French Polynesia Island-Hopping Guide – Bora Bora & Moorea Romance

French Polynesia Island-Hopping Guide: Bora Bora, Moorea & the Ultimate South Pacific Escape

French Polynesia sits in the South Pacific roughly 4,000 kilometers south of Hawaii and about 6,000 kilometers from the western coast of the United States. For travelers from the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, and across Europe, it represents one of those rare destinations that genuinely matches its reputation. Bora Bora and Moorea are the two islands that most visitors anchor their French Polynesia honeymoon guide around, and for very good reason. Both islands deliver extraordinary lagoon scenery, volcanic mountain drama, and an atmosphere of peaceful seclusion that overworked travelers from London, New York, Berlin, or Sydney find genuinely restorative. But these two islands are not interchangeable, and understanding their differences transforms a good trip into an exceptional one.
Bora Bora carries the greater global reputation and the higher price tag to match. Its turquoise lagoon, surrounded by a coral reef and dominated by the twin peaks of Mount Otemanu, appears in more honeymoon brochures than perhaps any other single landscape on earth. That reputation is earned but it also comes with crowds, commercial development, and costs that shock even well-traveled visitors. Moorea, sitting just 17 kilometers west of Tahiti, offers something considerably more grounded. Its jagged mountain ridges, deep bays, and relatively intact local community create an experience that feels more authentically Polynesian and far less like a luxury resort bubble. Together, these two islands create a French Polynesia experience that balances genuine luxury with genuine nature, and romantic seclusion with cultural substance.
This guide targets couples planning honeymoons or romantic trips, anniversary travelers, and adventurous pairs from the USA, Europe, and Australia who want more than a beach holiday. It covers the best island-hopping routes in French Polynesia, honest comparisons between Bora Bora and Moorea for different traveler personalities, practical itinerary planning across 7 to 10 days, budget realities with euro and dollar breakdowns, and the nearby islands of Tahiti and Rangiroa for travelers wanting to extend beyond the classic two-island combination. The guide also addresses the food scene, activity planning, accommodation realities, and the honest question of whether French Polynesia justifies its extraordinary cost for couples who have also considered alternatives like the Maldives, Seychelles, or even closer Pacific options.
French Polynesia is not a budget destination and pretending otherwise would waste your planning time. However, understanding where costs are unavoidable and where smart choices save significant money makes the difference between a trip that financially damages a couple for years and one that represents exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime value. This guide approaches that financial reality with complete honesty because romantic destinations deserve honest analysis just as much as any other travel category.
Why Visit French Polynesia: The combination of nature, luxury, and peaceful seclusion that Bora Bora and Moorea together provide exists nowhere else on earth in quite the same configuration. The lagoon colors, the mountain silhouettes, the underwater life, and the particular quality of Polynesian hospitality create an experience that remains genuinely distinct from any competing destination.

Why These Two Islands Define French Polynesia’s Romance Identity

The Geography That Makes Everything Possible

French Polynesia encompasses 118 islands spread across an ocean area roughly the size of western Europe. But Bora Bora and Moorea sit within the Society Islands group, close enough to Tahiti’s international airport to make island-hopping genuinely practical rather than aspirational. Moorea is a 30-minute ferry ride from Papeete or a 7-minute flight. Bora Bora requires a 50-minute flight from Tahiti. This geographic accessibility relative to the broader Pacific context makes the Bora Bora and Moorea combination the most practical entry point into French Polynesia’s extraordinary archipelago. Both islands formed through volcanic activity millions of years ago, and their jagged interior mountains surrounded by shallow coral lagoons create the dramatic land-meets-sea contrasts that make aerial photographs look almost digitally enhanced.

Cultural Identity and Polynesian Heritage

French Polynesia carries a dual identity that travelers notice immediately upon arrival. The French administrative and linguistic influence appears in the baguettes at every bakery, the bureaucratic efficiency, and the wine lists at resort restaurants. But the Polynesian cultural identity runs far deeper and shapes everything from the pace of daily life to the art, music, tattooing traditions, and relationship with the ocean. The tiare flower, worn behind the ear as a cultural signal of availability or commitment depending on which ear, appears everywhere as a symbol of this living Polynesian identity. Travelers from the USA and Europe who engage with Polynesian culture rather than simply consuming the resort experience consistently report a richer and more meaningful trip. Understanding that these islands are home to communities with deep cultural roots, not simply scenic backdrops for honeymoon photography, transforms the quality of every interaction.

Why This Combination Works Better Than Either Island Alone

Bora Bora alone risks feeling like an expensive resort island where the lagoon is spectacular but human interaction is primarily with hotel staff and organized tour operators. Moorea alone risks feeling slightly underdeveloped for couples expecting the polished luxury that French Polynesia’s reputation promises. Together, they create a balance that neither achieves independently. Spending four to five nights on Moorea provides the hiking, cultural engagement, affordable local dining, and dramatic mountain scenery that grounds the trip in genuine place. Then moving to Bora Bora for three to four nights delivers the overwater bungalow experience, the iconic lagoon snorkeling, and the particular luxury atmosphere that most couples specifically travel to French Polynesia to experience. This sequencing, Moorea first and Bora Bora second, works better psychologically because it saves the most visually spectacular and most expensive element for the trip’s climax.

Moorea: Where Mountains Meet the Lagoon

Mount Rotui and the Hiking Culture

Mount Rotui rises 899 meters from the narrow ridge separating Moorea’s two great bays, Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay. It is not the island’s highest peak but it occupies the most dramatically positioned summit in all of French Polynesia, and the views from its upper slopes across both bays simultaneously create one of the Pacific’s most extraordinary visual experiences. The hiking trail to Mount Rotui is moderately challenging and requires reasonable fitness, good footwear, and a guide for the upper sections where route-finding becomes genuinely difficult. The trail passes through dense tropical vegetation, crosses exposed ridgelines, and rewards the effort with views that no overwater bungalow photograph can replicate. For couples where both partners enjoy physical activity, this hike represents one of the best Moorea activities for couples and justifies a full day’s planning. Starting before 7am avoids the worst heat and maximizes clear visibility before afternoon clouds build around the summit.

Opunohu Bay: The Most Beautiful Bay in the Pacific

Opunohu Bay makes a strong claim to being the most scenically perfect bay in the entire Pacific Ocean. The bay cuts deep into Moorea’s volcanic interior, flanked by ridges covered in dense tropical forest with Mount Rotui anchoring the view from the water. Unlike Cook’s Bay on the other side, Opunohu Bay has resisted significant development and retains a quality of undisturbed natural grandeur that feels increasingly rare across the Pacific. Kayaking across Opunohu Bay in the early morning, when the water is glass-calm and the mountains catch the first light, provides the kind of experience that couples describe for decades afterward. Organized kayak rentals are available from several operators near the bay’s entrance, and a self-guided paddle across the bay and back takes approximately three hours at a relaxed pace. The Belvedere Lookout above the bay provides a road-accessible viewpoint that offers comparable panoramic drama for couples who prefer not to kayak or hike extensively.

Moorea Lagoonarium and Underwater Life

Moorea’s lagoon hosts extraordinary marine biodiversity that reef snorkelers from Europe and America find genuinely surprising in its accessibility and abundance. Blacktip reef sharks cruise the shallow lagoon areas with enough regularity that they become almost routine sights rather than exceptional encounters. Rays congregate in specific sandy areas where tour operators run feeding excursions, though some ecologically minded travelers prefer the less interventionist snorkeling experiences that reveal marine life in more natural behavioral patterns. The Moorea Lagoonarium provides a structured introduction to the lagoon ecosystem for couples who want guided context before exploring independently. Additionally, Moorea offers some of the most accessible and affordable lagoon tours in all of French Polynesia, because competition among local operators keeps prices lower than comparable Bora Bora experiences. A full lagoon tour including snorkeling, ray encounters, and shark observation typically costs between 70 and 100 euros per person on Moorea compared to 120 to 180 euros for similar experiences on Bora Bora.

Bora Bora: The Lagoon That Defines Luxury

Bora Bora Lagoonarium and the Underwater World

The Bora Bora Lagoonarium sits on a small motu, a coral islet, on the western side of Bora Bora’s reef and provides one of the most comprehensive lagoon experiences in French Polynesia. Visitors encounter sharks, rays, and a diversity of reef fish in a sheltered lagoon environment that allows close interaction while maintaining reasonable ecological standards. The experience suits couples who want structured underwater encounters without requiring advanced diving skills or significant physical exertion. But Bora Bora’s wider lagoon offers snorkeling experiences that exceed even the Lagoonarium’s appeal. The coral gardens surrounding the main island and the outer reef edges host marine life encounters that rival anything the Maldives or Great Barrier Reef offer at comparable price points. For certified divers, the outer reef drop-offs provide wall diving experiences that serious underwater photographers rate among the Pacific’s finest.

Mount Otemanu: The Mountain You Photograph But Rarely Climb

Mount Otemanu’s twin volcanic peaks dominate every Bora Bora photograph and create the island’s unmistakable silhouette. At 727 meters, the summit is technically challenging enough that full summit attempts are rarely completed and officially discouraged. But the hiking trails on Otemanu’s lower slopes provide dramatic perspectives on the lagoon and the surrounding reef that require meaningful physical effort to reach and reward that effort generously. Most couples on Bora Bora experience Otemanu primarily as a backdrop rather than a destination, and that is completely reasonable given the island’s many other draws. However, couples who add even a partial hike on Otemanu’s trails find that the physical engagement with the island’s volcanic interior adds a dimension to the Bora Bora experience that purely lagoon-based activities cannot provide. Guided hikes depart from the main village of Vaitape and cost approximately 60 to 80 euros per person.

The Overwater Bungalow Reality: Worth It or Overpriced?

The overwater bungalow is the defining symbol of a Bora Bora honeymoon and the single largest cost in any French Polynesia itinerary. Prices range from approximately 600 euros per night at the lower end of the overwater category to over 2,000 euros per night at the most exclusive properties. That pricing range shocks most travelers regardless of their general travel budget. The honest assessment is that the overwater bungalow experience is genuinely extraordinary and genuinely different from any hotel room experience available elsewhere. Waking to the sound of the lagoon directly beneath your floor, stepping off your private deck into warm turquoise water, and watching the Otemanu peaks change color at sunset from your own private space creates memories that justify significant expenditure for many couples. But spending three nights rather than five in an overwater bungalow and allocating the saved funds to exceptional dining or additional island experiences represents a smarter approach for most travelers. Garden bungalows at the same resorts cost 40 to 60 percent less and provide the full resort experience while making the occasional overwater nights feel like genuine treats rather than exhausting budget anxiety.

Secondary Experiences and Offbeat Discoveries

Tahiti: More Than Just an Airport Transfer

Most travelers treat Tahiti purely as a transit point for flights to Moorea and Bora Bora, and that approach wastes an island of genuine substance. Papeete, Tahiti’s capital, contains the most vibrant local market in French Polynesia at the Marché de Papeete, where vendors sell vanilla, black pearls, local produce, and traditional crafts at prices considerably lower than resort gift shops. The Musée de Tahiti et des Îles provides the best available introduction to Polynesian cultural history and makes subsequent island experiences significantly more meaningful. Tahiti’s south and east coasts contain dramatic black sand beaches, blowholes, and waterfall hiking that most visitors never discover because they spend a maximum of one night in Papeete before continuing to the famous islands. Adding two nights in Tahiti at the beginning of a French Polynesia trip costs considerably less than comparable accommodation on Bora Bora and adds cultural and landscape diversity that enriches the overall experience.

Rangiroa: For Couples Who Want Something Completely Different

Rangiroa sits approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Tahiti and represents a completely different landscape from the volcanic drama of Moorea and Bora Bora. It is an atoll, meaning its land area consists entirely of flat coral strips surrounding an enormous lagoon. The landscape offers almost nothing visually dramatic above the waterline, but below the surface Rangiroa delivers some of the world’s finest drift diving and dolphin encounters. The Tiputa Pass, where the lagoon exchanges water with the open ocean on tidal cycles, creates a natural aquarium of extraordinary marine density. Couples where at least one partner is a passionate diver should seriously consider adding Rangiroa to a French Polynesia itinerary. Air Tahiti connects Rangiroa to Papeete with multiple daily flights taking approximately one hour, and the overall cost of Rangiroa accommodation runs significantly lower than Bora Bora. It suits adventurous couples who want their French Polynesia experience to contain genuine surprise rather than exclusively confirming expectations.

Food and Dining Across Both Islands

What French Polynesian Cuisine Actually Offers

French Polynesian cuisine reflects the double cultural identity of the islands with considerable honesty. French technique and ingredient standards meet Polynesian raw materials, and the results range from excellent to extraordinary. Poisson cru is the essential dish of French Polynesia, raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk with vegetables, and it appears on every menu from simple roulottes to upscale resort restaurants. The quality of the raw fish across French Polynesia consistently impresses travelers from Europe and America who expect Pacific seafood to be good but find it genuinely exceptional. Roulottes are the mobile food vans that gather in Papeete’s waterfront area and on both islands at local market areas, offering poisson cru, grilled fish, Chinese noodle dishes, and crepes at prices that represent the best value dining in French Polynesia. A full meal from a roulotte costs between 8 and 15 euros per person, which is extraordinary value in this context.

Restaurant Recommendations and Realistic Pricing

On Moorea, Restaurant Le Pecheur near Cook’s Bay offers reliable fresh fish dishes at mid-range prices between 20 and 40 euros per main course. The resort restaurants on Moorea are considerably more affordable than their Bora Bora equivalents and some offer genuinely good cooking alongside their lagoon views. On Bora Bora, resort dining is essentially unavoidable for evening meals unless you are staying in the village of Vaitape where a small number of local restaurants offer reasonable prices. Resort dinner menus on Bora Bora typically run 60 to 120 euros per person for a full meal with wine. St. James Restaurant on Bora Bora offers some of the island’s most accomplished cooking with fresh lagoon fish preparations that justify their premium pricing. Budget-conscious couples should allocate one or two resort dinner experiences on Bora Bora for the ambiance and save money by eating lunch from local snack bars and roulottes wherever access allows.

Drinks, Local Specialties, and What to Seek Out

French Polynesia’s black pearl industry is world-famous but local vanilla from the Leeward Islands is equally remarkable and far more accessible as a purchase. Vanilla grown in French Polynesia has an intensity and complexity that commercially available vanilla from other regions cannot match. Buying directly from market vendors in Papeete or from local producers on Moorea provides genuine quality at prices that still undercut comparable European specialty food shops significantly. Hinano beer is the local lager and appears everywhere at consistent quality and reasonable prices. French wine is widely available at quality levels that reflect French administrative standards, but prices are elevated by import costs and resort markups. Local fruit juices, particularly those made from pamplemousse, the large Polynesian grapefruit, and fresh coconut water served directly from the nut, are both delicious and widely available.

Practical Information for Planning Your Trip

Getting There and Between Islands

Most travelers from the USA access French Polynesia through Los Angeles International Airport, where Air Tahiti Nui and French Bee operate direct flights to Papeete’s Faa’a International Airport. Flying time from Los Angeles is approximately eight hours. From Europe, Paris Charles de Gaulle connects to Papeete with Air Tahiti Nui in approximately 17 hours, and this routing often provides better pricing than routing through the USA for European travelers. Between islands, Air Tahiti operates the domestic network with reliable service connecting Papeete to Moorea by a 7-minute flight and to Bora Bora in 50 minutes. Ferry services connect Papeete to Moorea in 30 minutes at considerably lower cost than flying, making the ferry the standard choice for the Tahiti-Moorea leg. Budget approximately 150 to 200 euros per person for inter-island flights within a standard Moorea-Bora Bora itinerary.

Climate and Best Visiting Window

The April to October period provides the optimal French Polynesia visiting conditions. During these months, southeast trade winds keep temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius with lower humidity and significantly reduced rainfall compared to the November to March wet season. The wet season brings higher temperatures, heavy rain, and the slight but real cyclone risk that makes travel insurance genuinely important rather than optional. June and July represent the peak season with maximum visitor numbers and highest accommodation prices, but also the most reliably excellent weather. April, May, September, and October balance good weather with somewhat lower crowds and better accommodation availability. Couples planning honeymoons often choose shoulder months specifically to avoid the peak season congestion that can make even Bora Bora’s lagoon feel crowded during July’s busiest weeks.

Accommodation Recommendations and Pricing Reality

On Moorea, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort offers overwater bungalows from approximately 450 euros per night and provides strong value relative to comparable Bora Bora properties. The Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort delivers excellent lagoon views and reliable service at similar price points. For budget-conscious couples, Moorea offers pension guesthouses, locally owned family accommodations, from approximately 80 to 150 euros per night that provide clean, pleasant rooms with lagoon or mountain views without resort pricing. On Bora Bora, the Four Seasons, St. Regis, and Conrad properties represent the pinnacle of overwater bungalow luxury from 1,200 euros per night upward. The Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort offers more accessible overwater pricing starting around 600 euros per night while maintaining genuine quality. Mixing accommodation categories, meaning pension stays on Moorea and selective overwater nights on Bora Bora, represents the most financially intelligent approach for most couples.

Daily Budget Planning with Real Costs

A realistic daily budget per couple on Moorea staying in a pension, eating a mix of roulottes and mid-range restaurants, and doing one organized activity runs approximately 200 to 300 euros. On Bora Bora in an overwater bungalow with resort dining, the same couple should budget 600 to 1,000 euros daily including accommodation. A 7-night trip combining four nights on Moorea and three nights on Bora Bora with one overwater night, realistic activity spending, inter-island transport, and a mix of dining options realistically costs a couple between 4,500 and 7,000 euros excluding international flights. Adding international flights from Europe typically brings the total to 8,000 to 12,000 euros per couple, and from the USA similarly. That figure is significant but compares favorably with Maldives honeymoon packages at equivalent luxury levels when total costs are honestly calculated.

FAQ: Honest Answers for Couples Planning French Polynesia

Is French Polynesia worth the cost compared to the Maldives or Seychelles?

French Polynesia offers more geographic and activity diversity than the Maldives, which is primarily a diving and beach destination with limited cultural or hiking substance. The Maldives delivers marginally better reef diving conditions in some areas but lacks Moorea’s mountain hiking, Bora Bora’s cultural history, and the broader island-hopping possibilities that French Polynesia’s accessible inter-island network provides. The Seychelles offers stronger cultural identity and more island diversity at somewhat lower costs but lacks the iconic lagoon scenery that makes Bora Bora photographs universally recognizable. For couples who want a single destination that delivers luxury, nature, mild adventure, and iconic scenery simultaneously, French Polynesia’s combination is genuinely difficult to match.

Is Bora Bora vs Moorea really that different an experience?

Yes, meaningfully so. Bora Bora is more developed, more expensive, more focused on resort luxury, and more visually iconic in the lagoon sense. Moorea is more rugged, more affordable, more hiking-oriented, and more connected to everyday Polynesian community life. Couples who prioritize Instagram-perfect lagoon luxury will prefer Bora Bora. Couples who value physical engagement with landscapes, cultural authenticity, and better value for money will prefer Moorea. Most couples who visit both report that Moorea surprised them most pleasantly precisely because they expected less from it.

What are the best island-hopping routes in French Polynesia for 7 to 10 days?

The most practical 7-night route is two nights in Tahiti, three nights in Moorea, and two nights in Bora Bora. For 10 nights, adding three nights in Rangiroa creates a route that covers volcanic lagoon scenery, mountain hiking, cultural context, and world-class diving without requiring excessive internal flights. An alternative 10-night route replaces Rangiroa with extended time split between Moorea and Bora Bora for couples who prioritize the classic lagoon experience over diving adventure. Booking all inter-island flights through Air Tahiti’s island-pass system before departure saves money compared to booking individual segments.

What are the best Moorea activities for couples specifically?

The Mount Rotui hike provides the most dramatic shared physical experience on the island. Kayaking across Opunohu Bay in the morning creates intimate, unhurried time on the water. Lagoon tours with snorkeling and ray encounters suit couples of all fitness levels. Quad bike tours around the island’s coastal road and interior valley provide a faster-paced alternative for couples who enjoy mild adventure activities. Sunset viewing from the Belvedere Lookout requires minimal effort and delivers maximum visual reward. Cooking classes using traditional Polynesian ingredients are available through some local operators and provide a genuinely different shared activity.

How important is speaking French for enjoying these islands?

Basic French phrases help considerably, particularly on Moorea and in Papeete where English fluency among locals is less universal than in dedicated resort environments. On Bora Bora, resort staff consistently speak excellent English and the heavily international visitor base means English communication is rarely problematic. However, making any effort with French creates noticeably warmer interactions with local people throughout French Polynesia, because the linguistic connection to France carries cultural significance that locals appreciate when visitors acknowledge it. Carrying a translation app as backup handles most situations where language barriers arise outside resort environments.

Is French Polynesia suitable for non-swimmers or non-divers?

Yes, more than most Pacific destinations. Moorea’s mountain hiking, valley exploration, and cultural experiences provide substantial non-water activities. Bora Bora’s glass-bottom boat tours allow non-swimmers to observe the lagoon’s marine life without entering the water. The resort pools, beach relaxation, spa facilities, and general landscape scenery create satisfying experiences for partners who are less water-oriented while the other partner snorkels or dives. Couples with significantly different activity preferences generally find French Polynesia accommodating because both islands offer enough variety to satisfy divergent interests simultaneously.

When should couples book to get the best accommodation rates?

Booking 9 to 12 months in advance for peak season visits between June and August is strongly recommended, because the most desirable overwater bungalows at quality properties fill extremely early and last-minute availability often means choosing between poor room categories and extraordinary prices. Shoulder season bookings in April, May, September, or October can sometimes be secured 4 to 6 months in advance with better success. Watching for Air Tahiti Nui promotional fares from Los Angeles and Paris significantly reduces international flight costs, and these promotions typically appear 6 to 9 months before departure dates.

Is French Polynesia safe for travelers?

French Polynesia maintains very low violent crime rates and the French administrative infrastructure provides safety standards comparable to mainland France. Petty theft exists in Papeete and basic awareness of belongings in the market area and at night is sensible. The islands themselves are genuinely safe and the combination of Polynesian cultural hospitality and French law enforcement creates an environment where couples traveling alone feel comfortable and welcomed. Water safety awareness matters more than crime concerns, because the powerful currents around reef passes and some exposed beaches require respect. Following local advice about swimming conditions is always sensible.

What should couples pack that they might not expect to need?

Reef-safe sunscreen is essential and environmentally important because standard chemical sunscreens damage coral reef ecosystems that are the entire reason for visiting. Bringing reef-safe sunscreen from home avoids paying significant resort premiums for the same product. Water shoes with sturdy soles protect against coral cuts during lagoon entry and exit. A lightweight waterproof bag protects cameras and phones during lagoon activities. Evening temperatures are warm enough that formal clothing is unnecessary, but smart casual dress is appropriate for better resort restaurants. Anti-malarial medication is not required in French Polynesia, but dengue fever exists and mosquito repellent for evening use is sensible particularly on Moorea and Tahiti.

Can French Polynesia work as a honeymoon destination for couples on a tighter budget?

Yes, with realistic planning and genuine flexibility. Staying primarily in pensions on Moorea rather than resort properties, eating at roulottes and local restaurants, limiting organized tours to one or two key experiences, and spending only two nights in a Bora Bora overwater bungalow rather than five creates a French Polynesia honeymoon at dramatically lower cost than standard resort packages suggest. Couples who approach the destination this way consistently report that the experience feels equally romantic and far less financially stressful than the full-luxury version. The landscapes, the lagoon water, the Polynesian warmth, and the general atmosphere create romance regardless of whether you are watching the sunset from a 2,000-euro overwater deck or a 100-euro pension balcony.

The Memory That French Polynesia Plants in You

French Polynesia does something specific to couples who experience it thoughtfully. It creates a shared visual and sensory reference that remains vivid for decades because the combination of color, scale, warmth, and beauty exceeds what most people previously thought possible in a real place rather than a photograph. Bora Bora’s lagoon genuinely is that turquoise. Mount Rotui genuinely does create that silhouette across Opunohu Bay. The poisson cru genuinely tastes that clean and bright. These are not exaggerations of a travel industry selling dreams. They are accurate descriptions of a place that happens to look exactly like its reputation promises. But French Polynesia also rewards couples who engage beyond the visual surface. The Polynesian cultural identity, the complex French colonial history, the extraordinary marine ecosystems, and the physical challenge of its volcanic landscapes add dimensions to the experience that purely resort-focused travelers miss entirely. Coming with curiosity about all of those layers, not only the lagoon photography, transforms a beautiful holiday into a genuinely formative shared experience that shapes how a couple travels and experiences the world together long after they return home.