2023 Auction Lots

 Ten (10) night romantic Tahitian escape, including sailing along the Leeward Islands for one (1) couple

One (1) sculpture from Cocoon Gallery, hand-carved and bleached root system from a single structure

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Tahiti for one (1) couple
Highest Class Airfare from Papeete to Raiatea and from the Leeward Islands to Tetiaroa
VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance
Roundtrip, airport transfers and private ground transportation to all stated activities

Auae Papeete, French Polynesia:
One (1) night’s accommodation in a Premier Ocean View Room at Hilton Hotel Tahiti for one (1) couple

Leeward Islands, French Polynesia:
Four (4) nights’ accommodations sailing the Leeward Islands aboard the 75-foot M/Y Miss Kulani luxury yacht
Miss Kulani features four (4) staterooms with a Master Suite, with a crew of two (2) onboard, including a chef
Cruise on the Faaroa River and Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Safari excursion on a 4WD vehicle to visit a pearl farm, vanilla plantation and rum factory with lunch
Tour and snorkeling in the Bora Bora lagoon, followed by a visit to the preserved coral gardens
Use of waterskies, wakeboard, snorkel gear, 14’ semi-rigid jet boat and fishing gear
All meals and provisioned alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages onboard included and prepared by a private chef
All fuel and port fees

Tetiaroa Private Island, French Polynesia:
Five (5) nights’ luxury accommodations in a One Bedroom Beachfront Villa at The Brando for one (1) couple
One (1) excursion per day, to include options such as a kayak adventure, exploration of Rimatuu, bird tours and more
One (1) 50-minute massage per person per day or one (1) couple’s massage per day
All meals, non-alcoholic and most alcoholic beverages included in the dining venues
Access to a fitness center, tennis court, beach equipment and bicycles

All your life, you’ve been daydreaming about escaping to paradise. This is your chance: a ten-day odyssey across the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia, exploring the hidden coves, lagoons and archaeological sites you’ve been visiting in your fantasies.

After your Business Class flight from the U.S. to Tahiti, you’ll be transported to the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, where you’ll relax in a Premier Ocean View Room. The next morning, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your short flight to Raiatea, where you will board M/Y Miss Kulani to begin sailing the crystal-clear waters of the Leeward Islands.

You’ll embark on Miss Kulani to explore sacred islands such as Raiatea and Taha’a. Miss Kulani‘s interior layout sleeps up to eight guests in four air-conditioned rooms, including a Master Suite, one VIP Stateroom and two Twin Cabins. Above and below deck, the Miss Kulani is designed to cater to your every whim, from the state-of-the-art entertainment system to the casual luxury of savoring a cocktail at the bar.

Your exploration of the Leeward Islands begins with a cruise along the Faaroa River, a peaceful natural waterway located on the east coast of Raiatea. During the cruise you’ll have a stopover on Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After an introduction to Polynesian history and civilization, your guide will take you to an islet for some refreshments and a swim in the lagoon.

The following day, you’ll climb aboard a 4WD to go through the wilderness and nature of untouched Taha’a, also known as the Vanilla Island. You will be introduced to pearl farming as you visit one of the few pearl farms of the Society Islands. Visits to a rum distillery and a vanilla plantation will follow.

Next, you’ll explore the magical island of Bora Bora, where you’ll place your feet in the shallow, crystal clear waters of the lagoon and meet the majestic stingrays. These beautiful creatures, curious and very tactile, will swim by your side, which will allow you to really be in touch with them and live a special moment in their natural environment.

It’s time to disembark Miss Kulani and fly to Tahiti, followed by a short private flight to Tetiaroa, where you’ll check into The Brando.

The Brando is the ultimate private island resort located on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful atoll of Tetiaroa, which spans a spectacular three-mile-wide lagoon surrounded by small islands (motus) that are exclusive to resort guests and visiting researchers. Your One Bedroom Beachfront Villa will feature a private oceanfront pool, expansive outdoor decks and secluded white sand beach.

There is an abundance of activities to engage in on the island. The resort offers three restaurants showcasing Polynesian-inspired dishes, East/West fusion, classic French cuisine and Japanese specialties. The Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa is the one-of-a-kind spa at the heart of the motu where you each will receive a 50-minute massage daily. Those who want to be active can snorkel in the coral gardens and in the lagoon, or scuba dive outside the reef. Guests can enjoy tennis, bicycling and deep-sea fishing. Explore the lagoon by kayak, Polynesian canoe or stand-up paddle or tour the atoll with a naturalist guide aboard a comfortable covered boat.

As you fly back home, the sights, sounds and smells of French Polynesia will be vivid in your mind. To preserve them in your memory, you’ll receive a sculpture from the Cocoon Gallery in Naples, the country’s preeminent creator of modern organic furniture sourced from the earth. Discovered in Southeast Asia, the bleached, hand-carved work of art is a natural root system that was refined in Cocoon’s woodshop in Naples, and this artwork will serve as a reminder of the natural wonders of the Leeward Islands.

Bid high to enjoy this once-in-lifetime trip full of romance and relaxation and know that you are helping the children of Collier County at the same time!

Insider's Info

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Tahiti and Highest Class Domestic Airfare from Papeete to Raiatea and from the Leeward Islands to Tetiaroa is included. The international flight time from the U.S. to Tahiti is approximately 15-17 hours with one layover. VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance is included on the international flights but not available on the domestic flights within the French Polynesia Islands. Roundtrip, airport transfers and ground transportation to all stated activities is included. Breakfast is included at Hilton Hotel Tahiti. All meals, non-alcoholic and most alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and spirits, are included both on the M/Y Miss Kulani and at The Brando. Premium wines, French Champagnes and spirits are available at an additional cost to the winning bidders. The winning bidders will provide a list of provisional items for M/Y Miss Kulani at least 2 weeks prior to their departure. Included APA for expenses on M/Y Miss Kulani is $13,500. Any amount over $13,500 is the responsibility of the winning bidders. Premium meal items are available at The Brando and are the responsibility of the winning bidder. A surcharge of €80 may apply for in-villa dining from the hours of 10pm-6am and is the responsibility of the winning bidders. Gratuities are not included for any portion of the trip and are the responsibility of the winning bidders. Trip to be scheduled for mutually agreeable dates, based on availability and subject to blackout dates to include, but not limited to, December 20, 2023-January 6, 2024. The Cocoon Gallery sculpture is 113” H x 23” W x 18” D.

Donor

Cocoon Gallery

with special thanks to Martha Good Luxury Travel

Airfare donated by Carol & Harry Rose