Posts Tagged ‘yestahiti’

5 archipels, 5 different hidden paradises

Seemingly lost in the legendary shadow of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea are the “Hidden Paradise” islands of Tahiti – Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, the Tuamotu atolls, and the Marquesas islands. Relatively unchanged by the modern world and long considered some of Tahiti’s “best kept secrets,” these islands and atolls lure travelers looking for an authentic Polynesian experience enhanced by world-class resorts, with international cuisine and pure uncrowded beaches.

In the lagoon of Huahine

Huahine, nicknamed the “Garden of Eden” : the magic of Huahine can be felt instantly upon arrival, and the proud locals do theirbest to make all visitors feel welcome. A road winds through the island, passing through small villages and climbing high into the hills for spectacular views of the brilliant turquoise lagoons. Restored Tahitian “marae” (temples) and centuries-old stone fish traps reflect the island’s ancient culture and proud descendants who still reside in this magnificent paradise. International surfing champions seek the world-class waves at Avamoa Pass, and the world’s largest outrigger canoe race, the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, begins here each October. Huahine is sparsely populated, and visitors will fall in love with the remote, unspoiled scenery and relaxed pace of this island.

Raiatea and Taha’a, are two islands that are encircled by the same barrier reef.

On the "marae" of Taputapuatea

Raiatea, “The Sacred Island”, may be the most revered island in all the South Pacific. Historically, kings from the neighboring islands would gather at Marae Taputapuatea for important ceremonies and negotiations. Re-enactments of these ceremonies on the restored marae help visitors discover the Tahitian culture. Raiatea has the only navigable river in the islands, the Fa’aroa, and popular excursions include exploring its cool, green waters in an outrigger canoe.

The Pacific breezes and calm lagoons provide ideal conditions year-round for sailing and deep-sea fishing. On the slopes of Mt. Temehani, visitors can discover the Tiare Apetahi, a rare flower that is found only on this particular mountain in Raiatea. Botanists have unsuccessfully tried to grow it elsewhere.

Traditionnal canoe in the lagoon of Taha'a

Taha’a, “The Vanilla Island”, offers a glimpse of the traditional, tranquil life of Tahitians. The 4,000 residents fish from thelagoon and raise livestock. Taha’a is called “The Vanilla Island” for its many plantations of this sought-after spice, which sweetens the island air with its rich aroma. Each November, Taha’a comes alive with a Stone Fishing tournament. In the method of their ancestors, the villagers wade into the lagoon, beating the water with stones tied to ropes. The frenzy frightens the schools of fish, driving them ashore, where they are easily collected for a feast.

The Tuamotu Atolls: Tahiti’s Strand of Pearls

The Tuamotu atolls, the largest of the Polynesian archipelagos, are located northeast of Tahiti and include 76 islands and atolls spread over more than 7500 square miles. Four of these islands – Rangiroa, Manihi, Tikehau, Fakarava – offer a host of lodging options and exciting activities, including world-class scuba diving, horseback riding, shark feeding and deep-sea fishing.

Rangiroa is one of the best diving spots in the world

Rangiroa is the world’s second largest atoll. From the air it appears as a large pearl necklace gently placed on the water. Known as “The Infinite Lagoon,” Rangiroa’s coral ring creates a seemingly endless display of deep turquoise and lapis blue. Because there’s no island runoff, the visibility in the lagoon is over 150 feet and the temperature a constant 80 degrees.

The famous Tiputa Pass, which provides an opening to the ocean, is rich with sea life. It’s known as one of the world’s greatest shark dives, and those who “shoot the pass” find themselves in the deep blue with literally scores of gray, black-tip, white-tip, lemon and nurse sharks. Non-divers can try some world-class snorkeling and see schools of dolphins that gather in the pass. For the true adventurer, a two-hour boat ride across the lagoon leads to the Kia Ora Sauvage, a luxurious way to “rough it.” There’s no electricity at this remote property, but it offers spectacular scenery and complete solitude. Torchlit nights add to its exotic and romantic appeal.

Motu in the atoll of Manihi

Manihi is a small atoll with less than 1,000 residents. Called “The Pearl Island,” this atoll was the site of the first pearl farm that helped pave the way for pearl faming throughout the Tuamotu atolls. The black-lipped oysters, found only in Tahiti, are cultivated for their prized black pearls. Visitors can enjoy lagoon activities while exploring the many black pearl farms for which the island is known.

Located about 10 miles from Rangiroa is the secluded island of Tikehau. Known as “The Pink Sand Island,” this oval-shaped atoll is an important supplier of fresh fish and copra. Tikehau boasts exotic pink sand beaches and an abundance of sea life that make it a must for scuba divers. In Tuheiava pass, diving enthusiasts can closely observe manta rays, barracuda, tuna, sea turtles, and gray and white-tipped sharks. This diverse island is also home to a number of bird colonies that have sought refuge on the aptly named “Isle of Birds” motu. This protected islet is well-known for its red-footed gannets and brown noddies.

Fakarava, “The Dream Island”, is the second largest atoll in Tahiti after Rangiroa. This protected atoll, along with its six neighboring islands, is under consideration to become a UNESCO nature reserve. The delicate ecosystem supports especially rare flora and fauna, including the hunting kingfisher, the Tuamotu palm, and sea life such as squills and sea cicadas. Fakarava also contains one of the first Catholic churches constructed in Tahiti. Located in the ancient village of Tetamanu, this structure is built primarily of coral and dates back to 1862.

Landscape of Nuku Hiva

The Marquesas: The Mysterious Islands

The Marquesas islands are located about 930 miles northeast of Tahiti. About a 3.5-hour flight from the capital city of Papeete, the 12 islands (six inhabited, six unpopulated) offer some of Tahiti’s most dramatic scenery and authentic experiences. These islands have no lagoons and feature dense jungles with 1,100-foot-high waterfalls and sheer cliffs. There are only five flights a week from Papeete to the Marquesas. Some visitors opt to arrive via the Aranui 3, a working cargo/copra ship that accommodates 200 passengers. The Marquesas is where Herman Melville jumped ship, and where Paul Gauguin came to paint and retire. The most populated islands, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa, offer lodging in small hotels and pensions.

>> Live your dream by discovering Tahiti’s hidden paradises

Esquire’s “Guide to International Eating” recommends Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora!

“If you can’t find yourself in French Polynesia, at least you can lose yourself there. Best approach is to book passage on the small luxury liner Paul Gauguin, have breakfast served on your balcony by your butler, then disembark. On Bora Bora, rent a car, drive along the ocean road, and ask where the seaside eatery La Villa Mahana (“the house of sunshine”) is. Enjoy the fried mahi mahi topped with chopped raw onions and tomatoes over a coconut milk sauce with a side of French fries, or the suckling pig from the sandpit. Then take your food outside to watch the afternoon rainfall, and afterwards go swimming… Come back to the ship, nurse a few Tahitian Hinano beers and dine at Le Grill, the most casual of the three restaurants, on the top deck open to the island breezes, and feast on Polynesian poisson cru consisting of raw tuna, lime juice, coconut juice, baby ginger, tomato, and raw onion.”

[Source : Eat pray love Tour]

>> Read more…

>> Discover Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora

Official poster of our Facebook fan club "Wanna Have a Break in Bora Bora"

      Yestahiti Company is the first travel agency in Tahiti and her islands. It offers you a variety of vacation deals in the 118 islands of French Polynesia! With more than 40 years of experience and excellent relationship with its guests and partners, Yestahiti is ready to give you the best trip you’ll ever have!

            You wanna taste Tahiti and her islands before living your dream? In partnership with Tahiti Pearl Market, the biggest producer of black pearls in French Polynesia, we’re launching a game to win a Tahitian black pearl necklace valued at $7500 (USD). This necklace is made of 37 Tahitian black pearls; each of those pearls has unique colors and a diameter of 11mm. Our game is open to all countries of the world. The purpose of our game is for you to share our Facebook fan group with the maximum of your Facebook friends. You are able to sponsor (invite) your friends to participate on our game. You’ll earn points every time one of your friends will join our fan group. The person who’ll have the highest number of points on May 31^st 2010 will win our necklace.

             To play and win this $7500 Tahitian black pearl necklace, click here!               

            Some steps and infos that will help you understand our game system. By clicking on our link above, you’ll be redirected to our facebook page on the “1-SUBSCRIBE” tab, read the guidelines and follow them. You’ll be able to sponsor a maximum of 8 friends per day. Our tip! Come back on our facebook page on the ”2-PLAY” tab to sponsor 8 friends everyday! Your friends give you points! So, Boost them!

              On behalf of Tahiti and her islands, we wish you good luck on our game!

Take care until we meet you in our islands

Pearls have infinite colours!

            In the past Tahitians only found pearls in oysters that they had originally collected for many different purposes. Inhabitants of Tahiti and her islands collected these oysters so they could use it shells for buttons and if they were lucky it would be gifted with a unique find, a fine pearl. These pearls were of a high rarity and so were very costly.

            The legend goes that Cartier, at the end of the 19th century, bought the building in which it is located currently on 5th Avenue in New York, by selling a single necklace of black pearls. It shows how high valued Tahitian Black Pearls were already 200 years ago.

            Adventure novels are awash with stories that speak of pearls and their mysterious charms … Jack London, Hermann Melville, John Steinbeck, Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry de Monfreid, Albert Londres, have all written captivating stories about pearls.

The symbol of elegance and beauty througout the world: The Tahitian Black Pearl

            If numerous legends attribute mysterious origins to the pearl, a teardrop of a rose that fell into an open shell the night of a full moon, or tears of a goddess … the reality is a little more mundane, its is more likely the intrusion of a grain of sand that the oyster tries to isolate by creating a layer of mother of pearl around the intrusion or that of a little worm that perforates the shell thus creating a pearl.

            In any case, it is often stated that you would have to open 15 to 20 000 oysters just to find a single natural pearl.