Help with first-timer's itinerary - with elderly companion

Hi, everyone.

My mother (age 83) wants to go to Tahiti and FP, and has never been. My husband and I (ages 46-47) are taking her - shooting for May 2010 (traveling from LAX). We have been discussing islands and where to stay. She would like to stay at pensions, when possible. We'd like clean places, with friendly owners/managers, and we'd like 2 separate bedrooms (either 2 different rooms, or a bungalow with more than one room), with kitchen facilities available, when possible. My mother is a great traveler - she reads up on the places before going, and loves to see things - but she is 83 and she does walk VERY slowly. We won't be diving or snorkeling, but we'll probably swim some, and just putter and see things.

From reading (mainly Lonely Planet) and talking with her about what she wants, I've put together the following possible itinerary. If someone could let me know where or how it looks like it won't work, I'd be SO grateful. The longer-than-usual stay on Tahiti is partly from general interest, and partly because I nearly always get migraines when I travel so I am planning on "losing" a couple of days on the front end while I adjust.

I am sort of wondering whether to cut one island out of this itinerary (possibly Bora Bora at this point, but maybe that is a MUST-see?) - so if you have a suggestion about that, I'd love to hear it.

Thank you so much.

Fly to Pape'ete from LAX

3 nights in Tahiti, at Taaroa Lodge, if possible (breakfast included) [alternatives: Ahitea Lodge, or Fare Suisse]

Ferry to Mo'orea (mother wants at least one boat crossing)

3 nights in Mo'orea at Pension Motu Iti (bungalow) [alternatives: Tarariki Village, or Les Tipaniers Hotel, or Tapa Lodge]

Fly to Bora Bora

2 nights at Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort [alternative: Village Temanuata, or Blue Island Heaven]

Maupiti Express 2 to Maupiti

2 nights at Tautiare Village in Maupiti (half-board included)

Travel to Huahine (through Bora Bora, if necessary)

3 nights in Huahine at Pension Fare Maeva [alternatives: Rande's Shack, or Pension Tupuna]

Back to Pape'ete, back to LAX

unsure as i havent been to Tahiti since i was a kid but all sounds ok to me, but what a courageous champion your mother sounds, enjoy!

This is going to be fabulous trip. I wish I could join you.

I wouldn't know which island to skip, maybe Maupiti when you see how small the boat is that takes you over there from Bora Bora. I would not skip Bora Bora nor Moorea which I think is more beauitful. Huahine is so lovely.

Of the pensions you mention I only know Les Tipaniers first hand.
Its advantage: it has some bunglows with more than one bedroom. It is in a beautiful garden and the small beach is lovely. Its day restaurant is right on the water and the evening restaurant is not too expensive and serves good food. It is in walking distance to a supermarket. We had a bungalow right at the beach I was sitting out there all day. :-)
Possible disadvantage:
The beach is used by the public because there is a diving operation and the restaurant. However, it was not crowded at all when we were there. Our bathroom was a bit too smelly for me, probably due to substandard underground pipes.

Have you considered a cruise? You could enjoy the islands and not worry about lodging or food.

Thank you for your comments! ThurstonHowell4th: you are right, she IS a champion. Two autumns ago she went to Turkey, then shortly before that, China. She's ventured to India and Indonesia, and more times than I can remember to Europe. She just loves to travel and truly does not seem to think there is any reason to stop.

Beachdreamer, your cruise idea interested me and I looked into it. I think, all in all, we might enjoy settling into some of these pensions and getting a feel for the islands, but I can certainly see the attraction of not having to move around and worry about food and lodging, so thank you for suggesting it.

I have been tinkering with my itinerary in the meantime, and it now looks like this (in case anyone's interested...) - assuming we can get spaces at these places, of course:

Tahiti - 3 nights at Fare Suisse (I know this is longer than usual for Papeete, but I just have a feeling we're going to find Papeete interesting)

Ferry to Mo'orea

5 nights on Mo'orea - probably at Fare Miti

Possibly skip Bora Bora (jury is still out on that one - NokuHiva2, I'm not simply ignoring your input, it's just that we only have 2 weeks, and I am getting a consistent message that it's much nicer to spend at least 4-5 nights on an island once you get there - and for some reason Moorea and Huahine are the ones I think we might enjoy most) - definitely skipping Maupiti.

Travel to Huahine

5 nights in Huahine - probably at Chez Guynette

Back to Pape'ete; back to LAX

Thanks again for everyone's input. If you think of anything else, I'll be delighted to read it.

Edited by: anastaplo

We stayed at the Novotel Hotel Bora Bora and can recommend it, but it is a hotel and will not have the atmosphere of a smaller pension. We preferred Bora Bora to Moorea - the lagoon is so beautiful with it's many colors. Huahine was also one of our favorites and you will find it to be more laid-backed than the other islands you are considering. We stayed at Rande's Shack, a lovely one bedroom house near the ocean about a 10-15 minute walk to Fare. Rande also has a 2 bedroom house which would fit you needs. He(ex pat American) and his lovely Tahitian wife were excellent hosts and we felt like we were staying at a friend's house. They have complimentary bikes for their guests and even a washing machine with the house.

If hot and humid weather is a consideration I would suggest August as it was quite comfortable without the need for air conditioning. Hope this helps!

I'd do just Tahiti, Moorea and Bora bora. Maybe 3 on Tahiti at the beginning, then 5 on Moorea, 3 on BOB, rest on Tahiti at the end. What can get tiring is the packing up, moving, unpacking etc. so, I'd keep it to three islands.

I've seen hundreds of SP islands. I suggest you do NOT miss Bora Bora! Perhaps the most beautiful island in the SP. But expensive!

hi,
i have been to taaroa lodge in tahiti, and it is indeed a very nice place with a beautiful garden and really helpful owners.
but the beach is not great there, though the view is fantastic.
you can cook your own food, there is an outdoor kitchen, and a supermarkt is close by.
actually i think it is a very good place to stay for an elderly person to unwind a few days. but make a reservation, cause the bungalows are often full!