Tahiti Tourisme promises a journey of wistful wonders
You’ve just got your first pay check the longest month of the year with the most minuscule budget to scrap by on, and now, considerably richer, you are free to dream of that not so distant summer holiday destination. And you should dream of Tahiti.
Out in the Pacific Ocean there is a scattering of little near-deserted islands breaking up the crystalline blue with breath-taking tropical sandy lagoons that are quite unlike anything else, they are like scenes out of a Designer Islands catalogue: The French Polynesian Islands are an incomparable luxury travel retreat.
The Islands are inhabited by the native colonisers which inhabit the ‘Polynesian Triangle’, shaped from the North Volcanic Island of Hawaii, to Easter Island in the Southeast, and New Zealand to the Southwest, therefore with common ancestors they all share a similar tongue which is collectively known as Maohi.
Indigenous Maohi culture gives these wondrous islands a tantalisingly relaxed ambience; the people’s free living nature intrinsically mirrors the colourful exuberance of the natural surroundings. The land inspires an artistic energy, the Polynesian Island, Moorea – the Island of Artists, enchantingly decorated with flowers, blending splendid gardens into white sand beaches. The glorious visions and soothing lifestyle attract Painters, carvers, jewellers and tattooists to settle down on this island and take their time to capture the island’s beauty and serenity and find the inspiration to create their art.
The name ‘tattoo’ first emerged in French Polynesia, derived from the legend of Tohu, the god of tattoo. The lore conjures images of painting the myriad of the gem-blue oceans’ exotic fish, represented in opulent colours and patterns. Long have tattoos had a ceremonious role in Polynesian culture, they are considered a symbol of beauty and used to be applied when reaching the age of adolescence.
The clear sparkling lagoons host an array of activities including surf around some hidden passes; Tahiti is home to one of the worlds most treasured diving sanctuaries with the vibrant coral reefs and exceptionally diverse eco-systems, playing host to the likes of Stingrays, Sharks, Marine Turtles and shimmering colours of an assortment of many sized fish.
Tahitians maintain many other traditions from their heritage of their Maohi ancestors. Lore and legend play an elemental part in the history of the culture, as it is little known; it is practice to pass history down through the generations through oral recounts, not written word. Adventures of gods, warriors and men of unparalleled strength, illustrating their sports of choice: it is said that surfing was the favoured game among kings. Stories of folly that depict this water bound escape as a true Pacific playground.
The Tahitian culture is rich in the islands, welcoming visitors from all over the world. The unique Tiare Tahiti flower, only to be found in Tahiti, is used in traditional leis for greeting arriving visitors and returning family. The Tahitians are known for their warm charming character, it once was custom to dance for the joy of welcoming new visitors to the original accompaniment of thunderous drums, conch shells, and harmonic nasal flutes, though the playful display is not a totally lost art and is certainly not exclusive to the Hula of Hawaii. The Tahitian dance is a richly dramatic assimilation with seductive carnal forces in human nature and displays a passionate, loving energy within them.
The Island of Bora Bora is famously attributes a flavour of love and romance. The over-water paradise of the floating bungalows propped up on stilts atop the glorious vista of the continuous water horizon. The sunsets are a spectacle to behold from these rustic dwellings, designed and made in true Tahitian style, directly plunging deep and indulgent colours into the surrounding lagoon.
Famous Hollywood stars, dreamers and lovers choose mythical Bora Bora as their choice fascination thanks to its surreal scenery, its lush vegetation, relaxed ambience but also for the natural locals’ discretion. The St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel offers divine romantic luxuriance: The Bridal Boutique – dedicated to providing the most ineffable quality tailor-made weddings, vow renewal ceremonies and honeymoons imaginable, along with the Signature Romance Concierge crafting inspired couple retreat itineraries and excursions.
Another dreamland among these fantasy islands is the Island of Rangiroa, one of the largest of the collection. This island is home to the worlds most unique Vineyard and Winery, a quirky and idyllic scene opened in June 2015 by the Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa exclusively to their guests revealing a unique islet of grape vines grown in the coral atoll sand. This congenial vision is unlike any other in the world, producing several types of exceptionally rare wine. The ubiquitous isle alsothe birthplace and home of “blue lagoon” – a deep blue lagoon within a lagoon – and also one of the few beholder of the “pink sand beach” in this region – a truly beguiling apparition, as soft as the pinky hue of a precious seashell.
The Archipelago of volcanically fashioned islands are host to sharp, jutting landscapes and mountains and lush, enchanting valleys. It is the perfect scenery for exploring by taking a wild hike, horseback riding, quad-biking. This character gives the islands an aura of mythical mystery and a sense of effervescence fieriness about them and creates itself a host of exuberant and impassioned life.
The best seasonal period to visit the amazing Polynesian Islands is between April and October when temperatures are milder and there are less rainy spells and lower humidity. However it is the month of July that you really want to visit this mystical adventureland, when the annual Heiva Festival takes its place. There is no better place in the world to be in this time, surrounded by this artistic hubbub of Polynesian festivity, displaying their talents in crafts, competing in ancient sporting events, and recreations of traditional, elaborate dances. It is the best time to see this region of the world in full swing.
There is a question of how to get around the scattering paradises. In true Polynesian style you can sail among the islands on ferries as the master voyagers did aboard massive, double-hulled outrigger canoes called Tipairua, long before the Europeans even knew the world was round.
Alternately you can Island hop by plane on the domestic air carrier, Air Tahiti, covering the whole of French Polynesia, serving 46 islands.
French Polynesia is one of the ‘most pinned’ locations of paradise by Britons. Fortunately it has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and a vastness of beauty that can only be glimpsed at through the lens of a camera and through framed images of Pinterest. The aquatic glories of the South Pacific are among the most desired destinations in the world, so why not go out there and experience the magic for yourself.
Over the next decade flights to the area will become increasingly more common and it is predicted that visitors to the region will grow 4.5% annually, so go out there and discover the secrets of this ethereal escape.
