Tahiti

Tahiti held a magical attraction for artist Paul Gauguin and writer Robert Louis Stevenson. To understand why, simply listen to the winds whistling through casuarina trees on a secluded black-sand beach, or stroll through beautiful botanical gardens and marvel at island flora. James Michener called it the most beautiful island in the South Pacific. You may confirm his opinion, either by the local "Le Truck" transport, 4-wheel-drive van, or in a helicopter overhead. And the offshore beauty is accessible by a glass-bottomed boat or by snorkeling.

Tahiti, known as the Island of Love, is the largest of the cluster of more than 100 Society Islands which include Bora Bora, Taha'a, Raiatea, Moorea and coral atoll of Tetiaroa. With waterfalls cascading into rivers, colorful tropical flowers spread over fields, Tahiti Island offers visitors miles of beautiful beaches and breathtaking panoramic view from mountains. 

The island of Tahiti in the Society Islands group is found half way between California (6,200 km) and Australia (5,700 km).  Just a 7 1/2 hour flight from Los Angeles. 

Tahiti and Her Islands comprise an area officially known as French Polynesia. The Islands are scattered over four million square kilometers (one and a half million sq. miles) of ocean in the eastern South Pacific. 

In the last few years, Papeete has grown into a very modern city boasting a variety of new public facilities: shopping centers, boutiques, restaurants, night clubs and bars, travel agencies and airline offices, art galleries and museums.

Whether you're looking to hike into mountain beauty, dive amoung multi-colored schools of fish, tour the islands or set sail at sunset, you'll find it here. Bon voyage!

The term French Polynesia refers to five archipelagoes spread over an expanse of the South Pacific approximately the size of Western Europe (2,000,000 square miles or approximately 5,000,000 square kilometers). The region includes the Marguesas, the Tuamotus, the Society Islands, the Australs and the Gambiers. Each of these archipelagoes has its own culture, ethnicity and climate.

The Tahitians are a handsome people noted for their hospitality, friendliness and easygoing approach to life.

Tahitian culture is a lively fusion of ancient Polynesian lore and European contemporaneousness.

The mixture of Polynesian and French cultures has resulted in a fertile culinary environment. There is a variety of splendid foods available in Tahiti ranging from traditional Tahitian fare to fine French cuisine, and tempting combinations thereof. The Tahitian diet consists mostly of fish, shellfish, breadfruit, taro, cassava, pork, yams, chickan, rice and coconut.

Visitors will also find any number of Italian, Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants of various price categories and quality. For Americans accustomed to fast-food, Papeete and some of the outer islands serve hamburgers, steaks, fries and similar staples.

One of the most lasting impressions of French Polynesia is the captivating floral scents which permeate the tropical air. The region is home to a myriad of tropical flowers, many indigenous to these islands.

The basis for French Polynesia's traditional "hei" wreath is the perfumed "Tiare Tahiti." This heavily scented gardenia is widely used for greeting arriving visitors and returning family. In fact, the "Tiare Tahiti" is so revered in French Polynesia that it has its own national holiday.

The flower is also used as an ingredient in tanning lotions, perfumes, soaps and other cosmetic products.

Plant life, which grows vigorously throughout the year, comes into flower more often during the wet season, while further away from the equator the archipelagoes down south, the Austral and Gambier, enjoy cooler temperatures.