Join Joan Ocean and Lisa Denning (photographer) with the southern pods of Humpback Whales. Humpback Whales of the South Pacific
Tahiti, French Polynesia. September 13 -19 and 20 to 26thRurutu Island, South of Tahiti
Join Joan Ocean and Lisa Denning (photographer) with the southern pods of Humpback Whales. Humpback Whales of the South Pacific
Tahiti, French Polynesia. September 13 -19 and 20 to 26thRurutu Island, South of Tahiti
In September, we will travel to the French Polynesian Island of RURUTU for two weeks, 20 degrees south of the Equator.
To get there you fly to Tahiti and then a 1 hour flight south to this remote island where the Humpbacks spend their winters birthing and mating in the warm, crystal clear, tropical waters. We will join them as they dance and dream and sing, sharing their profound wisdom with us.
Cost: US $2995 per week.
What's Included and Not Included
" US $2995.00 per person for 6 nights/ 7 days - Double Occupancy
INCLUDED:
" One night at Sofitel Resort in Papeete, Tahiti on Saturday, September 13, 2008 (week one) or September 20 (week two)
" 5 nights at Rurutu Lodge on Rurutu Island
" 4 boat trips to be with the Humpback Whales
" Daily Breakfasts and Dinners at Rurutu Lodge
" Transportation from Sofitel Resort to the Airport (Sept 14)
" Transportation to the Rurutu Lodge and around the island of Rurutu
" Classes, Meditations, and discussions with Joan Ocean MSc.
" Island tour of the Coral Caves, Taro fields and remote beaches.NOT INCLUDED:
" Airfare to and from Tahiti
" Transportation upon arrival in Tahiti. Taxis are available.
" Inter-Island Airfare to and from Rurutu Island (Approximately US$530. Please see travel info for important dates, travel times, and flight numbers for this once a week flight.) Make your reservation early.
" Lunches and/or any other snacks and alcoholic beverages at Rurutu Lodge
" Hotel accommodations reserved before and after our Seminar.
" Any extra boat trips or activities on Rurutu.PAYMENT SCHEDULE"
A $500 deposit is required to reserve your space.
This deposit is non-refundable and can be paid with a Visa, MasterCard or a US check.
" The Second payment of $1495.00 is due on May 1st, 2008
" The Third and final payment of $1000.00 is due on July 10th, 2008
There are many Humpbacks here as well as other whales. We will be living in a land based Resort while visiting the whales each day by boat. Here are some pictures of the Whales. As you can see, they are a little different than the northern Atlantic/Caribbean Humpacks. These Southern whales do not have white coloring on the top side of their pectoral fins, only on their underside. When they roll over and exhibit playful behaviors, we can see their white tummies shining in the clear blue water, their pec fins like wings, waving and welcoming us.
Joan Ocean Program
Swim with the Humpback Whales of Rurutu Island
Detailed Travel Information
Important things to do immediately:
1.Check that you have the correct Travel Documents (Valid Passport)2.Arrange for Cancellation/Travel Insurance (optional)
3. Book your flights
4. Reserve your space -- only 5 spots left !!!
WEEK ONE: Saturday September 13 - Arrival into Papeete, Tahiti
WEEK TWO: Saturday September 20 - Arrival into Papeete, Tahiti
- Make your flight arrangements to arrive in Papeete Airport, Tahiti on Saturday, September 13 ( or 20th ). Flights are limited so please reserve your seat as soon as possible.
- Saturday night the group will stay together at Sofitel Tahiti Resort
BP 60008 Tahiti 98702 Faa'a, French Polynesia (+689)866600 - (+689)438470. Email: H0547@accor.com. They do not have a shuttle. Taxis are the best transportation to our hotel and are available right outside the airport.
The Sofitel Hotel on Saturday night is included in your seminar fee (two in a room). Everyone attending is a person who loves and respects whales. If you prefer to arrive a day or two earlier, the extra days will be at your own expense. (We recommend it, if possible.) Contact the hotel in Tahiti directly, for extra nights before or after our seminar. To receive our group rate, contact Lisa Daviet lisa-ann.daviet@accor.com Phone 689-86-66-05 or Fax. 689-43-99-00
Please let her know you are with the Joan Ocean group.Sunday September 14th ( or September 21st ) Departure to Rurutu Island ***V e r y . . I m p o r t a n t*** - We will be flying on Sunday morning from Papeete to Rurutu Island on Air Tahiti as a group. (This flight cost is not included in the Seminar price)
- Please be sure to make your flight reservations on Flight #933,
Air Tahiti at 12:50 PM..... with arrival on Rurutu at 3:40 PM.
**** To assist you with this, we are working with Renee Mahler at Business and Leisure Holidays for these tickets. Please call her and let her know you are with the Joan Ocean group. She can reserve your ticket for this flight (as well as your return).
She can be contacted in Hawaii: 808-952-5824 or 808-949-8100 ext 225
Email: renee@bnlh.com or fax 808-941-5177.
Please Note - The flights listed here are the ONLY flights available to take for our group! So please make arrangements as soon as possible.
When we arrive on Rurutu Island we will be greeted by the Rurutu Lodge Staff. The open-air, panel vans (Le Truck) take us to our Bungalows.
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RETURN FLIGHT INFORMATION
Friday - September 19, 2008 ( or September 26th )
Please Reserve your return ticket for Flight #936 on Air Tahiti from Rurutu to Papeete. (Renee, our travel agent will assist you with this arrangement)
We will be leaving Rurutu at 5:35 PM and scheduled to return to the main island of Tahiti by 7:05 PM. Allow ample time in your flight arrangements for your connections to the mainland, etc. We recommend not to cut it too closely.
NOTE: Our Seminar ends on Friday. Please contact the Sofitel Tahiti Resort or a hotel of your choice for a reservation IN ADVANCE if you plan to stay overnight on Friday, after our Seminar, on the main Island of Tahiti. (not included in the seminar price.) Tahiti is a popular tourist destination and reservations are a must.
Summary of Important Travel Info
RURUTU FLIGHT DETAILS
WEEK ONE : The group will fly TOGETHER to Rurutu Island on Air Tahiti Flight # 933, Sept.14th and return together on Flight # 936, Sept. 19th.
WEEK TWO : The group will fly TOGETHER to Rurutu Island on Air Tahiti Flight # 933, Sept.21th and return together on Flight # 936, Sept. 26th.
" IF you work with Renee to arrange your flights please tell her that you are with the Joan Ocean group: Week September 13-19 or Week Sept. 20- 26
" We highly recommend that you work with Renee on your Flights to ensure that all reservations are correct.
" Please note that roundtrip airfare to Papeete, Tahiti and to Rurutu Island is NOT included in the seminar tuition and you will have to book these special island flights on your own, or preferably through a travel agent to insure the correct flights. The airfare for the interisland roundtrip flight between Papeete, Tahiti and Rurutu Island is approximately $530 roundtrip. Price is not guaranteed until booked.
Thank you. We look forward to meeting you in beautiful Tahiti.
Rurutu is a beautiful island, 18 miles in circumference; rising to a height of 1280ft the island drops dramatically into the sea on all sides and is peppered with caves that have been eroded by water over the millennia, creating wonderful formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
These caves are steeped in legends like those of Hina, an ogress, who lived in a cave near Mt Manureva and Moko, a giant lizard. The island's mild climate means that a huge range of fruits and vegetables grow; the coastal area offers rich soil and allows 2 crops of delicious potatoes a year, giant carrots, turnips and greens. Every garden is planted with papayas, limes, mangoes, grapefruit and the ubiquitous banana palm. Exotic flowers adorn the roadside. The mountainous interior even has alpine forest!
We look forward to swimming with you in the warm tropical waters of these South Pacific Islands. To save a space, please call us.
With love,
Joan & Lisa & Jean-Luc too ! -- He loves these French Islands.
Photos by Lisa Denning
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