Firstly, to see the full details of this unprecedented EFLIGHT, please go to the following link:
http://nicmosis.as.arizona.edu:8000/ECLIPSE_WEB/TSE2010/EFLIGHT2010.html »
Here, the most qualified person in the solar system to plan for this flight has prepared a web site detailing all aspects of the actual flight. Dr. Glenn Schneider, who many of you already know, has been the flight coordinator for this project since inception. He will, of course, be directing the flight from the flight deck of our aircraft. A quick browse of the above site will answer all your basic questions.
Alternative link address to Dr Scheider's site if above does not work >>
PLEASE READ THE REST OF THIS SITE CAREFULLY, AND IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE YOU COMMIT.
Certainly, you simply can not travel to this part of the world just for this flight… (well, perhaps you can, but please don’t). Also, July is HIGH SEASON in Tahiti and rooms and flights are selling quickly.
There are 3 components to this trip.
- Land Only package
- Land and Flight from North America* (R/T LAX to Papeete).
- EFLIGHT
*North America - only applies to those flying from North America: In order for me to secure a reasonable rate on the R/T air from LAX, it MUST be combined with a land package. That is why there is no AIR ONLY DEAL. Do not be confused… AIR refers to LAX-PPT R/T (return). Do NOT confuse AIR with the EFLIGHT. However, you CAN choose to arrive on your own, and buy a Land Only Package. This would be for people arriving for outside the US. THE COMBINED LAND AND AIR PACKAGE IS ONLY AVAILABLE WITH A DEPARTURE FROM LAX.
Tahitian Land Holiday...
French Polynesia is a far off land located in the middle of the South Pacific. It consists of many, many islands. The ones of importance to us are the island of Tahiti, and the island of Moorea, as that is what the land portion will include.
Tahiti is the main island, and is where the French Polynesian capital of Papeete is located. Moorea lies about 10 miles to the NW of Tahiti. Bora Bora, for those interested as a possible add-on land option, is located a few hundred miles to the NW.
Before describing our vacation in Paradise, I must say the following. I have always been up front factually about every trip I have ever done, and I believe that I have fairly evaluated and described every tour to date. This eclipse trip is NUMBER 11 in the making. As you assess your interest, I need to be totally fair in mentioning the following…
Tahiti is VERY EXPENSIVE. This trip is the most expensive trip I have ever formed. I say this not to discourage you, but to alert you to the fact. I would feel terrible to have you arrive there to find that you simply could not enjoy yourself. Approximate costs will be stated below, but understand that if you do go, you MUST FLY ON THE EFLIGHT in order to see the total eclipse, as on the island of Tahiti, where the departure of the EFLIGHT will be, the eclipse is only 99% visible. More on that below… but to participate in the ENTIRE package, with 2 people on the EFLIGHT sharing a window, and the land/air package PLUS ADDITIONAL costs for additional excursions that you would want to experience, meals, travel insurance, and incidentals probably will exceed $12,000 pp PLUS the cost to get to LAX. This can be lowered by passing up the many local excursions available, which I would not advise. Of course, a family may choose to have only 1 person travel on the EFLIGHT, while the others stay behind to view the eclipse from Tahiti as part of a hotel tour to the best spot on the island, where a 99.2% eclipse will occur.
The Land Package will include 3 nights in Tahiti, and 4 nights in Moorea. We will stay at the INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL in both places. (Click on names or pictures to learn more.)
These two hotels are, in a word, SPECTACULAR, as the web sites will convey, and yes, EVERYTHING is as beautiful as it looks in photos.
Along with the hotel stays, included items are all transfers, daily FULL BREAKFAST BUFFET, Ferry crossings to Moorea, and taxes and tips for luggage. I am trying to get a few surprises included as well…
COST for land package only, without air is $1535 (all prices are presented in US dollars) per person DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. Single Supplement on the Land Portion is $800.00 - We will TRY to pair people up, as requested.
All rooms at the InterContinental Hotel in Tahiti will be beautiful rooms. Upgrades ARE available at this time, but are really not necessary.
All rooms at the InterContinental Hotel in Moorea are Garden Lanai Rooms. Now, for the 4 night stay in Moorea, you can UPGRADE if you choose, to a GARDEN BUNGALOW, or to a BEACH BUNGALOW. Pricing on request.
COST for add-on round-trip flight from LAX is aprox. $1700.00 PP R/T LAX/Papeete. I will update this as I am made aware of the final cost.
Breakfast is included daily at the resorts.
Finally, the cost for the EFLIGHT… as as detailed on Dr. Schneiders web site »…. $9000 for ONE PERSON HAVING A SINGLE ECLIPSE-VIEWING WINDOW on the left side of the aircraft all to him/her self with economy class seating on the right side of the aircraft.
OR… EFLIGHT $6500 per person if you choose to share an eclipse-viewing window with another person (economy class seating).
There are a limited number of eclipse-side windows that will be available for SHARING at $6500pp. It is preferred that you share with your own partner that you would bring along, but we will attempt to pair singles up as requested. There are explicit details to such an arrangement that will be discussed individually.
The EFLIGHT will last for about 7 hours. There are a few Biz Class seating upgrades available, first come first served. The Upgrade to a BIZ CLASS seat is $500.00pp...not bad for a 7 hr flight.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Anyone interested in joining us has some time in deciding about the air and/or land package, but you must let me know if you have interest in the EFLIGHT ASAP. Once the seats are gone, they are G O N E.
NOTE… There are only 41 seats available on the flight. Some are already sold, act now if you are interested.
On Board Experts - Of course, eclipse expert Dr. Glenn Schneider will be on board the flight directing from the flight deck, and Rick Brown will be in the cabin to assist everyone. We are very proud to announce that there will be an additional expert on the flight that we think everyone will be delighted to meet, Dr. Fred Espenak. This is a most exciting development, and we are very lucky to have him aboard with us sharing this awesome event.
AND NOW…. THE SCHEDULE…..
Thursday, July 8th… Air Tahiti Nui flight 001 departs LAX 13:00 (1pm) and flies nonstop to PPT. It will arrive at 18:20 (6:20pm). LOCAL TAHITI TIME IS 3 HOURS BEHIND PDT (UT-10). This 1pm departure from LAX is easily made from NY with an early morning departure on Thursday.
After clearing customs, and getting our bags, a private transfer for our group will be greeting us at the airport with welcoming flowers, and assist us to the hotel, which is less than a 10 minute ride from the Faaa Intl Airport. Visitors from most countries need only a valid passport with six months validity remaining. NO VISA IS REQUIRED, see fast facts below for more information.
After hotel arrival, settle in, and relax, relax, relax.
Friday, and Saturday, at your leisure with suggestions later on.
Sunday, JULY 11th, 2010… ECLIPSE/EFLIGHT day!!!!! Those going on EFLIGHT (that sounds so cool) will be picked up by our private transport at about 5AM, and taken to the airport (click here for the EFLIGHT schedule »). IF THE HOTEL ROOM IS BEING VACATED, YOU MUST CHECK OUT, AS WE WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO THE HOTEL AFTER THE EFLIGHT. LUGGAGE WILL BE STORED AT THE AIRPORT. PEOPLE LEFT AT THE HOTEL WILL CHECK OUT BY NOON, AFTER BREAKFAST, AND WE WILL ALL MEET AGAIN AT THE FERRY BOAT IN THE AFTERNOON, WHERE THE HOTEL PEOPLE, AND THE EFLIGHT PEOPLE WILL BOARD OUR 40 MINUTE RIDE TO MOOREA. Those at the hotel MAY wish to take advantage of the excursion to the east side of the island TO SEE THE PARTIAL ECLIPSE. I CAN NOT CONFIRM THAT THE ECLIPSED SUN WILL BE VISIBLE FROM THE HOTEL, AS THE SUN IS RISING IN THE MOUNTAINS BEHIND THE HOTEL, SO YOU MAY NEED TO LEAVE THE HOTEL TO SEE THE ECLIPSED SUN.
The ferry arrives at 4pm, and we arrive at the Intercontinental Moorea at about 5:15pm.
Monday, July 12th- Wed, July 14th…. All free days… more on activities later, but you can get an idea by just looking at the hotel web site.
Thursday, July 15th… Late check out for all, transport to the ferry for a 4:45pm departure and arrive back to PPT at 5:15pm, the our arranged transport will take us back to Faaa Intl Airport for our departing Air Tahiti Nui flight 002, departing at 10:00pm and arriving to LAX at 09:15am on FRIDAY, JULY 16th.
“Nana” (goodbye in Tahitian). We are done.
Fast facts for your information…
Entry requirements - Passport required. No visa is necessary for most countries of origin. (click for more details »)
The electricity is 220VAC 60Hz, very stable, 2 prong round adaptor needed. 120v in the bathroom for low amperage items… camera, shaver, etc.
Local money is the French Polynesian Franc… now about 83 to 1 US$. It floats with the Euro. You WILL need to exchange some money while in Tahiti. More later.
Some of your basic prices at the hotel, and outside the hotel in the local markets…
- INTERNET IS ABOUT $50/DAY (YOU READ CORRECTLY)
- Lunch in hotel about $25.
- Lunch outside the hotel $15.
- Dinner at the hotel, which MAY have a show included, ranges from $100.00 to $150.00 per person.
- Tap water is safe to drink, but it is not cold, and does have a funny taste that you may not like. I ALWAYS stick to bottled water when I travel.
- Cigarettes in hotel about $12, outside about $9.
- CAN of Coca Cola in Hotel about $5. Outside hotel about $3.
- Small water in hotel about $4. Outside about $1.50
- Typical cocktail at the Hotel Bar $14.00
- There are Mini Fridges in all the rooms, so you can pick up things at the market if you like.
- Bread is INEXPENSIVE outside the hotel, and is wonderful.
- Things are expensive because for the most part, they are flown in, or shipped in, and the FRENCH levy VERY HIGH TAXES in Tahiti, as well.
- There are NO heath requirements for travel to French Polynesia. No shots, no malaria pills.
- Climate expectations.... EXCELLENT, PERFECT, WONDERFUL in July... daytime highs in the 80'sF.(low 30'sC), and nighttime lows about 65ish F. (low 20'sC). Very low humidity, no insect concern, and gentle breezes all the time. Paradise!!!!
Again… I mention these things not to scare you, but to prepare you for the sticker shock of your lives. Hey, ya only go around the world once, right???
EVERYONE speaks FRENCH
Most also speak Tahitian.
Lots speak English… almost “most”.
Please join us for this historic event. Who knows… we may just end up in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Email (kidinvs@aol.com) any questions
All the best,
Rick Brown
Last Update: 23-March-2010 02:59UT