Tahiti is a mountainous island dominated
by the peek of mount Orohena (2,241m) and standing alongside
the other famous silhouettes of Aorai (2,066 m), Diadem
(1,321 m), a name given by Dumont d'Urville, and mount Marau
(1,493 m). The capital city Papeete is situated on the northwest
coast with a harbor sheltered by reefs. The city of
Papeete,
which is the political and economic hear of the country,
stretches round a narrow coastal strip, and up the mountain
side in the north and in the west of the island that are
now being covered by luxury residences. In the form of a
huge circle, the big island Tahiti Nui is criss-crossed by deep, beautiful valleys and is connected to the equally
mountainous little Tahiti Iti, by narrow Taravao isthmus.
The mountains of Tahiti offer curious visitors charming
walks in natural valleys of light and shade in the cathedral
of fern trees. You will see impressive waterfalls and discover
mysterious grottoes and archaeological sites steeped in
legend.
Tourist Sites
The Market Place
The Papeete public market is in every sense the heart of
the city. Open daily from 5 AM to 6 PM, the market reaches
its peak of activity very early on Sunday mornings, when
Tahitian families come to shop for their Sunday lunch and
dinner. This is the perfect place for photographers.
The Black Pearl Museum
Papeete, Vaima center - Open everyday. A trip in space and
time to become familiar with pearl, and its famous cousin,
the famous pearl of Tahiti, in particular.
The Chinese Temple
Mamao Downtown - A Kanti temple has been improved by Chinese
community of Tahiti to remember their ancestors.
The Grave of King Pomare
Arue P.K. 5,3 - The grave had been built by the Queen, but
her son the King, preferred to keep it for himself. Therefore
he transferred the remains of the Queen to the family cemetery.
The Venus Point
Mahina P.K. 10 - A Lighthouse 32,85 meters high, built in
1867, is still operating. In 1797, the first protestant
missionaries arrived at this historic place. On June 3,
1769 at the same place, the astronomer Charles Green observed
the planet Venus passing in front of the sun.
The Blow Hole
Tiarei P.K. 22 - This natural curiosity is often seen on
Pacific islands of volcanic origin and is worth a stop.
The water, pushed by the waves, rushes with great force
through a tunnel in the rock. On its way out, it produces
a fountain, similar to that ejected by the whale.
Fa'arumai Waterfalls
Tiarei P.K. 22,1 - One quarter of a mile past the (Blow
Hole) a sign invites you to leave circle island road to
take a small road into the valley towards a bamboo forest
at the foot of a mountain. Leave your car in the parking
lot, cross the little bridge and follow a small shadowy
path. After a short walk, you will reach the first of three
beautiful waterfalls. Access to the two other cascades is
more difficult.
Anchorage of Bougainville
Hitia P.K. 37,6 - On April 6, 1768, two ships, the frigates
"Boudeuse" and the "Etoile" in command of the French navigator
cast anchor.
Plateau of Taravao
Affahiti P.K. 0,6 - After a four and a half mile drive,
you are at an altitude of 1,600 feet and you will hardly
believe you are in Polynesia, herds of cows graze peacefully
in high grass or idle lazily in the shade of big trees.
It is hard not to shoot some pictures of the incredible
view towards Tahiti Nui and the isthmus of Taravao.
Anchorage of Cook
Tautira P.K. 15,6 - A sheltered magnificent cove where the
captain Cook cast anchor in 1773.
Botanical Garden
Papeari P.K. 51,2 - This garden was created in 1919 by the
American botanist Harrison Smith. This man introduced 250
new species to Tahiti.
Gauguin Museum
Papeari P.K. 51,2 - Open everyday from 9 AM to 5 PM - The
museum was inaugurated in 1965. Many documents reconstitute
the work and life of Gauguin in Tahiti and the Marquesas.
Vaipahi Garden and Waterfalls
Papeari P.K. 49 - You will a path which leads you across
a magnificent garden in which varieties of endemic plants
are growing and where a waterfall is flowing tirelessly...
At the seaside, you'll enjoy the picnic area specially
converted for a break.
Sheel Museum
Papara P.K. 36 - Open everyday except Monday - This unique
museum presents a thousand kind of shells and also multicolored
tropical fishs in an aquarium.
Maraa Cave
Paea P.K. 28,5 - Permanent infiltration have formed a lake
of cool, black water which creates an optical illusion.
The cave appears to be even smaller than what it is in reality.
Deceived by this illusion, try to throw stones across to
the other end of the cave. However, despite all their efforts,
the stones only make it halfway across.
Marae Arahurahu
Paea P.K. 22,5 - The marae is a construction of dry stones.
It was a place of warship to gods. It was also a place where
important events had been held such as : enthronement of
the king, council of war, wedding, celebration of a victory...
The marae is situated in a pretty valley and historical
enactments are planned regularly on this historic place.
Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands
Punaauia P.K. 15,7 - Open everyday except on Monday - Traditional
Polynesian history, culture and ethnology brought together
in an exceptional museum.
Lagoonarium
Punaauia P.K. 11,5 - In underwater corals, illuminated at
night, you can observe the most beautiful samples of Polynesia's
sea world. Shark feeding every day at noon except on Monday.
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