Sometimes you just need to get away in order to gain perspective.
After spending eight years in the White House, Barack Obama is currently getting lots of new perspective at a resort in French Polynesia, according to local reports.
Since his arrival in Tahiti on March 15, the former president has holed up at luxury resort The Brando, working on his memoirs for the past month. Michelle Obama flew out to join him over the weekend.
The couple, staying true to their fitness routines, spent Sunday in the island’s lagoon. The former president swam in the water while the former first lady got her exercise paddleboarding. They took a small boat out to the lagoon, accompanied by two boats of security personnel.
“True to his reputation, he was very relaxed,” according to local news TNTV.
e luxury resort – located on the island Tetiaroa, about 30 miles from Tahiti – has 35 villas, each with their own strip of private white sand beach and plunge pool. It was once used as a retreat for chiefs and kings of Tahiti until Marlon Brando purchased the island in 1967. It has since become an eco-friendly resort that also supports research and conservation initiatives.
The resort features many opportunities for visitors to take advantage of surrounding nature including a sea turtle sanctuary, coral reefs for snorkeling and deep-sea fishing.
But that doesn’t mean that Obama is shutting himself off from what’s happening in America. Inside the villas are decked out with a media room and wifi to stay connected to the outside world.
The all-inclusive resort starts at $2,700 per night for a one-room villa.
Ever since leaving the White House, Obama has been on a tour of warmer climates. Immediately following the January 20 inauguration, he went down to Palm Springs for golf. Afterwards he spent time kitesurfing on Richard Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands. Post-presidency stops have also included New York City and Hawaii.
The Obamas are expected to leave the resort by the end of the week.