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K-State Alumni Association Taandhiti French Polynesia under Sail Tahiti ◆ Mo’orea ◆ Taha’a Ra’iatea ◆ Bora Bora ◆ Huahine aboard the Exclusively Chartered, Five-Star, Small Sailing Ship Wind Spirit January 28 to February 7, 2020 Luxury Small Sailing Ship—Only 74 Staterooms u All Ocean-View Accommodations u Round-Trip Air From Los Angeles is Included u All Beverages are Included u All Shipboard Gratuities are Included Dear K-State Alumni & Friends: Tahiti and the other idyllic islands of French Polynesia were formed over millennia; ancient underwater volcanic activity, ocean currents, waves and wind created the emerald-green mountain peaks, chalk-white atolls and beryl-blue lagoons of this South Pacific paradise. There is no better way to experience the Society Islands than under the billowing white sails of an elegant yacht. During this nine-night land and sea sojourn, explore these resplendent islands, which have beckoned explorers, travelers, artists and writers for centuries. Enjoy two nights (air schedules permitting) in colorful Pape’ete, Tahiti, and seven nights sailing aboard the Five-Star Wind Spirit, specifically designed to cruise the crystal-clear aquamarine waters of the South Pacific, which teem with incredible marine life. Aboard the Five-Star, 74-Stateroom Wind Spirit, enjoy unmatched small ship sailing amid the unparalleled beauty of the Society Islands, the Wind Spirit’s home waters. This intimate ship provides extensive complimentary features, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages served throughout the ship and replenished in your Suite or Stateroom, kayaking and snorkeling equipment and an exclusively arranged excursion on every island; shipboard gratuities are included. Cultural enrichment abounds in the captivating natural environment of French Polynesia. On the islands of Tahiti, Mo’orea, Ra’iatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora and Huahine, visit ancient marae (open-air places of worship), tour an authentic vanilla plantation and learn more about French Polynesia’s unique history, environment and culture. While enjoying the exquisite scenery, snorkel or swim with stingrays, lagoon sharks and colorful fish and inhale the essences of fragrant gardenia and gentle jasmine that delicately permeate the island air. Join us on this voyage through paradise amid the unspoiled, tropical islands of the South Pacific. Round-trip air is included from Los Angeles‡ and Low Air Add-Ons‡ are available from select U.S. cities. This exceptional program sells out quickly, so book now while space and Early Booking Savings are still available! Sincerely, Terin Walters ’05 Assistant Vice President of Development and Communications K-State Alumni Association ‡Included economy-class air from Los Angeles and Low Air Add-Ons may be offered only until September 20, 2019, have limited availability, are not guaranteed and are non-refundable once purchased. P a ci fi c Oc ean Take in the signature views of Mt. Otemanu and Mt. Pahia, Bora Bora’s trademark conical peaks which soar 2300 feet above forested foothills, ancient cave formations and archaeological relics. U.S./Pape’ete, Tahiti Mo’orea Tuesday and Wednesday, Friday, January 31 January 28 and 29 The heart-shaped island of Mo’orea Depart the U.S. for lively Pape’ete, captivated Captain James Cook and the cosmopolitan capital of French Polynesia, Herman Melville and inspired located on a natural harbor cooled by trade James Michener’s classic Tales of the winds and set against a backdrop of verdant, South Pacific. Enjoy a drive through a forest-clad peaks. This breathtaking gateway spectacular landscape of ancient volcanic to the South Pacific is complemented by peaks and stop at Belvedere Point for the cultures of its people, a vibrant blend of Tahitian, French and Chinese. AIR is Included Upon arrival, check into the ideally ‡ from Los Angeles! located, Five-Star InterContinental Low Air Add-Ons are available Pape’ete; enjoy time at leisure and attend from select cities. ‡ the Welcome Reception on Wednesday. Economy-class air is included round-trip between Los Angeles and Pape’ete, available exclusively through Pape’ete Gohagan & Company in partnership with award-winning Air Tahiti Nui; Gohagan & Company and the sponsoring Thursday, January 30 association/organization have no control over availability. Tour Tahiti’s scenic West Coast and visit the fern-veiled Mara’a Grotto with its freshwater an unforgettable view of the impressive pools and small caves. Walk through the Mount Rotu’i and the sparkling waters of sacred ’Ārahurahu site—French Polynesia’s Cook and ’Opunohu Bays. only fully restored marae—and the Impressive temples evoke Mo’orea’s beautifully landscaped Spring Garden French Polynesian heritage, while European of Vaipahi, which showcases 75 plant species, churches underscore its role as a center for including precious māpē (Tahitian chestnut). 19th-century missionary activity. Embark the Wind Spirit and attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening. Cover photo: Experience the natural beauty surrounding you in Bora Bora, with majestic, lush peaks and hidden blue lagoons. Photo this page: Explore colorful coral reefs and look for myriad exotic marine life, such as graceful double‑saddle butterflyfish. Bora Bora UNESCO World Heritage Site Cruise Itinerary Ta h a’a Soc iety Is Air Routing lands ASIA NORTH Pacific OceanAMERICA R a’iatea equator Huahine SOUTH P AUSTRALIA a AMERICA ci fi c French Polynesia Oc Mo’orea ean Pape’ete Contemporary islanders continue TAHITI the traditions of their forefathers, Gather on farming pineapples and papayas and deck for a crafting fine art from seashells and barbecue dinner indigenous wood. Learn more about the under the “ash-blue interplay between the culture and the sky alive with stars,” as Impressionist ecosystem at the Richard B. Gump Pacific Henri Matisse described the Tahitian night. Research Station and Atitia Outreach Center. Later, on board the ship, hear an enriching Ra’iatea/Taha’a lecture by naturalist Frank Murphy from the Sunday, February 2 Gump Research Station. Enjoy the afternoon Taha’a is dominated by the profile of at leisure with snorkeling opportunities in Mount Ohiri, named for Hiro, Polynesian god Mo’orea’s turquoise lagoons. of sailors and thieves. Continued harvesting of the world’s most flavorful vanilla beans and Ra’iatea the region’s distinctive black pearl oysters Saturday, February 1 provides the islanders’ livelihoods. Gain a In the pre-colonial era, Ra’iatea served deeper understanding of traditional as the political and spiritual heart of French Polynesian agriculture as you tour the Society Islands and was beloved by the fragrant grounds of a vanilla plantation, Captain Cook, who called here on each of his followed by a visit to a farm where lustrous three voyages. It was the launchpad for the black pearls are meticulously cultivated colonization of Hawai’i, the Marquesas and underwater. Savor a specially arranged beach New Zealand, and according to local legend, barbecue lunch on a private (islet), the birthplace of ’Oro, god of war and fertility. motu where you can also swim, snorkel or kayak. Visit French Polynesia’s only UNESCO World Heritage site, the well-preserved Bora Bora marae complex of Taputapuātea Monday and Tuesday, (offering from afar), comprised of a cultural February 3 and 4 landscape and a natural seascape, with the Bora Bora is the proverbial vision of paradise main set of marae—constructed of coral and with black basalt peaks cloaked in a thick black volcanic rock—representing where the tropical forest and silhouetted against sparkling living world intersects the ancestral world. turquoise waters. Alongside glittering Fa’anui Bay, Aboard a motor-powered outrigger canoe, see the ceremonial site of the Fare Opu marae, cruise upstream along the serene Fa’aroa River, adorned with petroglyphs of turtles, a sacred the only navigable river in French Polynesia, creature in French Polynesia, and look for as it threads through a realm of māpē, nearly imperceptible bunkers constructed by pūrau (wild hibiscus) and ’ohe (bamboo). American soldiers during World War II. Visit the glittering ring of tiny motu with white sand beaches surrounding the seldom‑visited island of Taha’a, the quintessence of idyll and serenity awash with the soothing aroma of vanilla wafting from secluded plantations. Indulge in the immaculate beaches, turquoise lagoons and abundant greenery gracing the Society Islands. The islanders of Bora Bora often wear In Maeva, see over 10 marae—built in the the traditional and colorful hand-dyed pareo. 16th century of locally quarried stone—as In the island’s forested interior, villagers well as former homes and fortification walls. cultivate breadfruit, coconuts and taro Enjoy the breathtaking vista of gleaming (an endemic root vegetable); preserve the Maro’e Bay and lofty Mount Turi en route to ancient ruins of stone marae; and show the picturesque village of Fare to see blue-eyed reverence for ancestral Polynesian deities. river eels, considered sacred by locals. Observe the art of dyeing pareo and enjoy a After an afternoon at leisure, attend the taste of the island’s local fruits. Captain’s Farewell Reception. From a lookout point, admire Bora Bora’s highest peak, Mount Otemanu, a natural Pape’ete, Tahiti beacon over the “Pearl of the Pacific”; then Thursday, February 6 enjoy time at leisure to explore the island. Disembark the ship and explore Tahiti’s An optional excursion cruises the East Coast with a visit to the former home island’s iridescent lagoon to encounter of American author James Norman Hall, graceful stingrays and a coral garden where best known for Mutiny on the Bounty, and parrotfish, butterflyfish and triggerfish flourish. see Point Venus, named for the observatory Dinner Monday night will be an authentic Captain Cook established here in 1769. French Polynesian feast held on a private motu. Day-room accommodations are available in the InterContinental Pape’ete. Continue on Huahine to the Mo’orea Post-Program Option or transfer Wednesday, February 5 to the airport for your return flight home.