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Papeete Harbor, Tahiti Island
Tahiti is a turtle-shaped island, crowned by Polynesia's two highest peaks and skirted by black velvet beaches and pink coral reefs, is the largest of the 118 islands that comprise French Polynesia. The legendary name "Tahiti" not only identifies this island but also the group of islands that make up French Polynesia.
Papeete, the bustling capital of Tahiti, is one of the most romantic ports of call in the South Pacific. Once a sleepy port town, today its harbor is busy with cargo freighters, copra ships, luxury liners and ocean-going yachts, its streets humming with cars, motorscooters and colorful open-air buses called le truck. There are sidewalk cafes (perfect for people-watching!), shops overflowing with French fashions, shell jewelry and handicrafts, and a wide variety of restaurants serving Tahitian, French and Asian cuisine. Papeete is situated on the northwest coast with a harbor sheltered by reefs. The city of Papeete, which is the political and economic heart of the country, stretches round a narrow coastal strip, and up the mountain side in the north and in the west of the island that are now being covered by luxury residences.
Away from the harbor, Tahiti's scenery gradually turns to foothills tufted with swaying coconut palms, waterfalls cascading through emerald green valleys to cool mountain streams, and waves of pink bougainvilleas. Pure as the day it was created, this tropical paradise is jealously guarded by the monumental cloud-capped Mount Orohena, dwelling place of the ancient gods.
Tahiti, often called "The Island of Love", is the largest of the 118 Islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. The 1,042 sq. km. (402 sq. miles) of Tahiti's surface area consists of mountain peaks reaching over 2,241 meters (7,353 ft.) into a lei of wispy clouds; deep green valleys covered with rainforests and soft fens, waterfalls cascading into cool sweet rivers and streams and flat coastal land, with fields of taro and flowers.
Around Tahiti-Nui (big Tahiti) a 114 km. (71 miles) road winds between the mountains and the sea. And on the peninsula of Tahiti-Iti (little Tahiti) the road continues down each coast for 18 km. (12 miles). An interior road leads past dairy farms and citrus groves to a panoramic view on the Plateau of Taravao-the isthmus that connects the two Islands.Tahiti is a mountainous island dominated by the peak of Mount Orohena (2,241m) and standing alongside the other famous silhouettes of Aorai (2,066m), Diadem (1,321m), a name given by Dumont d'Urville, and mount Marau (1,493m).
In the form of a huge circle, the big island Tahiti Nui is criss-crossed by deep, beautiful valleys and is connected to the equally mountainous little Tahiti Iti, by the narrow Taravao isthmus. The mountains of Tahiti offer curious visitors charming walks in natural valleys of light and shade in the cathedral of fern trees. You will see impressive waterfalls and discover mysterious grottoes and archaeological sites steeped in legend. The high valley of the Papeno'o river which leads to the Maroto pass and to the Vahiria crater lake (whose eels have ears!), together with the nature reserve of the Fenua ai'here and its coastal cliffs at Pari on the peninsula, will awaken a sense of marvel in hikers and those who love wild and unadulterated nature.
The rocky coastline on the west side of Tahiti has spectacular views and long black sand beaches of basaltic origin swept by ideal surfing waves. The road twists and winds its way past splendid gardens with their hibiscus hedges, with au ti (cordylines), with bougainvillea or birds of paradise, sometimes under the shade of majestic breadfruit trees whose fruits were at the heart of the story of "Mutiny on the Bounty".
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We are open every day to assist you with your Tahiti Island vacation travel plans. Ask our Tahiti Vacation Specialists about our exclusive special offers. Our rates are often substantially lower than the published fares you see on the web. Call 1-800-330-8820 or 1 415 446 5252 to book now. Or try our Tahiti vacation planner and we will promptly call you back.
The Tahiti Vacations Guide, Tahiti Island Honeymoon Packages Guide |
