We're actually going on a "mini-moon" the day after the wedding -- it's a safari! That's right, there's a safari right here in the Bay Area called <a href="http://www.safariwest.com">Safari West</a>! We're staying overnight in a luxury tent and will participate in a safari vehicle tour and indulge in a couples massage (we'll need it after the craziness of wedding planning!)

Then, after giving ourselves a few months to settle into married life and taking a breather from the the hectic pace our lives have taken from planning the wedding, we're off to the French Polynesian islands! We wanted to go somewhere exotic and far-flung yet be able to combine something cultural with something relaxing and adventurous (p.s. - we're going to swim with sharks & stingrays).

We will be visiting three islands in French Polynesia: Papeete, Tahiti (which is the gateway to French Polynesia); Huahine and finally, Bora-Bora. It is only an 8 hour non-stop flight from L.A to Papeete! We're spending two nights in Tahiti then flying to Huahine for a four night stay in an overwater lagoon bungalow. And, we're saving the best for last: a five night stay in a Diamond Overwater Villa in Bora-Bora!

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from Tahiti Tourism North America:
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the archipelago. Papeete, meaning the " water basket, " was once a gathering place where Tahitians came to fill their calabashes with fresh waters. Now the invigorating capital city and gateway of the country, boasts world-class resorts, spas, fine dining and unique restaurants, nightclubs, vibrant markets, pearl shops, and boutiques.

Huahine
About thirty minutes by plane from the island of Tahiti lies Huahine, also called the "Garden of Eden" with its lush forests, untamed landscape, and quaint villages. It is one of Polynesia's best-kept secrets.

A deep, crystal-clear lagoon surrounds the two islands while magnificent bays and white-sand beaches add drama and solitude to their virtues. Relatively unchanged by the modern world, Huahine offer a slower taste of old Polynesia. With only eight small villages scattered across the island, the few residents welcome visitors with great kindness. Not surprisingly, this fertile world offers rich soil providing the local farmers a bountiful harvest of vanilla, melons, and bananas.

Bora-Bora
Called "The Most Beautiful Island in the World," Bora Bora graciously lives up to its title. Most visitors first see Bora Bora from the air and it's like something out of a dream: crystal-clear shades of blue water lagoon surrounding a ring of reef inlets known as motus. In the centre of the ring rises the lush towering peaks of Mt. Otemanu and Mt. Pahia.

This island is also one of the most luxurious and romantic spots in the world! Perfect white-sand beaches give way to emerald waters where colored fish animate the coral gardens as they greet the giant manta rays. This could be easily be described as the center of the romantic universe, where luxury resorts and spas dot the island with overwater bungalows, thatchedroof villas, and fabled ambience.