|
This
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.
The
bustling port city of Papeete (pronounced "pah-pay-ay-tay") is
Tahiti's capital. The famous waterfront was recently renovated,
creating a lively boardwalk atmosphere for locals and visitors
alike. Vai'ete Square is the center of the excitement.
During the day Tahitian mamas sell their incredible
hand-made crafts. Music fills the air all day and into the
evenings, when gourmet catering trucks called
les roulottes
set up shop, offering delicious, low-cost meals ranging from
Chinese food to crèpes to steak sandwiches. Just footsteps away is
To'ata Square, a new concert venue that boasts a daily
crafts fair.
No
trip to Tahiti would be complete without a visit to Le Marché,
Papeete's open-air market. On the first floor you'll find fresh
flowers, fruit, vegetables, vanilla and brilliantly colored local
fish. The second floor is a souvenir hunter's paradise: here,
visitors can find genuine Marquesan wood carvings, tee-shirts, and
everything in between. Le truck,
the colorful, open-air bus, is a convenient and inexpensive way to
get around town.
Away
from the harbor, the scenery gradually turns to foothills tufted
with swaying coconut palms, waterfalls cascading through emerald
green valleys to cool mountain streams, and waves of pink
bougainvillaea. 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. |
