French Polynesia: Experience Paradise on Earth
When you are tired of weekdays and their grayness is unbearable, fly to the edge of the Earth quickly - know paradise on Earth. Have you ever imagined heaven?
Of course you did. Coconut palms, tropical lagoons with crystal clear waters and snow-white beaches. That must be what it looks like: the islands of French Polynesia.
Rest here is available all year round, because it is a paradise and there is always comfortable weather. The average temperature is 27 degrees. It is not hot, because the sea breeze blows. From March to November, the dry and cool season, from December to February - hot and humid, it is at this time that exotic flowers are especially pleasing to the eye.
Of the 118 islands in the archipelago, the most popular are Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Basic tours, which are offered by various companies, paint a promising picture of rest on the islands and are individual in nature, that is, adapt to any whim.
On the main and largest island of Tahiti, you can stay at the five-star hotel Le Méridien Tahiti with amazing sea views, Manava Suite Resort Tahiti (4 stars) with free Wi-Fi, Farehau a couple of minutes drive from the airport.
Tahiti is a mountainous island of volcanic origin, the highest is the volcano Orohena - 2241 meters above sea level. This is where international surfing competitions take place. You can go diving and swim with parrot fish, clown fish, surgeon fish, flying fish, giant turtles and sharks, explore sunken ships. From July to October, whales are shown in all their glory in this region.
The Black Pearl Museum is located on the island, where you will learn not only about the history and technique of production, but also about myths, philosophical and religious significance. In the Tahiti Museum you will get acquainted with the history of the islands and the fearless sailors who conquered the Pacific Ocean. There is a museum of Paul Gauguin, which presents documents, photographs, reproductions, bleached from time sketches and paintings of the famous artist.
In the Papeete market you will find unprecedented fruits and an abundance of flowering orchids. You can purchase colorful pareos and cute traditional trinkets. You can take a picture.
To the island of Moorea from Tahiti you will take a catamaran. You can stay at the five-star Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa or InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa (4 stars). In addition to the opportunity to soak up on the beach, you will find diving, windsurfing, swimming with a mask and fishing. The InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa is home to the Sea Turtle Protection Center, a spa center and its own dolphins that you can swim with. Meet other inhabitants of the depths: barracudas, electric stingrays, moray eels, lemon, reef and gray sharks. For tourists, jeep safaris and golf are available for an additional fee.
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Tiki Village - a replica of the village of ancient Polynesians - is a local landmark and simultaneously a bright cultural event. Visiting there in the evening leaves no one indifferent. Not only will you learn about the customs of the ancestors of the indigenous population and learn to tie pareos in different ways, but you will also be bewitched by the national dances, which last about an hour.
Bora Bora, which you fly to by plane, will meet you with a traditional scattering of bungalows on stilts directly above the turquoise waters of the lagoons. This island is fenced off from the ocean by coral reefs and is the jewel of French Polynesia. The highest mountain is Otemanu (727 meters). There are such comfortable hotels as TheSt.Regis Bora Bora (5 stars), InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana (4 stars) and others.
Because of the magical beauty of the coral gardens Bora Bora attracts diving lovers. For a fee, you will have a tour around the island, a tour of the lagoon on a submarine, a cruise on a luxury yacht. You will visit the lagoonarium, feed the sharks, go on a helicopter tour. You can ride a water bike, a quad bike, go fishing, play tennis and golf.
On Bora Bora there are no private beaches and you choose any beach to your taste and soak up there in the sun, blown by a pleasant sea breeze, delight. Is that not happiness?
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Couples in love on the islands are waiting for a Polynesian wedding ceremony on the beach with bright flowers and palm leaves. The bride and groom are wrapped in a large handmade tablecloth, they exchange vows and receive Tahitian names. Their hands are tied with leaves and poured coconut juice or sea water from the shell as a symbol of blessing. Newlyweds can rent a small desert island where no one will disturb them.
From Russia to this magical land can be reached from Moscow through Los Angeles or from Sheremetyevo airport through Tokyo. And from there by plane to the airport in Papeete, Tahiti. A Russian citizen receives a visa at the consulate of France, however, it does not give the right to move around the Schengen area.
Text: Julia Shchepeleva
Photo: atlastravelweb, booking, tripadvisor, paks