Wednesday night, I settled in to watch the latest episode of ABC TV’s The Golden Bachelorette. I’ll admit this: I was primarily interested in The Golden Bachelorette because Windstar’s much-beloved Star Breeze, and French Polynesia, one of the most magical places on the planet, are co-stars in this episode.
It was even more satisfying than anticipated. And that’s on top of a binge watch of this show’s debut season, particularly episode 6, known as “the hometown episode.”
But wait, let me back up: The Golden Bachelorette, inspired by the long-running reality television series The Bachelor and a newer version, The Golden Bachelor, follows the journey of a 61-year-old Maryland woman, Joan Vassos, as she searches for love after being widowed. The show assembled 24 male contestants, from ages 57 – 69, and chronicles their stories – and a potential connection with Vassos. Through process of elimination, in this 7th episode, three suitors meet up with Vassos in Tahiti; and on November 13 we’ll learn if Joan chooses to give her heart to one man (we’re almost there, stay tuned to 8/7c on ABC).
How can you not root for people who have lived multi-faceted lives and are looking for a second chance at love? I have been so moved by the stories the candidates and the bachelorette have shared. How courageous for Vassos and her suitors to express their vulnerabilities.
Windstar’s role in the show was to provide the most magnificent backdrop to the seventh episode – both the islands of Moorea and Bali and the beautiful Star Breeze, which accommodated Vassos and her contestants. If you’ve traveled on any of the three Star Class ships, which also include Star Pride and Star Legend, you’ll love to see familiar spots – the pool deck, the Yacht Club, various suites (even the gift shop gets a moment of glory). And if you’ve been lucky enough to visit French Polynesia, the scenery is just as stunning as you remember it.
Here are some favorite takeaways from what I call the “Windstar episode” (and if you are keen to watch, the whole series so far is streaming on ABC and Hulu).
- In a gal pal chat from a seaside table at the Star Grill, Vassos’ close friend Nancy Huckower, who appeared with her on the original The Golden Bachelor, poignantly captured this message, which seems to be a theme for the show: “Lonely is not a place you stay. Lonely is a place you walk through.” It strikes me that there can be so much loss when you get to this “golden” chapter of your own life. I can’t get over how courageous they all are for opening themselves to the possibility of finding love – and also risking loss, not just for themselves but also for the millions of viewers tuning in.
- The more observant among us may have noticed that Windstar doesn’t actually offer this venue for private dinners – at least not yet – but wow, call me inspired (the Yacht Club is a favorite space onboard and opening it up in the evening for small celebrations could be really special).
- On each of her three dates, Vassos explores the islands in different ways. It was a blast to see her riding almost-out-of-control-fast in an ATV with Chock on Moorea’s dirt pathways; getting into the interior of this beautiful island meant great vistas. Off the coast of Moorea, on a private catamaran trip (I’m booking this excursion on my next trip!) she and Guy went snorkeling among the stingrays. And yet, the best of the outings was this one….
- In a day centered around the culture of French Polynesia, Vassos and Pascal listened to traditional music, witnessed cooking in an ancient in-ground oven and even broke into an impromptu dance during a welcome ceremony. My favorite part? The food. A buffet was prepared to showcase the islands’ culinary treats (and the eagle eyed among us may spot Windstar president Chris Prelog’s favorite dish there). The scene where Pascal, whose first language is French, tries in vain to communicate with a chef about the difference between a chicken and a rooster – and abandons the effort to simply mimic their calls — was surprisingly hilarious.
And, last but not least, the bonding ceremony – which I definitely want to do with my husband when we return to French Polynesia – had an abrupt outcome that definitely switched things up.
“I thought about this journey before I came on it,” Vassos says in this most recent episode. “Now I’m at the end of this journey and my heart is completely open.”
The islands of Tahiti will do that to you.
