Saturday/Sunday, March 11-12, 2017 – Journey to French Polynesia (YYJ-YVR-LAX-PPT)

The first time April went to French Polynesia she was 11 years old. April's family was supposed to spend three weeks doing a house exchange in Tahiti. Three weeks turned into five weeks and no one in April's family wanted to leave. They even looked at real estate in Tahiti.

When planning for our honeymoon in 2008, we debated a number of different places for our honeymoon. April told Bill again of one of her favourite vacations ever, which was the Tahiti trip. We finally decided to have our honeymoon in French Polynesia. We spent three glorious sun-filled weeks there in August of 2008. We visited the islands of Tahiti, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, and Maupiti. We have dreamed of returning to paradise ever since.

We wanted to take one last big trip before the arrival of our first child. Perhaps this is ambitious for a "babymoon," but we think it is the perfect sequel to our honeymoon.

***

We left Victoria (YYJ) at 11:30 AM on Air Canada…well, we should have. The plane was delayed until almost 12:30 PM. We had to clear security in Victoria, but since we were flying Air Canada though to LAX, we had to clear US customs in YVR. Bill’s passport wouldn’t scan, again, which is the same problem we had last year in Europe. He has a NEXUS card and was able to go through the NEXUS line, but because April doesn’t have one, she had to go through the regular line. It seemed a little odd since we were travelling as a family, but we did as the agents instructed us.

YYJ to YVR

Between the late arrival time and the delay in customs, we ended up with less time in YVR than we had expected. We quickly bolted our Burger King lunch before boarding our second flight.

The flight to LAX from YVR is about 2.5 hours. April found this uncomfortable, even more so being pregnant. However, Bill was able to get us seats in the emergency aisle that were right by a washroom, so we were as comfortable as we could be. Both of us watched the Harry Potter related movie Magical Beats and Where to Find Them, but were unable to finish the movie before the plane arrived.

YVR to LAX: Emergency Aisle

In LAX, we picked up our bags as we were not able to check them through all the way to Tahiti since we were changing airlines (Air Canada/Star Alliance to Air France/Skyteam). We weren’t able to check into our next flight for about four hours, so we were stuck with our two medium sized suitcases and our carry-on bags while we idled away the time.

We ate dinner at a cheesy Plant Hollywood location because everything else seemed even less appealing. While we waited for our chicken Caesar salads to arrive, we read the trivia facts about so-called celebrities.

Departures at Bradley International - LAX

Idling away the time...

After we checked in our bags with Air France, we had to go through CBT security. These agents were by far the worst. Even after April asked not to be scanned in the machine because she was pregnant, the agent refused to do a pat-down. However, as April was already walking through the machine another agent told Bill that she could request a pat down instead of going through the machine. Gee thanks for that useful information too late.

We sat around at the Air France gate for hours waiting to board our flight. We had a snack while we waited.

Waiting for people to let us onto the plane

Our flight from LAX to Tahiti (PPT) was at 11:30 PM. We boarded the flight and had seats at the very back, conveniently located near to the washroom. The plane was a Boeing 777 and we noticed that even when the seats in front of us were up, there was absolutely no leg room. This is in contrast to the Air Canada 777s that Bill has taken where the seat pitch and leg room was definitely more comfortable. It’s not often that we compliment Air Canada, but it scores better than Air France in this regard.

Finally boarded

The flight was about 8 hours and 40 minutes. We tried to sleep, but it was very uncomfortable. April felt sick to the stomach and kept on having to go to the bathroom, and Bill had a horrible cough from a cold that he was trying to get over. We felt like we were never going to make it to Tahiti, but of course we did…it just felt like the longest flight ever.

We landed at dawn at Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti. It was already extremely humid when we stepped off the plane (it’s technically their Autumn right now, which is known for higher temperatures and more humidity than when we visited last time). We had to go through customs and were not well instructed on how to fill out the immigration card. As French Polynesia is part of the EU, April didn’t need to fill out the immigration card as she holds a EU passport, whereas Bill who only holds a Canadian passport needed to fill one out. Due to this error we were delayed and were the last ones to get out of customs and retrieve our bags.

We were happy that our bags made it, but instantly frustrated when we had great difficulty getting any local money out of the one ATM at the Faa’a International Airport. We couldn’t obtain local currency ahead of time as it is not available where live (or many places, for that matter), and we needed cash to pay for the cab to the hotel. Eventually, we were able to obtain a small amount of cash and a taxi to take us to the hotel.

Finding Accommodations in French Polynesia

From our last French Polynesia trip, a view of Maupiti.

Taking a trip to a more far flung place like French Polynesia has its pluses (unique vacation, less tourists, more authentic local experience, immersion in a culture and language different than your own), but it also has its negatives (takes longer to get there, more expensive, more of a challenge with language, difficult to communicate with potential accommodations and transportation and to find them and book them). I just received my latest mobile bill and found that I had $58.50 in long distance charges between calling Air Tahiti to sort out the interisland flights on the Bora Bora-Tuamotu flight pass (see previous post) and trying to communicate with three of the pensions that I was trying to book in the Society Islands and the far flung Tuamotu archipelago. But oh well, it's mostly done now.

Four types of bananas grow in French Polynesia.

Our schedule for our French Polynesia vacation is currently as follows:

March 11-12, 2017: Flights from Victoria (YYJ) to Vancouver (YVR) to L.A. (LAX) on Air Canada then to Papeete, Tahiti (PPT) on Delta/ Air France, arriving March 12, 2017 at 5:50 AM.

Photos can't capture the myriad of gorgeous colours in French Polynesia.

March 12, 2017: one night in Tahiti at the Hotel Sarah Nui (booked through Expedia and chosen for its proximity to the harbour of Papeete where we can walk around in the downtown, visit the market, and go to the roulettes for dinner under the stars before we leave). We already spent several days in Tahiti on our last trip and my trip previous I spent five weeks there, so there's no need for us to spend a lot of time on this island.

March 13-20, 2017: fly to Huahine (HUH-also in the Society Islands, all interisland flights are through Air Tahiti) to stay for seven nights at the Pension Meherio (we stayed there on our last trip to French Polynesia and very much enjoyed it, so we didn't have to research Huahine, however, our email was not responded to, so we had to call to book a place there and they no longer have a credit card machine, so we'll have to pay by cash, fortunately the island of Huahine has an ATM, unlike some of the more remote islands that we're going to later).

March 20-22, 2017: fly to Bora Bora (BOB-also in the Society Islands) to stay for two nights at Le Meridien (we have never visited Bora Bora before and chose this hotel because it was the less expensive of the two Starwood Hotels on Bora Bora and we could pay for it using Starwood points that Bill has accumulated in his business travels). Bora Bora is apparently one of the most expensive if not the most expensive island in French Polynesia, so we are only staying a couple of nights to get a brief flavour for what everyone's been talking about. Is it really the nicest island or have we already found some other French Polynesian islands that are as nice or nicer? This was easy to book by calling the Platinum Member Concierge at Starwood Hotels (and no long distance charges).

March 22-25, 2017: fly to Fakarava (this requires two flights- BOB-RGT-FAV) in the Tuamotu archipelago to stay three nights at the Kori Kori Lodge (we have never been to any of the Tuamotu islands, but have long dreamed of going to these incredible atolls with their aqua lagoons, black pearl farms, and abundant fish and coral perfect for snorkelling.) We found this pension by researching on Trip Advisor and reading reviews. This is a newer pension but the owners have run a successful "snack" or food stand for years and the reviews for their pension were excellent. Plus, the biggest, most luxurious, most expensive, and most reviewed pension, the Haviki Pearl, was full for one of the three nights we needed and they have a minimum three night stay. The most vexing part of this pension was trying to pay the required deposit. I called to ask if they would accept a credit card (in French), but the owner wanted a wire transfer and emailed her account details. I managed to do this online with my bank, but just for a deposit of 115 Euros (one night), my bank charged me $15.00 Canadian for the transfer. It appears we will have to pay the balance in cash and as Fakarava has no bank that I can locate, we will have to get cash out ahead of time in Tahiti, Huahine, or Bora Bora where there are ATMs.

March 25-27, 2017: fly to Rangiroa (RGT) in the Tuamotus and stay two nights at the Pension Bounty (this is the largest and most populous of the islands in the Tuamotu archipelago and we have never been here before). We initially tried to book the Pension Cecile based on reviews, but they were full, so we went with the Pension Bounty. Both have excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. A deposit was required for this pension as well, but we managed to communicate through email alone, so I didn't incur any long distance charges for this pension. However, it was not the most secure form of paying a deposit, as I paid by credit card and this was done by emailing various numbers of my credit card over three different emails. This is not ideal, but it's done now and hopefully the stay will be worth the risk. The balance can apparently be paid by credit card.

March 27-April 1, 2017: fly to Tikehau (TIH) in the Tuamotus and stay five nights at the Pension Justine (this is the island of pink sand and copious fish). I, at least, hope we'll be staying there. I had an email from this pension confirming that they had room, but when I emailed back to say that we'd take it, I received no confirmation back and my follow up emails have received no response yet (we also chose this pension based on reviews on Trip Advisor). Hopefully they're just on island time (we experienced that a lot on our last trip to French Polynesia on the outer islands where people were very much laid back and on their own schedule, it takes getting used to when you're coming from a city). The other confirmation I asked for is that they will meet us at the airport to pick us up (pensions usually will pick you up at the airport either as you request it and as part of the price of the stay or for an additional charge and this is very useful because often the airport is on a motu or little island or far away from where you are staying and there may not be taxis or any other way to get to the pension.) Apparently this pension takes credit cards. Although, it's always good to have extra cash, because I read some horror stories about people on small islands who went to pay by credit card, only to find that the credit card machine was broken or that cards were no longer accepted, or that the ATM on the island was broken and they couldn't get cash out to pay on some of the smaller islands.

April 1-2, 2017- fly back to Tahiti (PPT) and stay one night at Le Meridian in Punaauia, which is nearer to the airport and also much nicer for swimming and more pretty than downtown Papeete (it's a suburb of Papeete). This was chosen based on the fact that it is a Starwood hotel, my husband is a member and has upgrade potential here, it's near to the airport and we're flying out early the next day, and we've already spent quite a bit of time in Papeete (the capital and where the downtown that has the market and most of the stores is located) last trip and have seen the downtown, so we really don't need to again on this. This hotel was easy to book by calling the Platinum Member Concierge at Starwood Hotels (and no long distance charges).

April 2, 2017- fly to L.A. (LAX) on Delta/ Air France and stay one night in L.A. as our flight arrives at 6:35 PM and we'll be tired and we've learned that on the way back, trying to travel all the way between Tahiti and Victoria, BC is too long of a trip. We have not chosen a hotel yet for L.A., but this should be easy enough to do and also something that we can book easily online.

April 3, 2017- fly from L.A. to Victoria, BC (YYJ) via Vancouver (YVR) on Air Canada.

April swimming in water off of an uninhabited motu on an excursion from Huahine.

A further note on trying to book accommodations in French Polynesia, sometimes there is no response to emails or email addresses cannot be found or not easily found for pensions in which case you might find yourself calling. I found that some of the pensions' phone numbers either did not work, only worked sometimes (on the Tuamotu Islands in particular), or there was no answer and no answering machine. Booking accommodations can take some patience if you're not booking into some huge resort or multinational chain (and on some of these little islands you will not find either and in any event if you really want to experience the culture and islands and have home cooked Polynesian food, pensions are the way to go, oh and they're cheaper).

And now we pack. . . .

From our last French Polynesia trip, a view of Maupiti.

August 10, 2016- Checking Out of the Grand Hotel Central Barcelona, Private Car Service from the Hotel to BCN, Duty Free, Air Canada Rouge Premium BCN to YYZ, Air Canada Premium YYZ to YYJ

This morning we woke up exhausted after not enough of a sleep. We packed.

When we checked out of the Grand Central Hotel Barcelona, we asked about their private car which was advertised in our room. They said that it could take us to the airport for 30 EU (a taxi is 35 to 40 EU normally the front desk woman said). We hired it and were whisked out the door with our bags by several staff.

As we drove to BCN, the lovely driver, Alex, told us about his time in the Spanish Navy and the many countries that he had lived in. At the airport, he took us to the right terminal and then left his vehicle and carried April’s bags and took us to a screen, determined where we had to check in, and then took us to the check in place. We’ve never had service like this before. The hotel may have rough spots like its room service, mattresses (at least in our room), the weird perfume, and street noise, but the service and location make it probably almost impossible to beat.

We had checked into our Air Canada flight online the night before, but we had to show our passports for verification and hand over our two checked bags to an agent. The lineup was not long. The woman took our two bags and put a priority tag on them (we think it’s because we ended up in Air Canada Rouge Premium, either through some upgrade because of Bill’s status, or because that was what was left).

We went to the VAT office to get the receipt for the scarf that April bought stamped to get the tax back (it was put on her credit card at the department store in their duty free office, but if you don’t get the receipt stamped at the airport and then send that to them, they reverse the credit card refund). There was quite a long lineup to get this stamp and we contemplated whether or not it was worth it in the future. We think that unless you're spending a lot of money or you don't mind standing in long lineups, it's probably not really worth it. We didn't spend that much money, so we don't really think that it was worth it. After the form from the department store which resembled a receipt was stamped, we were directed to put it, in the envelope provided, in the box at the end of the line.

We then had to go through the exit visa line. We asked the airport employee directing the lineups which would be faster, EU or non-EU, since sometimes non-EU moves faster. She said it was a gamble, but probably EU, so we took that lineup with April’s Irish passport. The lineup moved quickly and after we were out we went to the duty free shop to spend our last few Euros.

We then found the area where our gate was located, had a late breakfast at a café, and then went straight into the priority boarding lineup for zones 1 and 2 (there is no zone 1 on this flight and we were in zone 2 at the front- shi shi shi baby).

Only two seats side by side in the premium section of Air Canada Rouge. And the seats are bigger with more leg room.

Neither of us has ever been in priority before. In Air Canada Rouge Priority premium it is only two seats at each window and two seats in the middle. They are larger seats and have more legroom. You are given a welcome bottle of water and a drink before take off. We also were given a pack that contained an eye shade, earplugs, and socks.

We left almost 30 minutes late from Barcelona, heading for Toronto first (almost a 9 hour flight). We would have a layover of about four hours, before catching our second flight to Victoria in Air Canada Premium seats (so since it's Air Canada and not Rouge, there would be a business class in front of us, then the premium section, then coach). The second flight, YYZ to YYJ, is about 5 hours.

After takeoff, for the first snack with a drink, we were given a drink in a real glass or mug. The meal was served on porcelain with metal cutlery and a drink in a real glass. The food seems somewhat fancier, though still an airline meal.

The view out the window leaving Barcelona.

Real glass and porcelain.

Our main meal.

Silverware with the Air Canada logo on it.

We were given an iPad each for entertainment. April watched a couple of episodes of a TV show. Bill played some video games on the iPad.

For the duration of the flight, Bill and April fought to stay awake to try to get back on Pacific Standard Time. Bill dozed once for about 20 minutes, while April worked on the blog on Bill's laptop. We worked on choosing pictures for the blog to post later. We listened to a Harry Potter audiobook on Bill's computer, sharing a set of microphones.

Towards the end of the flight, we ate a "sandwich" which was more like a burrito in a cardboard box heated up. All in all the food on this flight wasn't that bad (certainly better than Delta last year).

The flight was actually quite rough at many points and we were both glad that we're not nervous flyers. The seat belt sign kept going on as turbulence made the plane bounce through the air high in the sky. But we arrived safely.

In YYZ (Toronto's Pearson International Airport), we did not have to meet our bags, as they would go through to Victoria themselves, but we did have to clear customs (paper forms still). At  one of the kiosks, April's passport would scan (N.B. her Canadian passport- Canadians are supposed to enter and exit Canada on their Canadian passport even if they are dual citizen of some other country), but Bill's brand new 10 year one wouldn't.  We tried again. And again. We asked for an airport employee. She tried it at several other self serve kiosks. It didn't work. We were not impressed as Bill's passport is one of the new 10 year passports that cost more, while April's is an older five year passport. The airport employee finally routed us into the Nexus lineup (Bill has a Nexus card). An agent said it was fine that Bill's passport didn't scan (it seems to be not unheard of). He marked up our customs form and sent us on our way. We then had to clear another lineup to hand in our marked customs form.

After, we walked towards the connecting flights signs, branching off from those meeting baggage. We followed the confusing signs to find our gate area (others were lost and asking for directions, not  good signage). When we left an elevator, in our gate area, we discovered that we had to clear security again (we did this in Barcelona already and had been stuck inside two airports and a plane ever since).The airport employee told us that the next floor up had more doors so it was better, so we went up another level. We were able to use the Nexus lineup (Bill has a Nexus card, but April doesn't, nonetheless they allowed it). The Nexus lineup took quite a while (not as long as non-Nexus though, those lineups were massive). April went through screening first and of course set off the alarm that indicates that extra screening is needed. The agent ran off to grab the special paper to rub on April's hands and her belly to check for explosive making trace residue (ah is good to be back in Canada where April is targeted at almost every single airport screening she goes goes through). Not unsurprisingly, no traces of explosive making were found and we moved on to find our gate.

By the time we found our gate, we were feeling sick. It was far past bedtime back in Spain and we had been up a long time already. There wasn't much to choose from to eat in the area, so we had sandwiches from Tim Horton's and a couple of huge cups of steeped tea (stay awake!!!!!!!). We also had some chips (the salt is so much more pronounced in Canada than Europe. We really do have a love of salt here). We worked on the blog and fought to stay awake.

We boarded our flight from YYZ to YYJ (Victoria, BC). We were a little late leaving. When the plane took off the noise was very strange and Bill and April cast several nervous glances at each other, wondering if the plane was going to make it (when we had boarded the flight, the technician was telling the flight attendant that it was an old plane that was very fragile, great).

Let's get this flight over with. We're tired.

This flight was about five hours. We were in the first row of the premium economy section, behind the poorly drawn mini curtain over the top of the business seats in front of us. We were assigned to aisle and middle. No one showed up for the window seat which we were pleased about. It's three people across in the premium economy section on an Air Canada flight. In the first row of premium where we were seated, the middle person has no pocket in front of them (there are only two seats in the business class rows, but three in premium) and their screen is a pull out one from the seat arm. We don't really understand how Air Canada can charge more for these seats. Yes you get a free sandwich and snack, yes there's a bit more leg room, yes you're almost first on and first off, but for the amount more that they charge (when you're not assigned or upgraded for free), it seems kind of disappointing (or at least it is especially for the person in the middle of the first premium row who doesn't get a normal tray table, entertainment screen, or seat pocket).

Plus, there were only two bathrooms at the back and one at the front of the plane. We were screened off from business class by a curtain, so we had to walk all the way to the very back of the plane from almost the front to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, the flight attendants were blocking the aisle most of the time on the flight, so eventually they just sent April up to business class, where the flight attendant there warned her that the seat belt sign was on and she would have to use the bathroom at her own risk. Don't worry about it, buddy, I can handle myself in a bucking airplane toilet. Better that than having an "accident." And it was a very rough flight. One of the roughest we've ever felt in a bigger plane (besides that previous flight, which was also really turbulent).

We fought to stay awake, listening to Harry Potter for a while, but then both drifting out and missing most of the chapter, drool dripping out of our slacked jaws. We tried to drink more caffeinated beverages and lots of water, but it was no good. It was nearing our normal wake up time in Spain and we had still not slept. We had almost been up 24 hours by the time we neared home (other than Bill's 20 minute nap and the few stolen moments on that flight).

The views coming into Victoria were gorgeous and we were relieved that we would be in bed soon with our kitty, Lamont.

Mount Baker was visible above the clouds.

Mt. Baker with the faint outline of Ranier in the background

North Saanich at sunset.

We met our bags at the Victoria Airport (they were priority tagged, so they were some of the first out). Both of our bags arrived, which we were very happy about (better than our honeymoon night where we arrived at our destination, but neither of our suitcases did. Funnily enough, the exact same thing happened to April's sister on her honeymoon night).

We took a taxi home, then took our car and drove to April's cousin's place to pick up Lamont. Lamont was very pleased to see us and we drove home with him yowling his displeasure at the car ride.

Lamont knows how to show his displeasure.

We were home, with our kitty, and the trip had all in all been good. Success. Oh, and we won't be taking a cruise ever again.

And now we sleep. . . . 

July 20-21, 2016- YYJ to YYZ to AMS

We dropped our beloved cat, Lamont, off at my cousin's place, before heading to the airport. He was not thrilled by us leaving, the cat carrier, or the car ride, and popped his head out of the carrier while in the car, leading to an awesome selfie.

#catcarselfie

We left YYJ (Victoria, BC) late, headed for YYZ (Toronto) on July 20th. We found out that on a 4.5 hour Air Canada flight you no longer get a meal, just a drink. So we bought a chicken wrap, pepperoni pizza, vegetable sticks, and cheese and crackers to share. Definitely not Michelin rated.

Waiting to board our flight to Toronto

On the plane to Toronto on Air Canada...logo behind us.

We talked to the guy beside us for half the flight about the real estate market and when this is all going to come crashing down. He mentioned a good saying "flying and falling feel very similar, you can only tell the difference when you see the ground." How true.

We had dinner in the Toronto airport. We shared a mediocre chicken Caesar salad and lox and cream cheese on a slice of a half of a bagel. Well what can you expect in an airport?

We boarded our Amsterdam bound flight just before 8:30 pm EST. The flight was about 7 hours and 20 minutes. It was of course difficult to get comfortable, but, being tough Canadians, we survived. They gave us a dinner late in the evening, some water and other drinks throughout, and then a "continental breakfast" which consisted of a piece of very sweet banana bread, a tea or coffee, and a juice or water.

On the flight to Amsterdam...logo much closer.

We landed in AMS (Amsterdam) at 10:20 AM local time, July 21st.