Tahiti and surrounding islands... - Page 2

Ally · 02-05-2006, 09:43 AM

Islands At The End of the World

Over one thousand miles southeast of Tahiti are the Gambier Islands. The cradle of Catholicism during the nineteeth century following the arrival of the first missionaries to the region, hundreds of stone buildings from that era survive including churches, convents, schools, and watch towers.

Mangareva, the largest island of the region, is home to most of the population and the center of the region's pearl industry. The island's only small family pensions are located here in the town of Rikitea

Ally · 02-05-2006, 09:43 AM

Hundreds of miles to the south of Tahiti lie the Austral islands, a chain of five high islands located on the Tropic of Capricorn.

The islands are known for the traditional art of weaving coconut and pandanus leaves into elaborate hats, purses, mats, and bags. The ocean around the islands is also a home for whales from July to November.

The islands with small hotels and family pensions are:

Rurutu
Island of Whales

Tubuai
The island of Plenty

Raivavae
At the dawning of the world

Rapa
Easter Island's Little Sister

Ally · 02-05-2006, 09:44 AM

Unlike any other hotel room you've stayed in before, these traditional thatched-roof bungalows are perched above the turquoise lagoon waters. In many of the rooms, tropical fish swim below as you look through the glass floor or coffee table. With all the amenities of a first-class hotel room, here on your private balcony surrounded only by water and sky, you can enjoy both breakfast (often delivered by canoe) and the sunset (seemingly delivered by the heavens).

Island Tours
There is no better way to gain a sense of everyday Tahitian life than passing through the small villages on a circle-island tour. As nearly every island has a coastal road following the lagoon shores, you can either drive around the island by rental car or take a guided bus tour. Explore the island interiors on a 4x4 safari, guided nature hike, or horseback ride. Skim across the lagoons on a motorized canoe, sailboat, or powerboat. For dramatic views above the islands, take a helicopter tour.

Snorkeling & Diving
World-class snorkeling and diving in Tahiti is one of the South Pacific's best-kept secrets. Both experienced and beginner divers and snorkelers are amazed by how clear the waters are and how close they can swim to the marine life, such as the gigantic manta rays. With hundreds of dive sites throughout the islands, divers can choose from the amazing drift dives, oceanic drop-offs, sunken ships, and lagoon dives with infinite marine life.

Shark Feeding
This excursion is one of the most thrilling and popular and can be enjoyed on most of the main islands. After a short trip into the lagoon by powered outrigger canoe or powerboat, you'll float or stand in four to seven feet of clear water behind a secure rope as the docile sharks are hand-fed by an experienced guide. Even non-swimmers can enjoy this exciting scene from the boat.

Tahitian Cultured Pearls
The world-renowned iridescent luster of Mother Nature's most perfect gem can only be created in Tahiti warm lagoon waters. Commonly known around the world as Black Pearls, each Tahitian Cultured Pearl ranges in size and shape and the colors range from the darkest black to shimmering shades of green, blue, bronze, aubergine, or even pink. Tour a pearl farm on Manihi, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Huahine, Taha'a, Tikehau, and Fakarava or visit one of the many pearl shops.

Polynesian Spas
Tahiti is now a world-class spa destination with many of the resorts offering new luxurious spas. Surrounded by a backdrop of natural beauty and floral fragrances, there is no better setting for relaxation. Enjoy fresh-flower baths, herbal rain showers, or even a body wrap in banana tree leaves at Hélène Spa. You can also rejuvenate your romance at the spas aboard the cruise ships including the Parisian-influenced private Spa Villa for two on the m/s Paul Gauguin.

Unique Cruise Ships
A wide variety of cruise products set sail in these romantic isles. Each week, luxurious cruise ships offer first-class meals and balcony cabins, Tahitian-owned "super yachts" sail deep within the smooth-water lagoons, a passenger freighter voyages between 17 ports, sailing catamarans offer small groups or families a vacation at sea, and barefoot cruising creates an environment for the independent and adventurous. Something for everyone on cruises found nowhere else on earth.

Tahitian Wedding Ceremony
A traditional Tahitian wedding is a meaningful yet legally non-binding ceremony for couples wishing to wed or renew their vows. Couples are bedecked in bright pareu, flowers, and shells. The groom is brought to the beachside location in a canoe while the bride is carried on a rattan throne. Music and dancers enhance the ceremony while a Tahitian priest performs the rites and gives the couple their Tahitian name.

Motu Picnic
Enjoy a private or group picnic on your own motu (tiny islets in the lagoon.) Your resort or cruise ship can provide an unforgettable experience where gourmet meals are prepared and enjoyed on a table set either under a coconut tree or in the warm, shallow waters along the beach as shown here with Bora Bora Cruises.

(Text courtesy of the Tahiti Tourist Information Service)

Ally · 02-15-2006, 01:52 AM

Images of Tahiti and surrounding islands....

fin · 02-22-2006, 11:36 PM

Presently I am trying to get an overwater cottage on Bora Bora for two nights at the end of April. Air Tahiti Nui has a free stopover on their NY to Aukland flight. Bora Bora airport was made by the seabees in WWII and you need to take a boat from the runway to the island. They have a swim with sharks experience, and I joked that they should advertise it as a "once in a lifetime experience" but I don't think they 'got it'.

Southpaw · 02-23-2006, 09:36 AM

I just took a cruise on the Paul Gauguin that stopped in Tahiti and the Society Islands. Absolutely stunning! Bora Bora and its lagoon are INCREDIBLE. Moorea is also breathtaking. Actually, it was amazing because somehow each island was more beautiful than the one the day before. The area is truly magical. I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone might have on cruising Tahiti and its surrounding islands.

Ally · 02-23-2006, 09:51 AM

It would be great to read a trip report on here about you cruise. We will be getting a special section for reports soon

Southpaw · 02-23-2006, 09:53 AM

I have one a wrote for friends and would be happy to submit it once we have the section. I also have some great pix. Not ones I took but a woman I met on board who sent me hers. They were like from a professional photographer.

Ally · 02-23-2006, 09:54 AM

Excellent

Shall look forward to seeing them

fin · 05-12-2006, 09:11 PM

My young companion and I were extremely fortunate to secure a premier overwater cottage at the Pearl Beach Resort just off Bora Bora. She and I have posted pictures on our respective weblogs on journalspace.com, and we eagerly invite visitors ..... but currently the whole website is apparently down.