| The Society Islands, in the South Pacific, are a dream | | | | the islands, you may see locals out practicing for the |
| destination for cruising. Charter in this area and you will | | | | new found sport of outrigger canoe racing that has |
| feel like you have arrived at the center of Polynesian | | | | been resurrected from ancient times. |
| culture; for it is true: everyone does wear a flower | | | | Tahaa |
| behind their ear, dugout canoes with outriggers are | | | | The authentic flavor of Polynesia is truly found in the |
| often seen, a long wrap of stenciled fabric is | | | | reef enclosed Tahaa. With no airport, this round island |
| acceptable wear for both men and women, and | | | | with fjord-like inlets is accessible only by boat. It is often |
| singing and playing the ukulele is a daily pastime. Top | | | | called the Vanilla Island as it produces 80 percent of all |
| that with the fresh fish salad made with coconut milk | | | | vanilla in French Polynesia and its sweet scent |
| called Poisson Cru, and you will feel you have arrived | | | | perfumes the island breezes. The 42-mile coastal road |
| in the heart of heaven. | | | | weaves through small villages and into the hills, |
| Bora Bora, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Huahine are part of | | | | providing sweeping views of the indented bays. |
| the Windward Society Islands. To reach this area, fly | | | | Visitors enjoy the beautiful beaches, coral gardens and |
| into Papeete, Tahiti. From Papeete, there are constant | | | | small, sandy deserted motus. |
| domestic air flights throughout the area, to begin your | | | | Try to make time for a tour of a Vanilla Plantation, to |
| idyllic crewed yacht charter. Cruising is between lovely | | | | see how this rich spice grows and is harvested. Vanilla |
| atolls, with peaked volcanic land masses piercing | | | | is derived from the bean pod grown from the vanilla |
| through the clouds, surrounded by crystal clear water | | | | orchid. To grow the bean pod, each orchid must be |
| in lagoons filled with coral and marine life. | | | | pollinated by hand; a laborious but very interesting |
| Bora Bora | | | | process to create what is often called the "Black Gold" |
| Mystical, mythical Bora Bora is renowned for its | | | | of the islands. Many local products are made with the |
| spectacular scenery, romance and a brilliant blue | | | | vanilla pod, so you can bring home your own bit of |
| lagoon and reef that James Michener hailed the most | | | | Black Gold. |
| beautiful in the world. The island is an extinct volcano | | | | Tahaa has the only navigable river in French Polynesia, |
| that formed two towering black peaks of land. Many | | | | the Faaroa River, which cuts up through a gorge in the |
| visitors are drawn to the central lagoon, famed as a | | | | island. River tours are available via motorized canoes |
| great dive site with a variety of sharks, rays, and | | | | to see the natural wildlife, flora and fauna, alongside this |
| tropical fish. Those seeking expansive beaches will be | | | | river and in the interior of the island. |
| thrilled as while there are relatively few beaches on | | | | Open since 2002, Le Tahaa Resort and Spa strives to |
| the main island; there are miles of sandy cays along | | | | be the best resort in French Polynesia. Stop by for a |
| the reef line, with secluded beach areas, home only to | | | | cocktail, meal or even a spa treatment. Or begin or |
| sand crabs and palm trees that are ideal for a picnic | | | | end or charter there with your private yacht charter. |
| and shelling in complete privacy. However, it is the | | | | A sea turtle reserve is located in the Tahaa Lagoon, |
| stunning lagoon, a treasured feature that draws visitors | | | | where many species of sea turtles can be seen in |
| to swim, snorkel, dive, and windsurf. Surrounding the | | | | their natural habitat. And as always, look for the Black |
| island with shallow waters, that warm easily in the sun, | | | | Pearl Farms that always welcome visitors. |
| this lagoon area is filled with coral and marine life. | | | | Huahine |
| Other activities include a visit to Tiki Village, where | | | | Picturesque Huahine has many titles: "the secret island", |
| tourists can see traditional life in an authentically | | | | "the rebel island" and "the garden island" and each tell |
| recreated village. Visitors will see the making of the | | | | visitors what they'll encounter when they set foot on |
| crowns of flowers called lei as well as tattooing, | | | | this wild, interesting gem known for its past, fierce |
| carving and paraeo painting. The village also | | | | warriors, and its current resistance to change and |
| showcases a spectacular Polynesian dance and an | | | | relaxing ambiance. Huahine is off the tourist track and |
| island feast. For a once in a lifetime thrill, view shark | | | | still reflective of traditional Polynesian life. |
| feeding close up on the outer reef. Using a snorkel and | | | | Essentially, Huahine is an old volcano whose sunken |
| flippers visitors enter the water while Tahitian divers | | | | center was filled by the sea. Like Tahiti, the island |
| hand feed black-tip sharks. Helicopter sightseeing tours | | | | consists of two mountainous masses: the large |
| are available to view the multi hued lagoon and lushly | | | | Huahine Nui and the small Huahini Iti. The bays of |
| forested interior, and this is a wonderful opportunity to | | | | Maroe and Bourayne separate the two lands. The |
| closely look at Mount Otemanu. | | | | geographically diverse terrain includes long white sand |
| Visit the Bora Bora Lagoonarium where you will be | | | | beaches, fruit and vegetable groves, indented bays |
| given a mask and fins to swim in shallow waters | | | | and lush tropical foliage creating a jungle-like ambiance. |
| alongside a wide variety of tropical fish, rays and sand | | | | Huahine also boasts the Maeva marae, a well |
| sharks. Trained guides are there to help with any | | | | preserved archaeological site at the foot of Mount |
| questions and bread is available to feed the hungry | | | | Mouatapu and along the shores of Lake Fauna Nui. In |
| underwater life that will swim right to your side for a | | | | the narrow areas of the Lake you can see "V" |
| meal. | | | | shaped stone fishing traps believed to have been |
| On shore are various resorts offering cocktails or | | | | made centuries ago, however still in use by the locals |
| meals and numerous spas for a relaxing treatment | | | | today for fresh fish for dinner. |
| using local herbs and spices. In fact Bora Bora | | | | Huahine does have one main town, named Fare, with |
| probably has more resorts, all in a wide price range, | | | | a grocery store, main quay, several shops and |
| than any other island. Many have an area of shops, | | | | restaurants. In the evening, outdoor mobile restaurants |
| which are also found along the roadside, a large | | | | magically appear on the quay with little cooking |
| number of which feature Black Pearls. | | | | kitchens and folding tables and chairs, each serving |
| The famous restaurant Bloody Mary's is located along | | | | local foods. If you happen to be near Fare on days |
| the shore road, to dine sitting on coconut stumps set | | | | when the local supply vessel arrives, the harbor area |
| on a sand floor. Bloody Mary's always features the | | | | will be filled with bustling colorful activity. |
| local fresh caught "fish of the day", and of course, their | | | | A road circumnavigates both Huahine Nui and Huahine |
| signature drink, The Bloody Mary. | | | | Iti. While sometimes paved, sometimes dirt, it is worth a |
| Raiatea | | | | drive around to see the island. Huahine is a very fertile |
| Raiatea is known throughout the Society Islands as the | | | | island, perhaps because the name Huahine means |
| "Sacred Island" and cultural heart of this group. Uturoa | | | | "pregnant woman", which refers to the shape of the |
| is the largest city on Raiatea and home of the daily | | | | island as seen from afar. However most likely the |
| market, which is very colorful and well worth visiting. | | | | fertility of the soil is due to the volcanic origins of the |
| This bustling market place along the harbor starts at | | | | island. Huahine is home to plantations of taro, coffee, |
| sunrise with the fresh fish of the day, homemade | | | | vanilla and melons. In fact many of the cays along the |
| foods, fruits, pastries and local arts and crafts. | | | | surrounding barrier reef have fields of watermelon and |
| Wednesday and Fridays are the busiest as this is | | | | cantaloupe. |
| when vendors from the nearby island of Tahaa come | | | | While passing alongside the river, stop to see the |
| to the market to sell their wares. This is a good | | | | Sacred Blue Eels, part of Polynesian mythology. The |
| location for purchasing products locally made featuring | | | | eels, found only on Tahiti and Huahine, are from 3 - 6 |
| vanilla, coconut, and the Tiare flower. | | | | feet long and have eyes of a cold blue translucent |
| Many believe Raiatea to have been the cultural and | | | | color. Swimming in a shallow area of the river, these |
| religious center of the ancient Polynesian civilization. | | | | eels are accustomed to visitors and swim near for |
| Known then as Havai'i, this island is thought to be from | | | | any tasty food tidbits. |
| where Polynesians left to settle Hawaii, given the | | | | And as always, Huahine is home to a Black Pearl |
| same name as ancient Raiatea. There are many | | | | Farm, where visitors and shoppers are welcomed with |
| archaeological remains suggesting that this island was | | | | tours and information on the Black Pearl Farming |
| the most important in ancient times, which include one | | | | process, and cases with loose Black Pearls and Black |
| of largest and most well preserved ruins, the | | | | Pearl jewelry are for sale. |
| Taputapuetea Marea, an ancient religious center. | | | | After boarding in Bora Bora and cruising through |
| Wander the area yourself, or have a guided tour for | | | | Raiatea and Tahaa, and visiting Huahine, disembark in |
| full explanation of culture and history. | | | | Huahine for a return flight to Papeete. There are |
| Every October Raiatea is part of a 3 day canoeing | | | | frequent return domestic air flights available from |
| event called the Hawaiki Nui Va, with over 100 | | | | Huahine, to Papeete, Tahiti, for an international air flight |
| outrigger canoe teams racing between Huahine, | | | | home. |
| Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora. As you travel through | | | | |