Windstar’s Chris Prelog Shares 6 Causes Why French Polynesia is His Favourite Place within the World
Spend 30 seconds with Chris Prelog, the gregarious president of Windstar Cruises, and also you’ll really feel his enthusiasm about French Polynesia. It’s, he tells me with unabashed frankness, his favourite a part of the world.
Positive, the area’s completely astonishing bodily magnificence qualifies it as a favourite vacation spot for a lot of vacationers. For Prelog, although, it goes past that.
“The primary time you come for the wonder, the second time for the individuals,” he says. “From that first go to you begin discovering you’re concerned in, not simply tradition but additionally their lives. That’s a pure transition in Tahiti. … What struck me early in my profession was how simple and unpretentious it’s, and the way a lot individuals love you. It planted a root in me there.”
It was a root that caught. In our Attending to Know You profile on Chris, he remembers his first cruise contract, how tough it was for him, and the way it was a name at Bora Bora that gave him the power to maintain going.
As Windstar continues to broaden its footprint in French Polynesia, with Star Breeze crusing year-round and itineraries that embrace the Society Islands of Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahiti, together with itineraries that incorporate the Prepare dinner Islands, the Tuamotos, Tonga and the Marquesas, and Wind Star becoming a member of it there in 2027, we thought Chris could be the right particular person to provide us recommendation on his favourite haunts.
“Everybody likes Bora Bora, which is the princess of French Polynesia. And but I’m all the time on the lookout for the underdog. I like Huahine as a result of it gives forests, seashores, tradition, the individuals, there’s quite a lot of specialness, which is partly resulting from its being somewhat bit extra off the radar which makes it extra tranquil and peaceable. It’s a hidden secret in that there’s all the time the chance for discovery, from jet-skiing to a mountainous ATV (all-terrain automobile), there’s extra to it than a beachy island.
Listed below are Chris’ favourite experiences in French Polynesia. And when you’re already a fan of Tahiti and French Polynesia, please share your suggestions and discoveries in our feedback, beneath.
Arriving in French Polynesia
After an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco, my spouse, Silke, and I like to plan for a pre- (and infrequently post-) cruise keep at Tahiti’s Intercontinental. As a cruise govt whose profession is all about hospitality, I really like the way in which they greet all of their visitors (with a tremendous pineapple drink) and the way in which that the foyer opens up over the resort and an impressive view of craggy Moorea throughout the ocean. It units a tone for the journey.
Additionally an absolute spotlight of arriving: being greeted at Tahiti’s airport by Fifi, my favourite driver on the planet, who awaits me with an enormous smile and an excellent larger hug.
Greater than pearls in Taha’a
Taha’a to me is all the time a particular place. I really feel closest to paradise there as a result of it’s simply image good. I like to go to the other a part of the little motu and benefit from the views in full peace (and in addition to snap some unimaginable footage with a palm tree framing the Star Legend).
What to eat within the islands
My favourite dish in Tahiti is Poisson Cru, which is offered in nearly each restaurant, and I’ll eat it most likely thrice a day as a result of I actually just like the composition of it, the freshness, coconut and vanilla with it. Even after I arrive, often drained and jet-lagged on my first day, I’ll order it from room service
Onboard Star Breeze, an absolute spotlight is the sail away ritual
I all the time go as much as Deck 8 as a result of you may have the largest, actually 360-degree view. I like to expertise it with our visitors. I’m actually keen on listening to about their impressions from totally different voices and views. I’m by no means hiding throughout sail away!
On Huahine, the other of a seaside day
On Huahine Iti, I really like the ATV tour as a result of it takes you thru the agricultural space of this most inexperienced of islands. You expertise its tradition as you trip by villages with the wind in your hair (and essentially the most stunning and aromatic scents). And you’ll have some seaside time — there’s a swim cease the place it’s also possible to simply stroll alongside the white sand.
I believed I knew lots about French Polynesia — after which I found the Marquesas!
On a current voyage on Star Breeze, we traveled to the Marquesas Islands, among the many most unique locations in what already is an extremely distant a part of the world. The locals had been so welcoming, the vistas — of so many craggy peaks and forests — and particularly its cultural celebrations, together with tribal dances. And don’t miss the silky black sands of the seaside that’s a part of the city of Atuona, on Hika Ova.
Do you may have favourite locations in French Polynesia? Have you ever returned repeatedly? Inform us extra about your experiences within the feedback beneath.
