Tahiti, towering on the ocean being a proud and royal Queen is appropriately crowned with a circle of majestic peaks. The mountainous interior is adorned with deep valleys, clear streams, and high waterfalls, all bathed in green iridescence of Mother Nature’s light. The coastal lands, edged using a rugged coastline, are home to fields of tropical flowers and many with the island’s population.
Papeete, meaning the ” water basket, ” used to be a celebration place where Tahitians found fill their calabashes with fresh waters. Now the invigorating capital and gateway of the united states, boasts world-class resorts, spas, fine dining and different restaurants, nightclubs, vibrant markets, pearl shops, and boutiques. Relaxation is straightforward with the surprising amount of restaurants around Papeete and also at the enjoyable roulottes over the waterfront in Vai’ete Square. Excitement of shopping along the waterfront as well as in the Public Market of Papeete for Tahitian collectibles for example pareu, monoi oil, artwork, music CDs, precious native wood carvings, and delightful Tahitian Pearls. Exploration in the pristine interior and beautiful coastline by 4×4 excursions, guided nature hikes, escorted tours, or car rental. Discovery in the lagoon waters by diving, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, deep-sea fishing, outrigger canoeing, or guided catamaran tours. Visitors find plenty of enjoyment in the beachside resorts featuring luxurious spas, spectacular shows, fine restaurants, as well as the huge selection of rooms, suites, and bungalows.
Some of the most popular activities and sites for visitors include Shopping on the Public Mart.
Get the true heart of Papeete – 155 year-old public market – called Le Marché. Shop from a huge selection of stands full of Tahitian-made crafts, oils, vanilla, fruits, and flowers. An ideal spot to find everything imaginable all hawaii. Open every day except holidays, the market is especially colorful and lively on Sunday mornings when locals extra service for a day of family gatherings. Located two blocks in the waterfront and easily reached by Le Truck or by taxi in the resort.
Many shops well-liked by guests are located in and round the Vaima Center. This four-level block-square shopping mall has from boutiques, pearl shops, book shops, newspaper stands, restaurants, fast food restaurants, and banks. Across the waterfront either in direction are situated many unique shops with antiquities, made-in-Tahiti products, music, and art.
Try an unique and informal dinner or perhaps a memorable post-dinner dessert at Vai’ete Square. Here, lots of colorful roulottes, or food wagons, host an excellent variety of island cuisine and desserts. The boardwalk atmosphere is surely an informal and lively setting to never be missed.
With the tip of the beautiful peninsula lined with black-sand beaches, Point Venus was the historic landing site of many from the early explorers including Captain Cook and Captain William Bligh. Tahiti’s only lighthouse, built in 1867, stands inside a park liked by locals for community events and festivals.
The Circle-Island Tour is really a favorite among visitors for more than A century! The road ingests more than 71 miles of dramatic coastline scenery with wave-pounded cliffs, peaceful beaches, and vibrant colored churches. Popular stops include many overlooks, waterfalls, and ancient sites. A lengthy tour walks you on the peninsula of Tahiti-Iti.
From the unpopulated and lush jungle-like interior of Tahiti Nui is definitely an unspoiled arena of towering waterfalls, deep flower-filled valleys, large lakes, and colossal green peaks rising over one mile higher than the valley floor. This hidden treasure of Tahiti is the most suitable explored with a guided 4X4 safari, breathtaking helicopter tour, or on the hiking trip led by the naturalist. Adventurous travelers will cherish the exciting guided tours conducive into rugged interior. Stops normally include spectacular waterfalls and natural pools (some in which you can swim), mountain peaks with panoramic views, archeological sites , grottos, and lava tubes.
Tahiti has its share of museums and historic sites to check out. The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands is recognized as the most effective and quite a few beautiful museums inside the South Pacific. Polynesian history is carefully recorded and presented. Highlights include rare collections of art carvings and historical artifacts. European arrival is additionally presented and set into context. The Gauguin Museum is focused on Paul Gauguin’s life during his years on Tahiti plus the Marquesas, the museum sits from the beautiful Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens boasting exhibits and memorabilia from the late painter himself, including sketches, copies of documents , block prints, and reproductions of many of his most famous paintings.
The Pearl Museum is the only museum on earth devoted entirely to pearls. The presentations describe and demonstrate the and exercise of cultivating pearls as well as their place in art, history, mythology, and religion. The James Norman Hall Home celebrates certainly one of Tahiti’s most famous resident authors. Hall co-authored Mutiny on the Bounty and wrote a number of other fables from the South Seas. The home is carefully maintained because it was when Hall lived in Tahiti from 1920 to 1951. Visitors like to see his original writing desk, art collection, and library with well over 3,000 books. Guests are invited towards the garden tea room where refreshments are supplied beneath the shade of the giant mango tree.
Tahiti’s only greens, the Oliver Breaud International Golf Course is found on the southern side of Tahiti Nui. This 6944-yard, par 72 course features two man-made lakes and sprawling fairways. Formerly a cotton plantation, the course was recently renovated now includes a new clubhouse, driving range, pool, restaurant, pro shop, and tennis courts.
The area of Tahiti is perfect for both beginning and advanced divers. Highlights include shallow waters, oceanic drop-offs, sunken ships and planes, bright coral walls, and schools of smaller species.
For your horse enthusiast Tahiti has a variety of first-class riding stables. Experienced riders can saddle-up the island’s New Zealand and Marquesan horses, while private instruction is designed for the beginner. Rides out in the wild will often be accompanied by picnic lunches.
Bougainville Park, in the middle of the waterfront area, visitors locate a newly renovated and peaceful oasis. Crowned by way of a massive banyan tree, the park is termed in honor of the French explorer and navigator, Louis Antoine de Bougainville (1729-1811) and has running streams and lush vegetation. The Botanical Garden alongside the Gauguin Museum, this lush and manicured garden features countless types of tropical trees, plants, and flowers including bamboo, bananas, palms, and hibiscus. The backyard was originally planted by American botanist Harrison Smith who gone after Tahiti in 1919.
Other items and sites in Papeete and around the island include deep sea fishing, lagoon excursions on outrigger canoes or powerboats, Notre Dame Cathedral of Papeete, Papeete Town Hall, drive towards the Belvedere overlooking Papeete, 4X4 safari from Faa’a in to the high mountains, Tomb of Queen Pomare V and royal family, the Arahoho Blowhole, waterfalls and walking trails at Faarumai, Vaipahi Gardens, Maraa Fern Grotto, Marae Arahurahu, surfing sites at Teahupoo, Papara and Taapuna, guided hike up of Mt. Aorai, and guided hiking trips into the remote Pari region of Tahiti Iti.
Tahiti is a perfect tropical vacation destinations and easy Online Travel Booking is a great way to book your Travel Reservations and find discount travel to Tahiti.
Peter Diaz is president of VoyageMonkey.com Online Travel Booking and author of various published travel articles.
