The Two-Stop Pacific Hop: Bora Bora & Melbourne (A Mrs. AJK Special)

[CS91]

This TR is kind of making me less excited for my trip to MLE and has me wishing that I had booked BOB instead... 

[Hershelsdeals]

Do you snorkel/dive?

Yes, but there are nicer, easier and cheaper places to dive, do people really go to MLE just for the snorkel/diving?

[Hershelsdeals]

Oh, that's your question? That one is easy.

No. BOB does not dwarf MLE as CUN would dwarf Coney Island beach. Not even close.

(But, why are we taking away the advantages of MLE? That's like asking, "If you took away Michael Jordan's height, his right arm, and his sight, could you beat him in a one-on-one?")

Back to regularly scheduled programming

I don't think anyone argues here. BOB is prettier than MLE and MLE has the better premium cabins and OWB options.

But no way is MLE Coney Island Beach. It's just not as heavenly looking as BOB.

In other words, will i find MLE boring after visiting BOB ( without the premium cabins being part of the argument)
 Like this guy is afraid of.

This TR is kind of making me less excited for my trip to MLE and has me wishing that I had booked BOB instead... 

[Dan]

Yes, but there are nicer, easier and cheaper places to dive, do people really go to MLE just for the snorkel/diving?

People go to relax and have an OWB.
The incredible snorkeling/diving is a bonus.

Yes it will be similar to BOB if you had an OWB with a pool there.

[AJK]

do you really travel with Tabasco sauce wherever you go?

No, but I do take sriracha everywhere.

[AJK]

I love this thread- can't wait for more Mrs. AJK commentary and AJK pictures. Planning for BOB myself now (and at an IHG hotel) so love all the details.

Can you comment a little more on the food situation also? I'll probably be coming from SYD so I don't think I'll have access to POM meals- is French Polynesia pretty strict about bringing food in (non-packaged, etc)?

Absolutely no issue with bringing in Kosher food, just like MLE (minus the pork and alcohol).

There's a lot to be said for what's under the water at MLE

+100

[AJK]

Yes, but there are nicer, easier and cheaper places to dive, do people really go to MLE just for the snorkel/diving?

Are there nicer and cheaper places to dive than MLE? There are probably some, but not many.

And, yes, I'd say it's worth it to go to MLE just for diving, which was otherworldly.

[MC]

No, but I do take sriracha everywhere.

Gosh, you and my husband would get along so well.

[AJK]

Gosh, you and my husband would get along so well.

I choose my friends and business partners basically along these lines, so feel free to introduce us

I have a fundamental distrust for people who dislike Sriracha...

[benjie1305]

No, but I do take sriracha everywhere.

Certainly a must. Thus >> this

[Marco Polo]

I choose my friends and business partners basically along these lines, so feel free to introduce us

I have a fundamental distrust for people who dislike Sriracha...

Sriracha meatloaf

[AJK]

Certainly a must. Thus >> this

Chief, that wouldn't last me a week

Sriracha meatloaf

Is that what made it spicy?? I knew I liked it.

[benjie1305]

Chief, that wouldn't last me a week

Make this kosher please!

[AJK]

Make this kosher please!

Amen.

[Marco Polo]

Chief, that wouldn't last me a week

Is that what made it spicy?? I knew I liked it.

Amongst other spicy ingredients.

[Dawie]

Amen.

speak to these guys they'd do it for you http://joburgkosher.com/

[Denverite]

People go to relax and have an OWB.
The incredible snorkeling/diving is a bonus.

Yes it will be similar to BOB if you had an OWB with a pool there.

Ok back from the Siracha discussion to the MLE comparison (although benjie1305 thanks for the link to those keychains, those are ridiculously awesome)!   I know when I was trying to decide, we went ahead and booked MLE because it just felt so much more private and exclusive.  Would you say that is correct? 

The pool in the OWB was definitely a factor but for example I was cracking up about Mrs. AJK's stray dog story but when I was deciding between the two locations, I wanted to get the full package couples "getaway" and have zero interest in any local "color" and thought that MLE would be better that way (the idea of taking a seaplane to the resort seems really cool and since I grew up overseas in third world countries, not interacting with people living in poverty or stray animals is super appealing to me also).    Also were more people on the beaches and around in the hotels in BOB? 

From FT, it seemed like MLE would give the utmost privacy and many people noted that they never saw others on the beach or at all around the hotel (except in the restaurants) since the whole island is the resort.  So not just external beauty but from issue of privacy and exclusivity that contributes to the whole package on a couples vacation like this, which one do you think was better from that perspective?

[Emkay]

since I grew up in third world countries,

i agree Denver is bad, but that bad? 

[AJK]

Ok back from the Siracha discussion to the MLE comparison (although benjie1305 thanks for the link to those keychains, those are ridiculously awesome)!   I know when I was trying to decide, we went ahead and booked MLE because it just felt so much more private and exclusive.  Would you say that is correct? 

The pool in the OWB was definitely a factor but for example I was cracking up about Mrs. AJK's stray dog story but when I was deciding between the two locations, I wanted to get the full package couples "getaway" and have zero interest in any local "color" and thought that MLE would be better that way (the idea of taking a seaplane to the resort seems really cool and since I grew up overseas in third world countries, not interacting with people living in poverty or stray animals is super appealing to me also).    Also were more people on the beaches and around in the hotels in BOB? 

From FT, it seemed like MLE would give the utmost privacy and many people noted that they never saw others on the beach or at all around the hotel (except in the restaurants) since the whole island is the resort.  So not just external beauty but from issue of privacy and exclusivity that contributes to the whole package on a couples vacation like this, which one do you think was better from that perspective?

Nope.

If it's seclusion you're after, skip the Le Moana (or indeed any resort on Vaitape) and head to IHG Thalasso (or indeed any resort NOT on Vaitape).

You won't have to interact with anyone (or anything for that matter (including dogs)) other than the people who are paying $1,000/night, and even then, you probably won't see anyone unless you're at the main pool or restaurants.

[Dan]

Nope.

If it's seclusion you're after, skip the Le Moana (or indeed any resort on Vaitape) and head to IHG Thalasso (or indeed any resort NOT on Vaitape).

You won't have to interact with anyone (or anything for that matter, (including dogs)) other than the people who are paying $1,000/night, and even then, you probably won't see anyone unless you're at the main pool or restaurants.

Or 73 handwritten envelopes/night