Our Honeymoon: French Polynesia
French Polynesia:
Tahiti (French Polynesia) is many islands, actually several groups of volcanic peaks and atolls spreading over hundreds of miles of ocean. Each island possesses its own unique flavor and charms, from the broad lagoon of Rangiroa to the bustling marketplace of Papeete. Thanks to their geography, spectacular mountain peaks, the lush vegetation, and the clearest water anywhere, the islands of Tahiti are the most beautiful in the world.
The islands of French Polynesia are located halfway between Australia and the Americas: 3,085 miles E of Sydney and 3,714 SW of Los Angeles. French Polynesia comprises one coral archipelago and four volcanic archipelagoes whose high islands, except for the Marquesas, are surrounded by a more or less regular coral reef usually cut by passes.
The volcanic Society Islands are divided into the Windward and Leeward islands. A volcanic island appears when a sub-marine volcano erupts ejecting lava and material in such quantity that it rises above sea level. Volcanic islands have points that easily reach several thousand feet. The Windward Islands, the most populated, include the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Maiao and Mehetia, as well as the atoll of Tetiaroa. The Leeward Islands, more than 200 km west of Tahiti, include the islands of Raiatea (the largest), Bora Bora, Maupiti, Huahine, and Tahaa.
Moorea
Many people have described Moorea as the most beautiful place on earth, and it’s this magical island that inspired James Michener to write about mythical "Bali Hai." Moorea is only 11 miles from Tahiti, and one of the features that is so striking about this island is the jagged peaks and spires that give the island its unique profile. The volcanic peaks, reflected in the tranquil waters of Cook’s bay and Opunohu’s bay, rise like a shark’s jaw from the island’s basaltic base and reach into the clouds. Geologists speculate that thousands of years ago, the northern rim of the volcano either fell into the sea or was blown away by a volcanic explosion, leaving the heart-shaped island of today. The south rim of the ancient volcano makes up the mountain range on Moorea. At 3,959 ft., Tohiea is the highest pike. Others include Moua Puta (the mountain with a hole) at 2,722 ft., Rotui at 2,624 ft., and Moua Roa (Bali Hai from the film South Pacific) at 2,499 ft. Mt. Mouaroa is the mountain that is commonly referred to as the "shark’s tooth." It is frequently depicted on post cards and is the image on one side of the 100 CFP coin. This unique geology forms spectacular two bays, Opunohu Bay on the west side of Mt. Rotui and Cook’s Bay on the east side. Below, valleys are blanketed with the colors and white sand beaches border magnificent crystalline lagoons. Moorea’s lagoon, along with Bora Bora’s, is one of the most beautiful in the Society Islands, and harbors 3 "motus" (small islands).
Bora-Bora
Bora Bora is situated 155 miles to the northeast of Tahiti (at latitude 16o 30’ south and longitude 151o 45’ west). Bora Bora was formed around seven million years ago. Of volcanic origin, the composition is essentially a main island 6 miles long by 2 ½ miles wide, with a central mountain chain dominated by the summits of Mount Otemanu (2,384 ft.) and the double peaked Mount Pahia (2,030 ft.) Separated from the principle island by a deep lagoon, is the small island of Toopua and the islet of Toopua Iti. The three islands are the eroded remnants of the slopes of a crater, enclosing the central part of an ancient volcano. The coast of the main island is deeply jagged and bordered by a fringing reef that disappears in the southern part to give way to the magnificent white sand beaches of Taahana and Matira.
Taha'a
Enclosed within the same barrier reef as Raiatea is the small island of Tahaa, located across the lagoon and only two miles north of Uturoa. Tahaa has no airport and is only accessible by boat. It is a round island with fjord-like inlets. Tahaa is often called the Vanilla Island for its numerous plantations of this black gold. The rich and puissant aroma of vanilla perfumes the breeze as you drive around the 42 mile coastal road, through small villages and up into the hills for panoramic views of the deeply indented bays all around the island. Tahaa produces about 80% of all vanilla in French Polynesia. While fishing and farming are its main livelihoods, what seduces visitors are its pretty beaches, coral gardens, and the sandy motus which pepper the lagoon it shares with Raiatea.