Sometimes a country shows up in your life, and you didn’t know you needed it until you get there. That was French Polynesia for me in January 2021. About a year into the pandemic, I didn’t know how much I needed to rest and reset.
Ten months into the pandemic and a lot had happened. Four graduations with cancelled ceremonies, all the canceled senior year stuff, all three girls moved out, packed up the family home into storage so the two of us could travel. We moved one kid across the country to Seattle for a new job, another kid navigated getting into med school with MCAT cancellations and zoom interviews, and the youngest moved into college. I lost a parent, attended the zoom funeral, and re-moved the Seattle kid to a different apartment that suited her better. I didn’t want to admit to myself how much stress I’d been feeling and how little sleep I’d had in the past ten months.
French Polynesia wasn’t at the top of our country to-do list, but when the world closed down and it remained open, we considered that a personal invitation. We flew to French Polynesia on a plane that felt more private than economy. There was almost no one on it. When we arrived at the airport, our outgoing Superhosts were waiting for us with welcome flower leis and cold drinks. They were so friendly and welcoming. When we got back to the apartment, there was a bowl of fresh fruit waiting for us. There is something about feeling like someone is taking care of you as an adult, that feels over the top soothing and comforting.
- Uniquely stunning tropical islands. Most tropical islands have a carefree beauty about them, but these islands were unique. Perhaps it’s the reef that surrounds the islands, creating a shallow area of light turquoise around the island. These clear lagoons are contrasted by the deep greens of the mountains that shoot up from the water’s edge, creating stunning vistas around every turn. The ring roads are often close to sea level you have a front row seat as you cruise on that cusp of mountains meeting water.
2. Europe meets the Caribbean vibe. Would you like some French pastries to go with your tropical island views? You’re in the right place. Grab a baguette, pain choc, fresh mango and bananitos for your beach picnic. We enjoyed buying some sentimental goodies from the grocery stores we haven’t visited since France.
3. The air. Yes, I just became one of those annoying people who talks about the air. I wouldn’t do it if I could avoid it. But the air was different. It smelled like fresh ocean all the time. It felt crisp and healthy like the sea-swept oxygen was invisible hope, making you a better person. Really.
4. Island hopping is easy. We rented a car from our hosts for our entire stay. We drove to the ferry and went to Mo’orea for a week. This is my new favorite island, you could do it in a day. The islands are small so you can explore them easily in a day or an afternoon. We would often take a picnic and find a mountain vista to eat our baguette sandwiches. You can easily explore a number of beaches in a short amount of time.
5. The silence. We were living in a home about a third of the way up a mountain. In the grouping of houses below was a guy who sometimes played on his ukulele and sang. It was out of a Hawaiian movie. Never fully realized the hypnotically relaxing abilities of a sober ukulele musician. But I get it now.
6. No tourist FOMO. Perhaps due to covid or more likely not, there wasn’t much to do. The one museum on the other side of the island was closed. Most of the restaurants were also. The only things to do were either go to the beach, or think about going to the beach and then not go (which is usually what happened). Usually when we travel we want to do a lot of what the city has to offer. But here, in the first couple of days we saw what was open, did a bunch of beaches, found the best restaurants, and even drove around the island. Soon, we saw everything of note that was open. It was a first for us. In most places we visit, there are experiences we wish we could get to but time runs out. But after those first few days in Tahiti, we never felt any fear of missing out. Forced relaxation is what followed. A first for us. And it was fantastic! We’d get up with no possible agenda. By far, the best way to rejuvenate.
If another pandemic rolls around and I need a serious recharge, reboot, reset, you better believe these amazing little islands in the middle of the Pacific will see me again.