The great octupus, with Raiatea (also called Havaii) at the center of Polynesia

Raiatea - huge mountains and waterfalls everywhere

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September 28th 2018
I'd read that most people skip Raiatea because it isn't known for white sand beaches, but I'm really glad I included it. It reminded me a little bit of Kauai with mountains with huge/dramatic cliffs, waterfalls everywhere, and more green that I think I've ever seen. It's also the site of the Taputapuatea marae - maraes are old religious/political sites where the living interacted with ancestors/go ... read more

Oceania » French Polynesia » Raiatea

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The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January ... ... read more