Archive for the ‘Latest News’ Category

The city of Punauia will host the feast of the orange on the 26th and 27th June. This city is considered as the Orange stronghold of Tahiti.

Two days of festivities is not enough to commemorate this legendary fruit. The fruits pickers leave at the beginning of the week for the “Plateau of Oranges” ; they are welcomed on friday by the major and villagers of the town where they admire those men, often carrying more than 100 pounds over their shoulders!

The remainder of the week-end will be more festive: tahitian dancing, exhibition of the oranges, traditional sports competition (stone lifting, fruit carrier race, Va’a race…), open water fishing contest and a concert to top it all off!

So, let the party begin!

The ukulele is an instrument that appeared in the late 19th century. It was first introduced by the Portuguese and Spanish immigrants on the islands of Hawaii.

The third Ukulele Festival which took place in Tahiti ended Saturday night. About 20 persons joined together to attend the event.

Air Tahiti Nui has launched the operation “Tahitian Vanilla Flavor” and offers during the week of June 15th to 19th original menus based on the famous Tahitian vanilla for passengers of all classes, thirteen flights to Tahiti.

Passengers will be pleased to discover that their plates of food are more fragrant than the others. From appetizer to dessert there are vanilla queen prawns and swordfish with vanilla, toasted sandwiches with vanilla cream and mango marmalade, bread opera or the traditional vanilla sorbet with vanilla …

In addition, passengers will be offered as a souvenir a Tahitian vanilla bean that will delight their taste buds with its enchanting fragrance …

Beyond the sheer pleasure of the senses, recent studies on the Orchidaceae recall that the Tahitian Vanilla has a unique variety, recognizable to the particular nuances of aniseed scent.

Crédit: Christian DUROCHER

The 128th Heiva I Tahiti opened on the 5th of June in the Paofai gardens of Papeete.

The organizing committee wanted this event to be different from the previous years and had 300 dancers who gave a magnificent performance!

The choreographer this year honored the older dances, something that hasn’t been done since the 1960’s.

It is a great moment for all the competitors and the public who could see the show before the dance competition opening Mid July.

>> Come and live a uniquely cultural experience…

You are dreaming of the Bora Bora lagoon and its magnific underwater fauna ?

Do you know you can make a romantic ballad in an underwater bubble with your lover? It’s a new concept which will delight submarine fans.

>>> Follow the guide !

Chris Sullivan, a New-Yorker beat boxer, known as « Shockwave », arrived on May 24th in Tahiti.

He received a warm welcome to the beat of the drums of the Marquisian group “Takitoa”!The first encounter was very intense, with an impressive demonstration of Marquisia Haka.  But the best is yet to come!On the occasion of the Elite Show which will take place on Friday, May 28 at the Sofitel Tahiti Maeva Beach Resort, Shockwave and Takitoa will perform together to create an exceptional and new show: a musical dialog between human beatbox and Polynesian music.

A “Must See” !

 The city of Papeete is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year.

Crédit: GIE Tourisme - Kirkland

Many cultural and sporting events were organized during the week of May 17^th through the 23^rd such as folkloric and traditional dances, singing competitions, dugouts races, swimming races and a marathon. There was an exhibition entitled “Papeete, testimony of another time” at the city hall. All events were aimed at promoting the Papeete of yesterday and today, for the Tahitians and the visitors.

2010 is the ideal year to discover the Papeete, its history, its treasures and all its mysteries…

>> Come to discover Tahiti and all its mysteries…

Newlyweds enjoying the view from their private overwater bungalow at the Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort

Is wedding planning taking a toll on your relationship (and your sanity)? Relax, it’s natural to feel stressed out by the whirlwind of activity leading up to one of the most momentous days of your life. But once the cake has been served and your guests have left, you deserve a dream honeymoon to help unwind and celebrate. If your ultimate romantic getaway involves warm tropical breezes, sandy secluded beaches and romantic huts over the water then Tahiti (French Polynesia) is where you want to be. Here’s 5 essential tips to help you have the romantic and relaxing Tahitian honeymoon you’ve always dreamed of:

1. Leave your heavy sweaters and coats at home: Blessed with warm tropical weather year-round, Tahiti makes for an ideal destination any time of the year. The islands generally experience two seasons: from June-October when the climate is cooler and drier with average temperatures in the low 80’s and from November-May when the weather is warm and humid with average temperatures in the mid 80’s. Pack light and dress comfortably.

2. Get off the main island: The group of South Pacific Polynesian islands often referred to as “Tahiti” (though officially named “French Polynesia”) is made up of 121 exotic atolls and islands including such gems as Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine and Rangiroa. After exploring Tahiti Island and its capital, Papeete, be sure to venture off the beaten track and explore some of the nearby islands for more seclusion and romance. There are seemingly endless pristine white sand beaches, underwater caves, lush waterfalls and coral reefs for you and your partner to discover together.

3. Experience something truly spectacular: What better way to kick off your marriage than by creating memories to last a lifetime? Share a new adventure together by taking advantage of Tahiti’s unforgettable activities such as snorkeling, scuba, shark-diving, surfing, mountain trekking or staying in an overwater bungalow. You’ll return home with not only fond memories to cherish but also great stories to share with your friends and family.

4. Take time to do nothing at all: Life on the islands moves at a remarkably slow pace. Make sure to chill out, relax, unwind, go with the flow and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Awaken and indulge your senses to the breathtaking bouquet of colors, scents, sounds, textures and flavors that surround you. Enjoy having breakfast in bed delivered to your hut by canoe, sip a fruity cocktail poolside or treat yourself to a full-body massage. Lounging lazily and gazing at the sea never felt so sublime.

5. Bring a copy of your marriage certificate: Nearly all of Tahiti’s resorts, hotels, restaurants and local vendors offer extra perks and discounts for newlyweds. Be sure to bring a copy of your marriage certificate to take advantage of these exclusive discounts and free upgrades.

Don’t let a lack of preparation spoil your honeymoon in paradise. Keep these 5 simple tips in mind and your Tahitian honeymoon is sure to be an idyllic and unforgettable adventure for you and your spouse to cherish forever.

Have you ever looked at a pearl? No, I mean really held one up close to your eye and examined it in bright, natural lighting? If so, then you’ve been treated to one of mother nature’s most spectacular displays of brilliant light, lustre, color, shape and texture gloriously captured in an organic gem roughly the size of a humble pea. It’s no wonder then that pearls have been highly valued and associated with classical elegance, romance and timeless beauty throughout the ages and among cultures spanning the globe. Here’s a brief snippet on pearls and their rise to the center stages of luxury and fashion:

• Cleopatra the last Egyptian queen is said to have dissolved a single pearl in a glass of wine and drank it to prove that she could consume the wealth of an entire country in one meal.
• Roman statues of goddesses including Venus were commonly decorated with magnificent pearl earrings and Caligula the Roman emperor wore pearl studded sandals and adorned his favorite horse with a pearl necklace.
• Possibly the oldest pearl necklace in existence, an exquisite 3-stranded necklace with 216 pearls was discovered inside a queen’s tomb in the ancient Persian city, Susa, dating back to the 7th-9th century B.C. This masterpiece has been on display in the Louvre Museum for over 100 years.
• Elizabeth the I of England was famously portrayed in a long, pearl-studded dress.
• European royalty developed an insatiable demand for pearls and lavishly wore them as jewelry, in crowns, dangling from ropes and embroidered on clothes between the 17th and 19th century.
• Jacque Cartier traded 2 pearl necklaces for his landmark store on New York’s famous Fifth Avenue in 1916.
• Iconic figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Louise Kelly epitomized modern beauty and glamor by wearing elegant pearl strands in the 1960’s.
• Today, pearl jewelry is commonly featured on runways and in photo shoots by major fashion labels such as Dolce & Gabanna, Christian Dior, Oscar De La Renta and Georgio Armani.

Do you have any prized pearl jewelry pieces in your collection? What outfits or occasions accentuate them best for you?

*We’ll be giving away an exquisite Tahitian Black Pearl Necklace valued at $7,500 within the next couple weeks. Check back at www.YesTahiti.com for contest details.

Tahitian cuisine artfully blends French culinary traditions with exceptionally fresh seafood and locally-grown tropical fruits and vegetables such as taro, breadfruit, sweet potato, coconut, papaya and vanilla beans. Poisson Cru, a refreshing mixture of diced raw fish, tomato, cucumber and onion, marinated in lime juice and coconut-milk – similar to Latin ceviche or Hawaiian poke but with the addition of coconut milk and a shorter marinating time – is often touted as Tahiti’s national dish. Although it makes for a delectable introduction to French Polynesian cuisine however, hungry travelers shouldn’t stop there. Tahiti and her islands offer a world of authentic flavors and local favorites that you won’t find on hotel restaurant menus. Here’s a few tips on what, where and how to eat like a local in French Polynesia.

A general rule of thumb when dining abroad is to eat where you see the locals eating. In the neighborhoods around Papeete, you can find congregations of food trucks known as Les Roulettes offering inexpensive meals and snacks such as crepes, Chinese food, Steak Frites, pasta, roasted pork, grilled seafood and fresh nutella waffles. Although certainly a no-frills dining experience, you can plop down in a shady spot by the harbor to enjoy your meal while people watching and taking in the sights. The affordable prices and relaxed atmosphere attract tourists and locals alike late into the night.

For a traditional Tahitian dining experience, attend a special Ahima’a (earth oven) feast, which rural households typically prepare for large family gatherings on Sundays. Preparation of the oven begins with a wood-fire, which is then covered with porous volcanic rock and left to heat until glowing red. Fish, chicken, pork, taro, breadfruit, sweet potato and other ingredients wrapped in coconut-leaf baskets are placed on the stones and covered with layers of banana leaves and sand to trap the heat. The meal is left underground to grill, braise and steam for 3-4 hours before being served on traditional wood plates and eaten with bare hands. For dessert, Poe, a sweet taro pudding flavored with banana, vanilla, papaya or pumpkin and topped with coconut milk is typically served.

Interestingly, one food that you’ll find in most local households but not on restaurant menus is Punu Pua’atoro, canned corned beef or the Tahitian equivalent to Spam. It’s typically pan fried or grilled with onions and served with roasted breadfruit. Crisp, salty and fatty like bacon or sausage, Punu Pua’atoro certainly isn’t the healthiest option but it’s widely enjoyed and deeply revered by the locals. Another French Polynesian specialty you won’t often find in restaurants is, Fafaru, thinly-sliced raw fish marinated in mitiafafaru (fermented seawater) and served with mitihue (fermented coconut milk sauce).

Whether you prefer fine dining, family feasts or street foods, one thing’s for sure: French Polynesian cuisine is best enjoyed in a casual setting by the sea amongst friends and family.  Bon Appetit!

*Check out our 9 Days in Bora Bora package which includes FREE breakfast and dinner daily!