengers we transported there, we got to unload our luggage in to one of the most luxurious, and therefore expensive, resorts in Papeete, Tahiti. The “glamour and pains” of a life as a Flight Attendant paid off this time. The Intercontinental Tahiti Resort in Papeete is one place I would not feel like spoiling myself in, if it were not for my job paying for it. In French Polynesia, lands of lush vegetation set in shades of topaz and turquoise surrounding waters, snorkeling and scuba diving are as divine as the colors of the corals and fish, a surreal apparition through the sun light reflected in the water. All of it enchants your vision while the sound of the waves and fish chewing on corals and plants delights and surprises your hearing. The Tahiti Resort expands on 32 acres of land by the lagoon, surrounded by green plants and colorful flowers. The infinity pools, spas, restaurants, bars, tiki bars and hammocks hanging around the resort are especially designed to enchant your senses, pamper you and help your wallet lose weight. Oh … I feel so spoiled! A bungalow over the water would have been magic but how could I be so picky!? Was I born in a castle? The room I was given has a patio facing the lagoon. I walked straight from it, barefooted, through the rest of the resort. I did this again at sunrise, even though the sun rises on the other side of the island. A wonderful view through my patio doors, great wooden floor in the room and marble counter top in the bathroom, these rooms will set you back about $250 per night, in a regular night. The bungalow would just about double the speed of your slimming wallet. The breakfast buffet, an ample choice of fresh-juicy fruits and fresh juice, scrambled eggs, dairies, breads, pastries, cereals, etc. is “only” about $37. One of my colleagues would have said: “Do not worry girl, they will not make money out of me”. Sorry to report that I could not eat enough to make them lose money on me. Cry, girl, cry! The explorer in me woke up at 5am for a sunrise that came to be on the other side of the island and about 45 minutes later. No complaints. It colored in picturesque clouds that reflected in our infinity pool for a super picture. The same explorer could not pass on the opportunity to take the public bus to town. Ticket was 200 (about US$2.50) one way and there was not a lot to see. It is not just the resort that is expensive, but most everything here. Time and money permitting, a trip to the mountains in the background of town, and the waterfalls from the magazine pictures would have been great. Yet, all in all, my 26 hours here were well spent walking barefoot around the resort, enjoying the pools, taking lots of pictures, going downtown, and having a great breakfast. Not enough sleep, but knowing that we are taking a commercial flight back I figured that I can sleep in the plane. Note: Beware of Tahiti Nui Airline. They kept the plane’s cabin so cold that I had three blankets on me. At least they can provide that.