Page 163 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Islands of Tahiti —— Tahiti —— Islands of Tahiti —

PAPEETE

Papeete is the bustling capital of disco and jazz compete with the selling pareus, tifaifai quilts, cushion
of Tahiti and her islands, and pulsating rhythm of the tamure, Tahiti’s covers and other handicrafts.
contains the government offices, tantalising national dance. Papeete offers a wide range of activities
gendarmerie, hospitals, clinics, Renowned for their natural grace, innate for the traveller, spanning the larger
banks, telecommunications pride, gentle beauty and warm hospitality, island of Tahiti Nui as well as Tahiti
centres, airline, travel agencies, the Tahitians know how to live. Iti, joined to the main island by the
boutiques and black pearl shops. isthmus of Taravao. Helicopter and
Music, flowers, dance and song make
With a distinct colonial feel, Papeete’s up an important part of their lives and plane tours offer a great way of seeing
the two islands. The 4WD tours around
CBD is designed for walking despite the dominate the annual Heiva I Tahiti the island provide a more complete view
city’s rapid growth in recent years. festival. This very popular celebration is of the islands. Explore the breathtaking
also called the Tahiti Festival and is held
The city curves along the Boulevard Papenoo Valley and enjoy a swim in one
Pomare waterfront and sprawls several each July. of its many waterfalls, visit the Vaihiria
blocks inland. The sleepy ‘Papeete town’ Traditional Polynesian competitions Lake and the many maraes (Polynesian
of years gone by has been replaced with are held alongside European sports and temples). Take a leisurely bushwalk into
a modern municipality, which hums Asiatic arts so that a festive carnival tropical jungle featuring giant ferns at an
with business and trade activity, with a atmosphere pervades Papeete for the altitude of 1400 metres or climb Mount
healthy dose of camaraderie. entire month. Marau for a spectacular view of Tahiti’s
neighbouring islands.
Cargo freighters, copra ships, luxury Papeete Public Market or Le Marché is
liners and sailing yachts share the the heart of the city, providing a central Tahiti also has a wide range of activities
harbour where ‘people-watching’ for marketplace for local Tahitian families. to keep the most active traveller
travellers and residents alike from the It is also a photographer’s delight, with entertained, with hang gliding, bowling
many outdoor cafés and bars is still one colourful displays of ripe fruit, together and tennis, deep-sea fishing, sailing,
of the most popular pastimes. surfing, and scuba diving, windsurfing,
with chinese vegetables, strings of
The social set like to linger at lunch, brightly coloured fish, farm fresh meats, jet-skiing, waterskiing and snorkelling.
share the latest gossip and watch as squealing pigs and noisy ducks. The island’s mountainous interior
gaily painted pareu and tifaifai bed A stunning selection of tropical flowers provides challenging and unusual
covers are sold at sidewalk tables, is on sale year-round, including orchids, trekking tours into valleys and up
amidst the laughing atmosphere of the anthuriums, marigolds and daisies, red mountains, as well as discovering lava
Tahitian artisans. tubes, burial caves and hidden grottoes.
ginger and jasmine, as well as locally The islands of Moorea, Bora Bora and
Papeete comes alive at night when night- made shell necklaces, woven hats and Tetiaroa are also all close enough for a
clubs swing into action and the sounds baskets. Upstairs is reserved for artisans day trip from Tahiti.

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