TA H I T I
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MOOREA
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BORA BORA
FRIDAY, MAY 23 TO THURSDAY, MAY 29 OR TUESDAY, MAY 27 TO MONDAY, JUNE 2
Congratulations
You have achieved Compass Club!
Now that the hard work is done, it’s time to get ready for French Polynesia. In just a few short weeks you will be sitting on the deck of your bungalow relaxing in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, the most beautiful islands on earth. This e-brochure contains important information you need to know, including: ◆
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Compass Club Dates – To provide an authentic Polynesian experience we’re splitting the group into two sets of travel dates. Sample itineraries are included, beginning on page 11 of this e-brochure. Compass Club Registration – The most important first step. In order to start to process your airline ticket, we now need to know if you will attend Compass Club. Passports? Visas? – Everyone needs a passport and some will need a visa to
visit French Polynesia. Most of our European and South and Central American Compass Club members will fly to the U.S. en route to French Polynesia and may therefore need a U.S. visa. ◆
Airline Tickets – This year the airline tickets are being produced by our long time partner, Spellman Travel Partners.
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Travel Information – What’s the weather? What clothes do I bring? Is the Awards Presentation formal? What’s the local currency? You will find answers to these questions and more in this e-brochure.
Please take the time to read the important information in this brochure. We suggest you print a copy and share the information with your spouse or guest.
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Compass Club Dates The islands of French Polynesia simply do not have enough deluxe hotels to accommodate all Compass Club members at the same time. To ensure the best experience, we have divided the world into two “waves” with different arrival and departure dates. Yes, everyone will still be together for the Awards Presentation. Here’s how it will work:
WAVE ONE Europe, APJ*, Latin America and some U.S. Arrive Papeete on Friday, May 23 and depart on Thursday, May 29 *APJ Club Members traveling from Narita will arrive on the morning of May 24.
WAVE TWO Most of U.S. and Canada Arrive Papeete on Tuesday, May 27 and depart on Monday, June 2 Check your congratulatory e-mail, which indicates your dates of travel.
Compass Club Registration To be counted as a member of Compass Club, you must register. Please log on to our Compass Club registration website at: https://www.goldreg.com/compassclub2008 Important: To be counted as a member of Compass Club you must register no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York Time) on Friday, April 25th.
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RAVEL INFORMATION
Airline Tickets and Flight Itineraries
Once you have registered, you will receive an e-mail from Spellman Travel Partners. Who are they? Because of the charter situation with Air Tahiti Nui, it made financial and logistical sense for CA to outsource the airline ticketing for the 2008 Compass Club, and Spellman Travel Partners was selected. While they have not handled the airline ticketing for us before, Spellman Travel Partners are the same people who planned the logistics for the past 11 Compass Clubs. If you wish to speak with one of our airline ticketing agents at Spellman Travel Partners, within the U.S. call (800) 370-5662; from outside the U.S. call +1 (617) 723-2000. When you hear the recorded message, press “1” for the Compass Club Travel Desk.
Approximately 10 days before you depart for Compass Club we will “overnight” your airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation. Depending upon your home city, you may have e-tickets, paper tickets, or both. Important: The name on your airline ticket must be exactly the same as the name on your passport. If you have been married or changed your name since the issuance of your last passport, please provide your new name when you register. During Compass Club you will fly between the islands of Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tahiti. The e-tickets for these flights will not be included with your international airline tickets or e-ticket confirmations. You will receive your boarding passes for these inter-island flights in French Polynesia.
Post Compass Club Travel We know that some Club members will choose to extend their vacation. We want to be as flexible as possible, but please understand that CA must make financial commitments to the airlines. Therefore, we must impose the following rules: If you want to extend your vacation in French Polynesia, you may do so post Compass Club only. As has been our policy, any difference between the cost of your airline tickets to extend your vacation and the cost of the most direct itinerary between your home and Papeete, Tahiti will be your responsibility. In addition, because
CA must pay for the seat on the aircraft being held on official Compass Club dates, anyone wishing to extend their vacation will be required to pay a $100 airline imposed deviation fee for changing the dates of travel, plus any additional airfare. Before choosing to extend your stay in French Polynesia, please consider that Compass Club will show you the best of the best three islands – Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea. You will have time to see, do, and enjoy French Polynesia to the extent that a longer stay may not be necessary. 4
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ASSPORTS AND VISAS
Passport
Everyone will need a valid passport to enter French Polynesia. Citizens of France, technically you only need your identity card, however, you will be traveling through the U.S. to get to Tahiti, so you will need your passport to enter the United States. Citizens of the following countries must travel with a passport that is valid for 3 months after the last day of their stay in French Polynesia: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and United States. In other words, your passport must not expire before the beginning of September, 2008. The exact date depends upon your specific Compass Club dates. Visas are not necessary for a stay of 90 days or less. Citizens of the following countries must travel with a passport that is valid for 6 months because your flight to French Polynesia on Air Tahiti Nui will connect in Los Angeles, U.S.A. and U.S. Immigration requires it: Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, European Union (and European Economic Space) Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and
Uruguay. Assuming that you are not extending your vacation in French Polynesia, this means that your passport must not expire before the beginning of December 2008. Some of you will also require a multi-entry visa for the U.S. See below. Citizens of all other countries not listed above must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after the last day of their stay and they must have a visa. See below.
Visas The following information was correct as of April 2008, but immigration agreements between countries can change. If, after reading below, you have any doubt about the documentation you must have to enter French Polynesia, please contact the nearest French embassy or consulate. European, South American and Central American citizens connecting through the U.S. en route to French Polynesia must have a U.S. visa. Please contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if in doubt about U.S. visa requirements. 5
Visa for French Polynesia Visas are required only for citizens of the following countries, who must also have a passport valid for at least 6 months after their last day of stay in French Polynesia: Bangladesh, Belize, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Georgia, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Assuming that you are not extending your vacation in French Polynesia, this means that your passport must not expire before the beginning of December, 2008. The exact date depends upon your specific Compass Club dates.
December 1, 2008. Note: “Machine readable” means the passport has a magnetic strip which can be read by a computer. If you don’t have a machine readable passport, you will need a multiple-entry visa. The following countries are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. If you have any questions regarding U.S. visas, contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or visit this website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1304.html.
U.S. Visa for Compass Club members connecting in Los Angeles Virtually all Europeans, South and Central Americans, and Canadians will be flying to Los Angeles and connecting to their Air Tahiti Nui flight to Tahiti, then returning to Los Angeles to connect to their flight home. This means that if you are the citizen of a country that needs a visa to visit or transfer through the U.S., you will need a multi-entry visa. Many countries are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, so their citizens do not need a U.S. visa, however, they must have a machine readable passport that is valid for six months past their expected stay (or flight connection) in the United States. Assuming you are not planning to extend your stay in the U.S. after Compass Club, that means your passport must be valid until 6
International Luggage Allowance Luggage allowances differ from country to country. The following is offered as a guideline only. If you think you are in danger of exceeding the size or weight limits, please check with your airline for details. Most international airlines, most of the time… Each passenger is permitted to check one suitcase; total weight not to exceed 20 kg. (44 lb.). The sum of the dimensions (length + height + width) of the bag may not exceed 155 cm. (62 in.). As a practical matter, luggage size and weight should not be of concern. Our French Polynesia Compass Club does not require an extensive wardrobe. Dress for all day and evening events is casual.
45 inches (114 cm). In addition, you are allowed a “personal item” such as a camera case, purse, small backpack, or laptop. Remember to always pack your valuable items – passport, glasses, prescription medicine – in your carry-on bag and not in the suitcases you check with the airlines.
Luggage Allowance on Flights within French Polynesia Each Compass Club member and guest is allowed one suitcase weighing no more than 20 kg. (44 lb.). Because of the size of the aircraft you will be flying between the islands, your carry-on bag is strictly limited to 3.5 kg. (8 lb.). If you wish to bring more than 20 kg. (44 lb.) of clothing, you may do so, but you must store the
Air Tahiti Nui Luggage Allowance The Air Tahiti Nui luggage allowance is greater than you will need, plus it is important to note that you will likely fly on other airlines to connect to your Air Tahiti Nui flight and therefore be subject to your originating airline’s luggage restrictions. But for the record, on all international Air Tahiti Nui flights (except the three flights listed below) passengers are allowed 2 bags at 23 kg. (50 lb.) per bag. Carry-on allowance is 10 kg. (22 lb.). The three exceptions are the Tahiti Nui flights originating in Japan, the Tahiti Nui flight originating in Auckland, and code share flights with Air New Zealand. Passengers originating in Japan are allowed a total of 30 kg. The Tahiti Nui flight originating in Auckland and Air New Zealand code share flights are limited to 20 kg. of checked luggage and 7 kg. of carry-on luggage.
Carry-On Bags Most international airlines allow one carry-on bag weighing no more than 7 kg. (15 lb.). Dimensions of the carry-on bag may not exceed
“overweight” luggage in your hotel in Tahiti before going on to the other islands. If you need to store luggage… If you wish to store luggage in Tahiti while you are visiting Moorea and Bora Bora, when you arrive at your Tahiti hotel, please come to the Hospitality Desk to pick up one “Stored Luggage” tag per suitcase. When you are ready to depart for your first island, simply leave your packed and locked luggage inside your hotel room with one of these “Stored Luggage” tags attached. The porters will collect your luggage and place it in a locked and secured room until you return to the hotel. This is a service the hotel regularly offers to its guests and you can rest assured that your luggage will be safe. 7
Climate The weather will be beautiful. The daytime low in all the islands is the same – about 21°C (70°F) and the daytime high will be 31°C (87°F). The temperature drops only 5-7° or so in the evening. Rainfall for the month of May is 4 inches or 100 mm. Most of the rain comes in brief heavy showers. Humidity is about 75%.
Packing Suggestions French Polynesia is the most casual, relaxed place we have ever held Compass Club. Casual, comfortable, lightweight clothing is appropriate at all times of day and night. In keeping with the spirit of Polynesia the attire for our Compass Club Awards Presentation and Dinner is casual as well – trousers and shirts with collars for men, and sundresses, skirts or pants for women. You should have already read about the luggage allowances, so you understand the importance of packing light and smart. Considering the casual nature of French Polynesia, it should be easy to stay within the 20 kg./44 lb. inter-island luggage allowance. On your packing list should be… ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
lightweight slacks and shorts sundresses three or four lightweight shirts or tee shirts a rain jacket (just in case) comfortable walking shoes sandals swimsuits reef shoes hat sunglasses camera and plenty of film or extra flash cards sunscreen insect repellant (the little foil packs are convenient)
Something new on your packing list this year – reef shoes. What are “reef shoes”? Reef shoes are rubber shoes or sandals you wear while wading and swimming that protect your feet in case you step on something sharp such as a sea urchin, stonefish, or piece of coral. You should be able to buy something that will serve as a reef shoe in most major sporting goods shops. Rubber sandals are acceptable, but they must strap on to your foot so they will not fall off when you’re swimming. For the best protection, the tips of your toes should be covered. Inexpensive flip-flop (thong) sandals are useless. Brands like Teva and Keen waterproof sandals are acceptable. Reef shoes may be purchased in French Polynesia, but we suggest you take care of this task at home. Just so there is no misunderstanding, reef shoes are not a suggestion; they are a must. The unspoiled natural beaches are lovely, but “natural” also means that they remain the way nature left them – sea urchins, stonefish, and all. Stepping on any of these things will cause a great deal of pain and can cause serious infection. 8
Bring only the most essential jewelry. There is little opportunity to wear it during the trip, and jewelry can easily become detached while traveling. You will find hairdryers in the bathrooms of your hotels. Although your hotels will have laundry services, no service is provided on Sunday. You may want to bring along a small container of detergent to hand wash your clothes. All of your hotel rooms are equipped with irons. Dry cleaning is only available on Tahiti, where you’ll be at the beginning and end of your trip. If you are required to take prescription medicine, you should bring enough to last the entire trip. Always pack medicine, passports and valuables in your carry-on bag. Never pack them in the suitcases you check with the airlines. To avoid any possible customs problems both at home and in French Polynesia, keep the medicine in the container you received at the pharmacy/chemist. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring along an extra pair.
Money Matters The unit of exchange is the Pacific French Franc (CFP or XPF in financial markets) which is tied to the Euro. The initials CFP originally stood for “Colonies Françaises du Pacifique” ("French colonies of the Pacific") but now officially stand for “Change Franc Pacifique” ("Pacific Franc Exchange"). Notes are issued in denominations of CFP 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 franc pieces. The following are the approximate exchange rates in selected currencies: 1 Australian Dollar = CFP 70 1 Brazilian Real = CFP 45 1 British Pound = CFP 150 1 CAD Dollar = CFP 74
1 Euro = CFP 120 100 Japanese Yen = CFP 75 1 New Zealand Dollar = CFP 60 1 Swiss Franc = CFP 76 1 U.S. Dollar = CFP 76 Important: A limited number of international currencies can be exchanged in local banks, change bureaus, and hotels for Pacific French Francs. The currencies that are the easiest to exchange are: U.S. Dollars, Euros, Australian Dollars, New Zealand Dollars, Japanese Yen, and to a lesser degree Pounds Sterling and Canadian Dollars. For all other currencies, we suggest you change your currency into one of these before you arrive in French Polynesia. 9
Credit Cards American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted in larger shops and restaurants. Other major cards are accepted, but less common. Please do not assume that smaller restaurants or
shops will accept credit cards. The hotels accept American Express, Diners Club, JBC, Visa and MasterCard.
ATMs, Bancomat, Autobank, DABs Automatic Bank Machines exist in Tahiti, but they are scarce in Moorea and Bora Bora and will not accept all bank cards. You should not
rely on these machines to replenish your cash. If you find one, it will supply you with CFP only. You will not find these machines in the hotels.
Electricity The electrical service in French Polynesia is 220/240 volts, 50 cycles. Outlets are the two round-prong European type. North and South American guests and anyone with 110 volt electronic equipment: If you intend to bring appliances which operate on 110 volts, you will need an adaptor, so your plug will fit into the outlet. You may also need an electrical converter which will reduce the current from 220/240 to 110 volts. Before you purchase a converter, check
the power pack on your equipment or appliance. Most computers, phone chargers, and iPod type units can be used with either 220/240 or 110 currents. If you wish to purchase a converter, we strongly suggest you do so before leaving home. Those of you from Australia, the U.K., North America and other countries not using the standard European two round-prong plug will need adaptors.
Telephone Calls and E-Mail Telephone calls are easy to make from your hotel room, but they are expensive. A one-minute call from Tahiti is about US$10 to the U.S. and Canada and more to Europe and Asia. We have a report of a 20 minute call to Asia which cost US$400. Most European, Asian, Australian, and New Zealand mobile phones will operate in French Polynesia, however, most U.S. and Canadian phones and Blackberries will not. Calling cards and such things as AT&T toll free numbers do
not work. If it is important that you have instant communication, you must make arrangements with your mobile phone service provider. It is possible to rent a mobile phone in Tahiti. Check out this website for details: http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/cell_rental.html. Before you rent a phone, consider that picking up the phone and returning it may not be easy. Be wary of pre-paid calling cards. Virtually all the stories we hear about them are bad. Before you purchase a pre-paid calling card, make absolutely sure it will actually work in French Polynesia.
Internet Most hotel rooms have internet access. It is not high speed or wireless, but it does work. Charges are reasonable. As we mentioned above, Blackberries do not
work in French Polynesia. Most hotels only have one public-access computer available for all guests to use. If accessing e-mail is important to you, you may want to bring your laptop.
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Sample Compass Club
TINERARIES...
WAVE ONE SA M PL E ITI N E RARY
(Europe, APJ, Latin America and some U.S.) The order in which you visit Moorea and Bora Bora may be the reverse of this itinerary. Be assured that the quality of hotel and all of the program components will be comparable, if not identical.
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R I D AY, M AY 2 3 DEPART HOME /ARRIVE TAHITI
Depart for Tahiti. Europeans, South Americans and North Americans will connect through Los Angeles. APJ will connect through Auckland or Tokyo. Arrive at Faa’a Airport in Papeete. Everyone connecting through Los Angeles or Auckland will arrive late at night. Compass Club members connecting through Tokyo will arrive at 04:00 tomorrow morning and fly directly to Moorea. Check into your Tahiti hotel. Welcome food and drinks.
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A T U R D AY, M AY 24 TAHITI /MOOREA
This morning enjoy a swim in the pool or lagoon, then take the short ride to Papeete to board our chartered ferry for the 30 minute ride to the island of Moorea. Check into the hotel. (Note: Some of you will have your over water bungalow experience in Moorea, others in Bora Bora.) Lunch at the 11
resort. Afternoon free to enjoy the resort. Rental cars are available. Get together this evening for a Welcome to French Polynesia party, complete with a superb buffet menu and local entertainment.
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U N D AY, M AY 2 5 MOOREA
After breakfast you are welcomed to explore the island by use of a self-drive rental car. We suggest a trip to Belvedere Lookout to witness the amazing view of Cook’s Bay and Oponohu Bay. In addition, we are offering a boat cruise to Opunohu Bay and then a stop for snorkeling. Lunch and afternoon at leisure. Go for a kayak ride, or board the hotel’s boat for a cruise to a nearby motu, swim in Moorea’s crystal clear water, or simply hang out at the pool or beach. Evening free. You may dine where and when you choose. Our travel staff will assist with suggestions and reservations.
Arrive at Bora Bora’s Motu Mute island airport. Board the hotel’s boat for the 30 minute cruise to the hotel. Check into the resort. Enjoy lunch, compliments of CA. To allow you the most free and private time in Bora Bora, your two nights here are yours to enjoy at your leisure. Have dinner with friends in one of the two resort restaurants or have room service on the deck.
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U E S D AY, M AY 2 7 BORA BORA
After breakfast, the day is yours. Participate in a cruise across the amazing lagoon, snorkel around the resort, and swim with the rays and sharks. Lunch, afternoon and evening free.
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E D N E S D AY, M AY 2 8 BORA BORA /TAHITI
After breakfast, return to the airport for the flight to Tahiti. Arrive and check into your hotel. Afternoon free until… This evening is our annual Compass Club Awards Presentation and Dinner. After dinner enjoy a great Tahitian show. End the evening with a dance under the magnificent starlit South Seas sky.
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H U R S D AY, M AY 29 TAHITI /DEPART FOR HOME
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O N D AY, M AY 26 MOOREA /BORA BORA
After breakfast, leave the hotel for Moorea’s Temae Airport. Sit back and enjoy the 50 minute flight.
Europe, South and Central America, some APJ and U.S. Club members will spend the day in Tahiti. Time for relaxing at the hotel or shopping. CA will offer a complimentary shopping shuttle. Then depart for the airport and your overnight flight. Depending upon your home city, some of you will arrive home on Friday, May 30 and some of you on Saturday, May 31. 12
WAVE TWO SA M PL E ITI N E RARY
(Canada and most of the U.S.) You will travel to Tahiti the day before the Awards Presentation and Dinner, join other Compass Club members for the celebration, then begin your four night visit of Moorea and Bora Bora. The order in which you visit Moorea and Bora Bora may be the reverse of this itinerary. Be assured that the quality of hotel and all of the program components will be comparable, if not identical.
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U E S D AY, M AY 27 DEPART HOME /ARRIVE TAHITI
Depart for Tahiti. Everyone will connect through Los Angeles. Arrive at Faa’a Airport in Papeete late this evening. Check into your Tahiti hotel. Welcome food and drinks.
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E D N E S D AY, M AY 2 8 TAHITI
After breakfast, spend the day in Tahiti. Time for shopping and relaxing at the hotel. CA will offer a complimentary shopping shuttle. Afternoon free until‌ This evening is our annual Compass Club Awards Presentation and Dinner. After dinner enjoy a great Tahitian show. End the evening with a dance under the magnificent starlit South Seas sky.
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H U R S D AY, M AY 2 9 TAHITI /MOOREA
This morning enjoy a swim in the pool or lagoon, then take the short ride to Papeete to board our chartered ferry for the 30 minute ride to the island of Moorea.
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Check into the resort. Enjoy lunch, compliments of CA. Evening free. You may dine where and when you choose. Our travel staff will assist with suggestions and reservations.
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U N D AY, J U N E 1 BORA BORA
Check into the hotel. (Note: Some of you will have your over water bungalow experience in Moorea, others in Bora Bora) Lunch at the resort. Afternoon free to enjoy the resort. Rental cars are available. To allow you the most free and private time in Moorea, your two nights are yours to enjoy at your leisure. Have dinner with friends in one of the two resort restaurants or have room service on the deck.
After breakfast the day is yours. Participate in a cruise across the amazing lagoon, snorkel around the resort, and swim with the rays and sharks. Lunch and afternoon free. Get together this evening for our Farewell to French Polynesia party, complete with a superb buffet menu and local entertainment.
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R I D AY, M AY 30 MOOREA
After breakfast you are welcomed to explore the island by use of a self-drive rental car. We suggest a trip to Belvedere Lookout to witness the amazing view of Cook’s Bay and Oponohu Bay. In addition, we are offering a boat cruise to Opunohu Bay and then a stop for snorkeling. Lunch and afternoon at leisure. Go for a kayak ride, or board the hotel’s boat for a cruise to a nearby motu, swim in Moorea’s crystal clear water, or simply hang out at the pool or beach. Lunch, afternoon and evening free.
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A T U R D AY, M AY 3 1 MOOREA /BORA BORA
After breakfast, leave the hotel for Moorea’s Temae Airport. Sit back and enjoy the 50 minute flight. Arrive at Bora Bora’s Motu Mute island airport. Board the hotel’s boat for the 30 minute cruise to the hotel.
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O N D AY, J U N E 2 BORA BORA/TAHITI/FLIGHT HOME
After breakfast, return to the airport for the flight to Tahiti. Arrive and check into your hotel. Time to relax at the hotel, then depart for the airport and your overnight flight to Los Angeles. You will arrive home on Tuesday, June 3. 14
We want to see you in
French Polynesia... So, please... ◆
Remember to register by Friday, April 25.
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Read the important passport and visa information.
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We’ll be contacting you about your flights. Once you receive your flight itinerary, please confirm it within 24 hours.
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About 10 days before you are scheduled to depart for Compass Club, you will receive your airline tickets or flight confirmations and comprehensive trip booklet. If you have any questions, send an e-mail to CompassClub@ca.com.
Thank you for your attention and we look forward to welcoming you to paradise.
Note: The award pursuant to Compass Club is not considered earned until the day that they are paid. Accordingly, winners must be active CA employees at the time the award is to be eligible to receive the award. CA reserves the right to terminate and/or change the terms and conditions of this contest at any time, for any reason. CA may publish, post or otherwise notify you of any such changes. The interpretation
of the terms and conditions of this contest, including eligibility to participate and eligibility to receive an award pursuant to this contest shall be made by CA, in its sole discretion. Copyright (c) 2008 CA. All rights reserved. CA confidential and proprietary information for CA internal use only. Nounauthorized copying or distribution permitted.
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