In this episode we talk about... sailing among Tahiti’s islands on Panorama II and why a 49-guest vessel can reveal a side of French Polynesia that feels intimate, flexible, and close to the water. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com can help plan a Tahiti vacation that combines Variety Cruises with island stays, flights, and activities chosen around your interests. Normand Schafer is joined by Thanos from Variety Cruises for a detailed look at the ship, the routes, and the experiences guests can expect.

Panorama II operates year-round in Tahiti and French Polynesia. The itineraries discussed begin in Papeete and include islands such as Moorea, with options of seven, ten, and eleven days. Longer journeys can create more time in the islands and include overnight stays. For travelers hoping to experience more than one destination, the ship provides continuity: unpack once, settle in, and allow the scenery to change around you.

Normand contrasts Panorama II with vessels carrying around 2,000 people. The smaller ship still has the essential amenities, comfortable upper decks, and indoor spaces, yet it is able to reach secluded bays and areas inaccessible to much larger ships. Being able to anchor close to shore can make the islands feel immediate rather than like something viewed from far above or across a busy terminal.

Variety Cruises designs, builds, and operates its small ships, according to Thanos. Panorama II is made for an immersive style of travel. Onboard activities may include cooking, cocktail-making, and crafts, but the journey is not organized around massive entertainment venues. Every day can bring an excursion or another chance to experience the destination itself.

Some guests want a full schedule, while others need space to relax. The interview makes clear that both approaches can work. Certain excursions and activities are included, and others are optional. Travelers may choose snorkeling, sightseeing, a walk, beach time, or simply the atmosphere of French Polynesia. The chief experience officer spends time with guests and helps tailor choices to their interests.

Direct access to the lagoon is one of Panorama II’s most distinctive features. In selected secluded locations, guests can swim from a deck close to the water. Snorkeling gear, paddling equipment, canoes, and kayaks are provided. Normand says this proximity can feel like being on your own yacht, while Thanos adds the important benefit that guests do not have to captain it themselves.

The ship’s sails may be used when weather conditions are right, although Panorama II generally motors so it can remain on schedule and provide a comfortable passage. Guests can also enjoy outdoor areas and al fresco dinners when possible.

Moorea holds a special place in the conversation. Thanos explains that Bora Bora first attracted him because of its global reputation, but Moorea became his favorite. Still, he considers the connection with the people of Tahiti and French Polynesia to be the true highlight. Theme evenings with local participation and visits that move away from crowded areas help make that connection possible.

The episode also speaks to travelers who do not think of themselves as cruise people. A ship carrying 49 guests offers a different social and physical scale. People can meet naturally, the crew can understand individual preferences, and the vessel serves as a practical way to see several islands without constant packing or arranging separate ferry journeys.

Discover the Variety Cruises option for Tahiti:

https://farandawayadventures.com/small-ship-cruises/variety-cruises/

When you are ready to explore Tahiti beyond a single island, a Far and Away Adventures specialist can help. We can match the sailing to the time and pace you prefer, then coordinate the land and air arrangements so your French Polynesia vacation feels complete.

In this episode we talk about how to think about flights between Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, and the rest of French Polynesia. Host Normand Schafer is joined by Edouard Wong Fat, CEO of Air Tahiti, for an informed look at the network behind a French Polynesia journey. For personalized planning, visit Far and Away Adventures.com: https://farandawayadventures.com.

Edouard Wong Fat explains the role Air Tahiti plays after visitors arrive in Papeete. The airline makes it possible to reach the places that define a Tahiti vacation, while also serving the everyday needs of the people who call those islands home. It is a local network with an extraordinary geography, and that makes route planning, dependable operations, and communication especially important.

This episode is especially helpful when your first Tahiti itinerary starts growing. A few nights in Tahiti, a ferry or flight to Moorea, a lagoon stay in Bora Bora, and a cultural stop in Raiatea or Huahine can be wonderful—but only if the order, connections, and pace make sense. Normand and Edouard unpack the factors that turn a wish list into a workable trip.

The interview also goes behind the scenes of the airline’s work: serving a varied mix of communities, maintaining schedules across an island system, preparing for demand, and balancing tourism with long-term stewardship. It shows why the flight between islands can be as meaningful as the time spent after landing.

The conversation makes clear that an island-hopping holiday is not simply a list of famous names. A good route accounts for the distance between islands, the need for sensible connections, and the kind of experience you want on the ground. It may make sense to pair Tahiti and Moorea, combine Bora Bora with Raiatea, or slow down and allow a lesser-known island more time. The answer depends on the traveller, not a standard formula.

Before booking, think about the journey in the same detail as the hotel. Consider flight days, local transfers, weather, how much moving around your group will enjoy, and what you hope to remember most. Far and Away Adventures can help connect those decisions into a French Polynesia vacation that feels coherent from arrival to departure.

If you are planning a Tahiti honeymoon, family trip, return visit, or first island-hopping adventure, this conversation offers practical context before you make the route decisions that shape the whole vacation.

For travel inspiration and customized support, connect with Far and Away Adventures at https://farandawayadventures.com. Schedules, routes, availability, and entry requirements can change, so confirm current details directly before committing to a trip.

This is a useful episode for listeners who want to travel with curiosity and confidence, choosing an itinerary that leaves space for the islands themselves rather than racing between them.

In this episode, we talk about Palau diving with Deer from Fish ‘n Fins and Ocean Hunter, and it’s a strong reminder that the Pacific’s most unforgettable experiences aren’t limited to one region. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are mentioned early because planning a Pacific journey—whether it’s French Polynesia, Palau, or a long-term wish list—often comes down to aligning dates, goals, and the right operators for the kind of experience you want.

Deer describes Palau as one of the world’s best dive destinations because it offers an incredible range: manta rays, sharks, major fish spawning events, and more than 30 World War II wrecks. We discuss the iconic sites divers come for—Blue Corner and German Channel—then move into what Deer says is Palau’s deeper attraction: spawning dives. He explains how, before full and new moons, huge numbers of fish can aggregate to spawn, and how there are also seasonal spawning windows, including a period involving Moorish idols described for certain months that can draw significant shark activity. He emphasizes that shark feeding is forbidden in Palau and that the ecosystem’s richness is rooted in natural behavior and protection.

We also talk about trip structure. Deer describes Fish ‘n Fins as a full-service dive shop with a large fleet designed for comfortable dive days, and he introduces Ocean Hunter as a cozy liveaboard option with eight cabins for up to 16 guests, known for strong food and access to top sites. He also hints at a less-traveled side of Palau: northern dive sites that many visitors overlook because they focus on the famous southern sites, yet those northern areas have produced remarkable manta sightings.

Conservation is woven throughout the episode. Deer describes plastic cleanups, awareness programs, and a long-running annual Shark Week that includes education for local students about sharks and why they matter. He references Palau’s shark sanctuary reputation and broad protected marine zones. For planning, he recommends using moon phases and tides to time spawning opportunities and notes the experience threshold and diver-number limits described for certain spawning dives to reduce impact. If Palau is calling you, Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com) can help you design the right plan for your goals and timing.

In this episode, we talk about a side of Tahiti and French Polynesia that most travelers never experience: Rapa in the Austral Islands. Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com) sponsors this episode, and Normand’s conversation with Roti M offers an inside view of why some islands can only welcome visitors in moderation—and why that’s a feature, not a flaw.

We discuss what makes Rapa culturally distinct: dance and drumming that feel powerful and intense, children performing in the village, and a music culture where singing is a social network that keeps people connected. Rapa’s population is small (around 500), and the community lifestyle is built around sharing, family ties, and making decisions through discussion.

Roti also explains the island’s approach to land held for the community rather than bought and sold—and how indigenous land rights and customary organization shape long-term protection of culture and identity. On the practical side, we talk about living off local plantations and gardens, the reality of imported goods, and how construction materials and supplies arrive by ship—even sand shipped in to support roads and cement.

A key theme is preservation without isolation: welcoming visitors, but not letting tourism erode social cohesion. We also touch on a pressing environmental concern—introduced pine trees spreading across hillsides and potentially covering historic areas and changing the island’s sightlines. If you’re planning Tahiti beyond the usual stops, this episode helps you think clearly about logistics, expectations, and respectful travel. For guidance in designing the right French Polynesian itinerary, contact Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com).

In this episode, we talk about Rimatara in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia and what it’s like to visit one of the least-visited corners of “Tahiti” travel. If you’re exploring French Polynesia beyond the most common island names, start with Far and Away Adventures.com and get planning help at https://farandawayadventures.com. This episode blends local perspective with practical reality: Rimatara is small, welcoming, and calm—but it’s also limited in access and built for low-volume travel.

Normand Schafer speaks with Nila on the island, opening with what makes Rimatara distinct: it’s tiny, protected by a close reef, and home to a small community. Nila explains why she moved here from Bora Bora after marrying a local. From there, she describes the lifestyle in concrete terms: fewer cars, more nature, and fruit and gardens that support living off the land. It’s not a destination built around shopping and constant activity; it’s a place where day-to-day life is part of what visitors come to understand.

Nila also offers a meaningful family and community perspective. She says raising children on Rimatara feels easier because the community is “family-ish,” with people looking out for each other. For travelers, this helps explain why visitors often feel genuinely welcomed here: hospitality isn’t a performance, it’s part of how the island functions. Normand’s conversation reinforces another important point—Rimatara doesn’t want or expect mass arrivals. It works best in moderation.

Access is a key planning detail. Nila explains that travel to Rimatara is limited: flights operate only a couple times per week, and ship visits are rare. As a result, visitor numbers remain low, and accommodations are small-scale—two guest houses that take special care of travelers because hosting is personal and uncommon. If you’re used to choosing among dozens of hotels, this will feel different. If you’re seeking authenticity, it may feel exactly right.

What do you do when you arrive? Nila recommends starting with an island tour to discover the land. But she emphasizes that cultural connection is where Rimatara shines: religious parties, dance shows, and singing. She also highlights the annual “Hava” festival in July, where villages prepare dances and present them in the main village, with multi-day programming that includes dance, singing, and sports like stone lifting. For travelers, that kind of calendar event can be a highlight—especially if you time your trip accordingly.

Nature adds another reason to come: birdwatching for the colorful “ʻura,” plus simple lagoon and underwater time. Nila describes fishing and seafood gathering, including sea cucumber and local shellfish, and notes that women often collect seafood to share within the community—another example of the island’s communal rhythm.

If Rimatara is on your wish list, Far and Away Adventures can help you connect the right flights, dates, and island sequence so your French Polynesia itinerary stays smooth while still feeling remote. Start with Far and Away Adventures.com and plan at https://farandawayadventures.com.

In this episode, we talk about Rurutu, a remote island in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia, through an on-the-ground conversation with local voice Tev Avata. If you’re planning Tahiti and want to go beyond the most common island stops, start with Far and Away Adventures.com and connect at https://farandawayadventures.com. This episode is about what makes Rurutu special—and how to experience it in a way that protects the island’s character.

Normand Schafer sets the scene: Rurutu is peaceful, “pristine,” and small, with caves to explore and whales that draw visitors offshore during the seasonal window. Instead of treating the island like a list of activities, he asks Tev what life is like here. Tev explains that Rurutu is home—where he was born, where he lives, and where he works—and that belonging shapes how you understand the island. It’s not a destination built to absorb mass tourism; it’s a community that welcomes visitors, but values moderation.

The conversation highlights the island’s relationship with land and sea. Tev describes how close the ocean is and how people can walk to it, dive, and fish nearby. There’s also mention of free diving for food—harvesting lobsters and fish—and a broader point that many people see themselves as connected to the earth. Fishing is often done for personal benefit, not for selling, and that detail matters for travelers because it reflects a lifestyle built around sustenance and stewardship rather than scale. Normand emphasizes what he observes: people love the land, take care of it, and in return it provides.

When Normand asks what visitors can do to preserve the environment, Tev acknowledges the complexity. He talks about “evolution”—how modern life changes habits—and mentions the shift from horses to cars over time. That becomes a useful travel-planning lens: you can seek authentic connections without expecting communities to remain unchanged for outsiders. Respect means meeting people where they are today, not where you imagine them to be.

Whales are a key reason many travelers come to Rurutu, and Tev explains why the experience feels different—something you must feel in person. At the same time, he shares his personal position: he has never swum with whales because, for him, it’s a sign of respect. He also reflects on what he believes he has seen over time in terms of whale presence. Normand adds context about protections and limits, and the broader principle that wildlife experiences only remain sustainable when behavior stays respectful.

Finally, the episode includes a local preview of a famous cave hike Tev calls “the cave of the monster.” He describes how the natural formations can feel like functional “rooms,” but he also warns the hike can be grueling and potentially dangerous without the right physical and mental readiness—plus good shoes. For travelers, that’s the kind of detail that helps you choose the right experiences and prepare properly.

If you’d like to add Rurutu or the Austral Islands to a broader Tahiti itinerary—whether as a dedicated extension or as part of a small-ship journey—Far and Away Adventures can help you connect the pieces smoothly. Start at Far and Away Adventures.com and plan at https://farandawayadventures.com.

In this episode, we talk about Raivavae in the Austral Islands—one of French Polynesia’s most beautiful lagoon settings—through the eyes of Eleanor, a local guesthouse owner who shares what life is really like on the island. If you want help planning a Tahiti and outer-islands itinerary that includes remote gems like this, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com and work with a Far and Away Adventures specialist.

Norm records the conversation from Raivavae, setting the scene with the island’s famous blue lagoon and the much-photographed “Motu Piscine,” a tiny motu that can look like a natural swimming pool when sand and current shape the water. Eleanor adds depth by sharing the local name Vaimanu and explaining its meaning, describing a freshwater pond on the motu that draws birds. That detail is exactly what makes Tahiti travel richer: you move from “pretty place” to “place with story,” and you begin to see the island through local language and local meaning rather than just visitor labels.

But the episode is also clear that Raivavae is more than a lagoon stop. Eleanor talks about daily life, explaining that agriculture remains central and many people grow what they eat. Fishing is equally important, and she describes practical lagoon transportation—an island reality where not everyone can afford modern equipment, so traditional approaches remain part of life. These insights help travelers set expectations the right way: Raivavae isn’t built around mass tourism. It’s a community first, which is why the experience can feel so personal and special.

Culture comes through strongly when Eleanor describes the costume she’s wearing, created for an annual competition. She explains how it’s made from natural materials like mother-of-pearl, woven plant fiber, and coconut shell, and she connects that to the broader world of island handicrafts. You also hear about collecting shells on motus for craft and decoration, and how nature is the starting point for both practical items and celebratory art. For travelers interested in culture, this is the kind of detail that turns a visit into a conversation rather than a transaction.

In terms of what to do, Eleanor and Norm outline an experience mix that works well for many Tahiti travelers: lagoon motu days, coral garden outings, birdwatching options, and simple relaxation where the colors are the main event. Eleanor also says Raivavae has many motus, each with its own beauty, so you’re not limited to one “famous” stop. On land, Norm recalls biking around the island, while Eleanor describes hiking trails that take you into the interior, helping you understand how people lived in earlier times when farm life drew residents inland. The episode also touches on the warm welcome visitors receive—music, flowers, and genuine hosting—and Eleanor explains how tourism supports the island economy and why the community gets excited when visiting ships bring more guests. If Raivavae is on your wish list, Far and Away Adventures can help you build the right structure—how long to stay, how to balance lagoon time with cultural time, and how to connect Raivavae to the rest of your French Polynesia plans.

In this episode, we talk about a Tahiti travel experience that goes far beyond Bora Bora—sailing on the Aranui 5 freighter cruise into the remote Marquesas and Austral Islands with onboard guide Steven Tahhiva. If you’re considering an Aranui-style itinerary, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com to plan with a specialist who knows how to make Tahiti logistics work smoothly.

Steven shares how he joined the ship more than two decades ago and worked his way through multiple onboard departments—dishwashing, restaurant service, kitchen, bar, and reception—before joining the guide team in 2010. That long arc gives him a rare ability to explain what travelers actually feel onboard: the comfort of being looked after by a tight-knit crew, the trust that builds on a small ship, and the way repeat guests become part of the Aranui story. Norm reflects on returning over the years and why this cruise can feel like coming home—especially when you’re greeted by familiar faces who remember your family.

We also unpack a crucial Tahiti travel topic: communication. The Aranui attracts an international mix, often speaking French, English, and German. Steven arrived with English, learned German on board over time, and credits supportive passengers and daily practice for helping him guide confidently across languages. That skill matters when your itinerary spans huge distances and very different island communities, from dramatic volcanic landscapes to small, remote villages.

Destination highlights include the Marquesas Islands—especially Nuku Hiva and Fatu Hiva—where Steven describes variety, rugged beauty, and hikes that become “core memories.” Norm recalls long walking days and the reward of dramatic viewpoints like Virgin’s Bay. We also discuss the Austral Islands (including Rurutu and Rapa) and the awe of remote summits that leave you speechless. A standout story features a passenger who stayed on Nuku Hiva with Steven’s family to experience daily life, underscoring Polynesian hospitality as sharing from the heart. If you want help choosing the right Tahiti cruise, adding pre- or post-cruise island time, and building an itinerary that feels effortless, Far and Away Adventures can help you put every piece in place.

In this episode, we talk about the Austral Islands with archaeologist Mark Eddowes, including what travelers should understand about marae temples, taboo, tiki traditions, and respectful cultural etiquette when visiting remote French Polynesia. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are included early because Tahiti-region travel often requires thoughtful planning once you venture beyond the Society Islands—especially if you want the Australs to feel accessible and meaningful rather than confusing and rushed. Normand Schafer interviews Mark onboard Aranui 5 while sailing through the Australs, and the conversation offers a rare blend of historical insight and practical traveler guidance.

Mark begins by explaining how he entered archaeology: childhood interests in Māori history in New Zealand, university studies, and a graduate focus on Polynesian marae temples. A major collaborative research effort brought him to Tahiti’s Papenoo Valley, where archaeological sites needed to be documented and excavated in the context of proposed modern development. That experience grounded Mark’s career in both research and cultural protection, and it sets up a key point for travelers: in French Polynesia, many sites are not simply “old ruins.” They remain emotionally and culturally present, connected to ancestors and community identity.

He shares fieldwork across Rimatara and Tubuai—surveying marae and excavating early settlement sites—and he highlights a striking cultural distinction in Raivavae. In Raivavae, tiki figures are associated with deified female ancestors, unlike many other islands where male ancestors are more commonly represented. Mark also discusses how settlement influences appear to differ across the archipelago, with Raivavae showing strong ties to Marquesas origins while other islands connect more to Society Islands settlement patterns.

Mark then describes what visitors notice: natural landscapes with limited development, small populations, and a subtropical climate that can feel fresher than Tahiti or the Marquesas. Daily life still centers on plantations and fishing, with strong family and community solidarity. He also explains how artistry supports the cash economy, especially pandanus weaving—mats, hats, fans—and he notes a modern carving renaissance as young men revive historic motifs once suppressed by missionary influence. This is a key insight for Tahiti travelers: many of the most important cultural traditions you see today do not preserve in the archaeological record. They survive through teaching, innovation, and community memory.

The most useful travel section is Mark’s etiquette guidance. He explains the Polynesian concept of taboo and why marae sites remain sacred even in Christian communities today. His advice is clear: take photographs, but do not climb on sites, do not touch or rearrange stones, and never remove anything. He also notes specific boundaries such as observing certain cemeteries from outside only. Mark adds that the Australs are conservative and strongly Protestant, and he encourages modest dress away from the beach—shorts for men and a pareo or wrap for women, with no topless sunbathing—out of respect for local norms.

The conversation closes with memorable discoveries from Mark’s career, including a red volcanic tuff tiki connected to sacred symbolism of the color red across Polynesia, a reused ancestor figure found within a house alignment that hints at changing beliefs during early conversion eras, and turtle petroglyphs revealed only when restored stonework caught sunset light at the right angle. If you want to explore the Australs with deeper insight and respectful planning—before you ever step ashore—Far and Away Adventures can help you design and book the right Tahiti-region itinerary, including the best sailing and extensions for your travel style.

In this episode, we talk about Aranui 5 shore excursions with Lehi, including what’s included at every stop and what optional experiences you can add across French Polynesia. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are the best places to begin if you want help planning an Aranui itinerary and understanding how the island days unfold in real life. Normand Schafer records this conversation onboard, and Lehi’s 14 years of experience guiding guests through the Marquesas and beyond make this episode especially useful for travelers who want both inspiration and practical clarity.

Lehi explains the core promise first: Aranui includes excursions at every port. That’s a major differentiator in Tahiti travel because many visitors are used to building their days around resorts, rental cars, or independent bookings. On a deluxe freighter cruise, the experience is designed differently. The ship and local partners coordinate the day, transportation availability varies by island, and the most meaningful cultural moments often happen because the island community is actively part of the welcome. The result is a Tahiti-region trip that feels curated but not artificial—structured, yet still deeply local.

Nuku Hiva is a centerpiece of the discussion because it often serves as an early “this is what Aranui is” day. Lehi describes a safari-style full-day experience using local jeeps and four-wheel drives, visiting key stops including a cathedral and an archaeological site, and then sharing lunch ashore where hosts greet guests with songs and dance. Normand highlights a detail that surprises first-timers: the ship can reposition to the other side of the island while guests travel overland, meaning you don’t always return to the same harbor you started from. That movement gives the day a sense of true travel rather than a simple excursion loop, and it’s part of why the Marquesas feel so immersive on Aranui.

The episode also addresses traveler needs that matter in Tahiti planning, especially around meals and comfort. Lehi notes that food ashore can be prepared differently than onboard—sometimes using traditional methods—and that’s part of the cultural experience. At the same time, special diets can be supported by preparing appropriate meals on the ship and bringing them ashore, ensuring travelers aren’t forced to choose between participation and dietary safety. That detail is valuable for anyone planning French Polynesia who has allergies, medical diets, or strong food preferences.

Optional excursions are discussed in the context of where they naturally fit. In lagoon-focused areas such as Rangiroa, Lehi mentions optional add-ons like dolphin observation and glass-bottom boat style outings. In Bora Bora, optional aquatic experiences can be available, and Lehi points to the included motu picnic as a favorite moment—often feeling like a celebratory “final lunch” that caps the voyage with something quintessentially Tahiti: lagoon beauty, shared time, and a sense that everyone onboard has become a community.

For active travelers, Lehi describes the Fatu Hiva crossing from Omoa to Hanavave—about 15 km for hikers who want the challenge and the views. He also explains the alternatives, including a four-wheel-drive option or sailing around to meet the ship on the other side, which allows groups to share a destination without sharing the same physical intensity. And on Hiva Oa, he describes the day that connects to Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel, offering both hiking and bus options, sometimes using school buses that reflect the real infrastructure of island life. If you’re ready to plan Aranui 5 with the right blend of culture, hikes, and lagoon time, Far and Away Adventures can help you choose the best sailing and coordinate the full Tahiti-region journey.