Blogs from French Polynesia, Oceania - page 45

Having escaped the cold of New Zealand, I threw out my jackets and jumpers for the shorts and t-shirt on the island of Tahiti. Being fowarned that French Polynesia can be quite expensive, I was out to find a place to camp on these magnificent islands to avoid breaking the budget. Tahiti isnt really what you would imagine, Its urban sprawl along the coast brings loud trucks, pollution and noise and not really what I would expect from a tropical paradise. About a half hour cruise to neighbouring Moorea, is much more like it! Amazingly coloured lagoons, the mountains inspiring and also forboding add a feeling of enchantment to this tropical abode. The people are very laid back and relaxed but seemed to have lost any tribal heritage they once had. They traded in there ... read more

We docked this morning (Wednesday) at Raiatea, the first of the French Polyneasian islands we'll visit. Tomorrow is a stop at Bora Bora (think "South Pacific") where we will stay overnight at one of their famous resorts with thatch roofed huts over the water where the room service breakfast arrives on a canoe. This is something we heard about last year when we were here, and we wanted to try it out this time. These little islands are fabulously beautiful, each one surrounded by coral reefs so ugly things like tsunamis can't get through. The French own these islands, and they treat the native Polynesian a bit like the US used to treat its native Americans,except the handcuffs are more golden. A lot of free stuff and heavily subsidised housing. Unlike most tropical islands, tourism is ... read more

I've got it all wrong... I was pretty cocky in planning this trip.. the timing of things, the exotic locations I had selected..they were all perfect... but I have got it wrong. In allowing a year to explore the world, and 2 weeks for the South Pacific, I have got things the wrong way round... a year here would be just fine... this place is simply the place that daydreams are made of. Tahiti.. the name conjours up images in your mind, I bet, of reef fringed lagoons of baby blue water, swaying palm trees, pretty polynesian girls wearing floral patterns and flowers in their hair etc etc... now I hate to disappoint you, so I wont... it's all true. Well, the outlying islands are, anyway.. Tahiti is the biggest island and hub of French Polynesia.. ... read more

It's always been a dream destination of mine...to see Tahiti. Her beautiful Islands lived up to the gorgeous brochures we have all seen and drooled over. But, the sparkling jewel was defintely....Bora Bora. The beauty of this island took my breath away! I visited Papette, Huahine, Moorea....which were all beautiful, but Bora Bora just stands out with it's amazing view. As I landed, and saw the almost black mountains{Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia}, with the lush emerald greenery and the stunningly gorgeous blue lagoons...no words can describe the beauty. If, I appear to be 'gushing' it's because I am. This is paradise. And paradise does come with a price. Yes, a high price! Over-the-water bungalows start at $500 USD a night. Oh.....but, what a splurge. With glass see-through coffee tables ....you can see schools of fish ... read more

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