Driving back to Papeete, the first district following Taravao is called PAPEARI where the Gauguin Museum and the Botanical Garden are located. The museum includes several exhibits about the life of the great painter. Original work by Paul Gauguin is scarce there, but the visitor will better understand the painter’s life in the Po1ynesia that was so dear to his heart. The Botanical Garden was created at the beginning of the century by an American adventurer and early day ecologist named Harrison Smith. An impressive collection of tropical species, well guarded by two giant Galapagos tortoises, is offered to the visitor’s eyes. One kilometer further, the Gauguin Museum restaurant and its fish parks deserve to be seen.

The next district is Mataiea which, with Papeari, makes up the township of Teva i Uta, and offers an amazing display of vegetation to those willing to take the time to stop on the roadside. Seduced by the surrounding nature. Gauguin lived there for two years. At PK47.6, a trail follows the Vaihiria River leading to the lake bearing the same name. This trails lead to the center of the island and to the Papenoo Valley.

The circle island road then gets wider to reach the larger town of PAPARA. You first go through the Domain of Atimaono where Olivier Breaud’s International Golf Course is located on the site of a long time abandoned cotton and sugar cane plantation. This Domain is also one of the Territory’s' main vegetable farming area. As to the golf course, according to many foreign experts who tried its greens, it is one of the best in the world. Next to City Hall, the privately owned Musée des Coquillages (Shell Museum) features a few thousands species from the Polynesian seas. Leaving Papara and its beautiful black sand beaches, you can discover the greatest tropical flowers collection at Mataoa Garden open every day from 10am to 4pm, weekend from I.30pm to 4pm and you will reach the Maraa grottos at PK 28.7 next to a convenient parking lot in the middle of a well-maintained garden, is the underwater grotto of Paroa, the largest grotto in the area. The most daring may want to experience a very refreshing swim there.

Driving on, you reach PK 22.6 with the intersection leading to Marae Arahurahu, one of Polynesia’s most beautiful ancient ceremonial site. Every year in July, its awesome backdrop is the set of historical reenactments. The nearby Marae Taata, restored in 1973, also deserves a visit.

Leaving Paea, you arrive to the wealthy town of PUNAAUIA, Tahiti’s main residential area. On the beautiful piece of land of “La Pointe des Pêcheurs” (Fishermen’s Point) at PK 14.6 is the Museum of Tahiti and her Islands, which is essentially dedicated to Polynesian history and culture. At PK 11.400 the sea side, do not forget to visit the Lagoonorium : in a marine décor, you will see sharks, napoleon fishes, balistes, sea turtles, and many tropical fishes in their natural environment, shark feeding at noon. A fee is required for the visit. Tel. 43-62-90 (open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5PM. Dance shows at Captain Bligh restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays night. Tahiti’s major hotels are found in this area. The island’s only freeway, RT1 (Hwy 1), leads you directly to Papeete 9km (5.5 miles) away. If you use the circle island road to finish this tour of the island, you will drive through the town of FAAA, Tahiti’s most populated town. At PK 5.8, is Tahiti-Faaa International Airport, opened in 1960 and where over one million passengers go through each year The road continues to Papeete’s waterfront.