Join us with the southern Pacific pods

of Humpback Whales in 2011

Humpback Whales of the South Pacific
with Joan Ocean in Tahiti, French Polynesia

September 10 - 16

September 17 - 23

Rurutu Island, South of Tahiti

 

In September, we will travel to the French Polynesian Island of RURUTU for two weeks, twenty degrees south of the Equator.
To get there you fly to Tahiti and then a 1 1/2 hour flight south to the remote island of Rurutu, where the Humpbacks spend their winters birthing and mating in the crystal clear, coastal waters. We will join them as they float, dream and sing, sharing their profound peace and wisdom with us.


Cost: $2495 per person for 7 days/ 6 nights - Double Occupancy

What's Included and Not Included:
Our workshop begins with your arrival on Saturday.


INCLUDED:


- If you register for both weeks, you will be able to stay on Rurutu Island Friday and Saturday night for a flat fee of US $100. This includes accommodations, continental breakfast and dinner from Friday evening to Sunday morning.


NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare to and from Tahiti
- Transportation to and from the Faa'a Airport 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 U.S. check.
* The Second payment of $1495.00 is due on May 1st, 2011
* The Third and final payment of $1000.00 is due on July 6th, 2011

 

 


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 French Polynesia


Detailed Travel Information

Important things to do immediately:

1.Check that you have the correct Travel Documents (Valid Passport)

2. Reserve your space -- only a few spots left !!!

3. Book your flights.

4. Arrange for Cancellation/Travel Insurance (optional)


WEEK ONE: Saturday September 10 - Arrival into Papeete, Tahiti


WEEK TWO: Saturday September 17 - Arrival into Papeete, Tahiti



- - Make your flight arrangements to arrive in Papeete Airport, Tahiti on Saturday, September 10th ( or 17th - depending on the week you attend). Flights are limited so please reserve your seat as soon as possible.


- - Saturday night the group will stay together at Sofitel Tahiti Resort.... Address:

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. Many people in our group will arrive late at night. Your room at the Sofitel Resort will be ready for you.

The Sofitel Tahiti Resort on Saturday night is included in your seminar fee. 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 the reservations manager: 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.


*** V e r y . I m p o r t a n t ***

**** 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.


Le TruckWhen 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.

RETURN FLIGHT INFORMATION
Friday - September 16, 2010 (or September 23th depending on the week you attend)

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 as these island flights can sometimes run a little bit behind.


NOTE: Our Seminar ends on Friday. Please contact a hotel of your choice on the main island of Tahiti, for a reservation IN ADVANCE if you plan to stay overnight on Friday, after our Seminar. (not included in the seminar price.) Tahiti is a popular tourist destination and reservations are a must.


Summary of Important Travel Information


RURUTU FLIGHT DETAILS
WEEK ONE : The group will fly TOGETHER to Rurutu Island on Air Tahiti Flight # 933,
Sept.10th and return together on Flight # 936, Sept. 16th.


WEEK TWO : The group will fly TOGETHER to Rurutu Island on Air Tahiti Flight # 933,
Sept.17th and return together on Flight # 936, Sept. 23rd.

 


* IF you work with Renee to arrange your flights please tell her that you are with the Joan Ocean group: Week September 10-16, or Sept. or Sept. 17-23.


* 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 ensure the correct flights. The airfare for the interisland roundtrip flight between Papeete, Tahiti and Rurutu Island is approximately US$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 crystal clear coastal waters of these South Pacific Islands.
To save a space, please call us.


With love,
Joan & Jean-Luc too! -- (He loves these French Islands)

 

 

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Photos by Lisa Denning

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