It’s no secret I’ve always struggled with flying.
Which, yeah, is kind of ridiculous for someone who travels for living. I’ve taken well over a hundred flights during the past five years, but stepping on a plane makes me nervous. I’m practically guaranteed to dream about being in a plane crash the night before a flight.
I hate relinquishing my sense of control, I start worrying whenever I look out the window and realise just how much nothingness there is between me and the ground, I’ve been known to start crying over a patch of rough turbulence, and I’m permanently bracing myself to come face-to-face with a hijacker.
I know my fear is irrational. I know how planes work. I understand all the technical stuff. I know they don’t just fall out of the sky. I know that turbulence isn’t dangerous. I know that if flying was as unsafe as driving, there would be hundreds of crashes a day.
The planes were small in French Polynesia — a fear of mine — but I’ve travelled a lot over the past few years and I’m not as frightened these days.
Which was great in French Polynesia, because flying there was spectacular. Every single flight took me over sharp volcano peaks, dense jungle, bright blue lagoons, and white sand beaches.
Here are some of my favourites views from the window:
My very first glimpse of French Polynesia came when I passed over the island of Raiatea. I love this shot because it shows just how far out the lagoon stretches, and you can see a small yacht sailing in its waters.
Tahiti is the most built-up island in French Polynesia, so this photo, taken as we were arriving in the capital of Papeete, gives you some idea of how untouched the rest of the islands are.
When I return to French Polynesia, the island of Moorea is going to be right at the top of my list. I’d avoided it on this visit because I’d heard it was popular with tourists (I wanted to spend the majority of my time on lesser-visited islands), but places are popular for a reason. It looked stunning from above.
Here’s another photo of Moorea. I couldn’t get over how many jagged peaks it has!
Huahine was my favourite island in French Polynesia, and this photo was taken shortly after taking off. I spent much of my time on the island cycling around the small lagoon you can see alongside the runway.
A close-up of a palm-tree lined beach in Maupiti as we came in to land.
Even on a stormy day in Maupiti, the lagoon was still a vibrant shade of turquoise!
These are the islands of Raiatea and Tahaa, which share the same lagoon.
Flying over Bora Bora before we came in to land was one of the most incredible sights of my life. I felt like I was in Jurassic Park!
And then, sadly, it was time to say goodbye to beautiful Bora Bora and leave French Polynesia. Going…
Going…
Gone!
Where is the prettiest place you’ve ever flown over?
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⛰ Meet Maupiti: the Bora Bora of 50 Years Ago
🙈 Stranded and Afraid in Maupiti
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💗 Huahine Travel Guide: My Favourite Island in the South Pacific
French Polynesia is really starting to shoot up to the top of my dream travel destinations! Every one of those islands looks super impressive from above – and judging by your previous pictures from up-clos-and-personal too! Amazing!
Yay! I’m thrilled to hear that, Dominique! :-)
Flying over Indonesia leaving Lombok was easily one of the most beautiful flights I’ve taken. The color of the water was similar to your photos, but the islands were even smaller so that from above, they almost looked like abstract paintings… unreal.
That sounds amazing! I definitely need to see more of Indonesia at some point :-)
I definitely need that book you mentioned!
I used to love flying, but after a really bad flight from Auckland to LA, I am terrified! I have a bunch of flights coming up and have been having panic attacks just thinking about them.
Thanks for the book recommendation!
No problem! It really did do so much for my fear of flying. It’s written by a pilot and he makes flying sound so simple and safe, so it really helped put my mind at ease.
These photos are absolutely stunning! I love how the islands seem to just jut up right out of the water. Despite the smaller planes, the views really must have been amazing!
They really were! And because the islands are so close to each other (each flight is around 20 minutes) you were passing over islands all the time :-)
Wow, absolutely stunning. I definitely need to see that for myself someday!!
I highly recommend visiting! :-)
Oh my god, these photos are absolutely stunning. Glad you are slowing becoming more confident with flying – it’s something that’s never bothered me but I sure can understand why some people are scared!
Thanks so much Danielle! I’m slowly getting there :-)
Wow, what incredible views! I identify with the fear associated with flying. I used to have full-blown aerophobia when I was at university and had to teach myself out of it because I wanted to travel the world! Now, every so often, the fear creeps in out of nowhere, but I’ve learnt to deal with it with mindfulness techniques. I actually LOVE staring out the window now whereas for years I couldn’t bring myself to be even anywhere near one!
I definitely have had a love-hate relationship with the window. I used to always need to sit next to one, but I couldn’t bear to look out of it, so I’d keep the shade down at all times. Dave loved flying with me! Middle seat *and* shrouded in darkness!
Now I love looking out of the window!
Wow, so beautiful! I have said this before, but French Polynesia has made it’s way on my bucket list thanks to your raving posts:-). I am actually thinking about not going to Sri Lanka and the Maldives but to back to New Zealand and continuing to French Polynesia instead…
Lol, the most beautiful place I have flown over was the Philippines. But reading your post about flying there makes me think you don’t agree;-)
That’s amazing — I’m so happy to hear that, Lotte! And honestly, I much preferred French Polynesia to the Maldives ;-)
Haha to the Philippines! I remember the views being beautiful there. When I wasn’t staring at the propeller and convincing myself it was going to fall off.
Haha, Í can imagine that can be distracting;-). I have to say flying with Cebu Pacific was quite an experience…
The games! I still don’t know if they were amazing or annoying, haha.
That’s amazing, Natalie! It definitely is within your grasp :-)
Holy crap! French Polynesia looks like a freaking paradise! I want to go there..
You should! :-)
Wow those views look amazing, i’ve never seen anything like that from a plane! It looks beautiful :)
It was pretty mind-blowing!
Hi Lauren,
I was wondering about costs for flights New Zealand to Rarutonga and rarutonga to Tahiti? I always seem to find these ones expensive.
Also I have been liking your photos. What camera are you using and do you like it?
It was $215 to fly from Auckland to Rarotonga, and $330 to fly from Rarotonga to Tahiti.
I use a Sony A7ii. I *love* it!
Its really thrilling experience. I would like to do so. But little bit scare of looking down from sky or from high. But once in a life I have do this. Thanks for encouraging us with this article.
No problem! The good thing with flying in French Polynesia is that the flights are so short that you never go super-high up in the air.
How can the water look so turquoise and clear? I could stare at i for hours! Great pictures!
I know! I definitely developed an obsession with lagoons after this trip!
Hey LAUREN i really really very much inspired by your travelling. Pictures are outstanding, i have no words how to describe only i can say it’s mind blowing. Please share some more blog , i am really being fond of your blogging..
New post went up yesterday! :-)
Lots of new posts coming up soon!
Nice Post . Thanks for sharing real Photo and those views look
Beautiful. I have not never seem this type view.
I don’t think you’d be able to get these views in many places around the world! Definitely a reason to visit French Polynesia at some point :-)
Like you I find those small planes to be so scary! I hate that you can feel every single movement and bump in the air – and it always has me reaching for the arm rest in fear. Having said that I think i could get over my fears to travel in FP – Gorgeous photos.
Exactly! I think the descent is especially bad — it always feels like you’re coming in at such a sharp angle that a crash is imminent.