VIDEO OF THE WEEK: ANGELS IN PARADISE

BORA BORA, HEAVEN ON EARTH?

@Mota-ru

Bora Bora needs no introduction. Novelist James Michener described Bora Bora as the most beautiful island in the world and the "Pearl of the Pacific" is considered one of the most desirable and romantic islands to visit. Its very name induces a state of intense reverie and visitors often lack the words to describe the feeling of awe that overwhelms them when arriving in this mythical island.

@Tim-mckenna.com

According to the legend, "Pora Pora" (the first born in Tahitian) is believed to be the first island to have risen from the waters after the creation of Raiatea. It seems that its ancient name, "Mai Te Pora", meaning created by the Gods, predestined the island to greatness.

@Gina Bunton

How do you describe paradise? A place of timeless enchanting beauty, this volcanic island with a palm-fringed coral reef that forms a lagoon of crystal clear water where a myriad of multi-coloured fish play, unaware of the curious visitors.

@Chris Mclennan Photography

The island is a 50 minute flight from Tahiti and you will first discover its beauty when landing at the airport which has been built on motu Mute, a small islet off the main land. A boat shuttle will take you to your hotel or to the main land where your paradisiac holiday can start. 

@Gina Bunton

Time will stop once you land and you will wish you had more time to enjoy the magic of the island. Whether you dream of a romantic hideaway, an unforgettable experience, an escape to your own tropical paradise or an exotic adventure, Bora Bora will fulfill your dreams.

@Gina Bunton

Just take the time to breathe and fall in love...Fall in love with Mount Otemanu, standing proud at the center of the island, fall in love with the warm turquoise lagoon, fall in love with your overwater bungalow, just fall in love...

@Pierre Lesage

Bora Bora is the place where dreams take over reality... enjoy the magic and be enchanted.

@Tim-mckenna.com

TETIAROA: MARLON BRANDO'S PRIVATE PARADISE ISLAND

The mysterious and beautiful atoll of Tetiaroa is situated 30 miles from the island of Tahiti. It comprises 13 islets encircled by a coral reef.

Originally the summer residence of the ruling families and kings of Tahiti, Tetiaroa was considered to be the royal playground. The atoll was made famous by Marlon Brando, who decided to purchase it during the making of the "Mutiny of the Bounty".

One can only be seduced by the magic of the island, its charm, its beauty and the solitude of such an alluring and remote exotic paradise.

@ National Geographic Photos

Brando himself had no intention of  destroying the natural the beauty of the island and even said: "If I have my way, Tetiaroa will remain forever a place that reminds Tahitians of who they are and what they were centuries ago".

                                                                                                             @gegedeversailles

In Tahitian Tetiaroa means "who stands apart" or "keeps its distance", keeping in line with Brando's values and hopes for the island. The names suits perfectly, as access to Tetiaroa is fairly limited, making it a remote, secluded and exclusive destination.

I remember spending time at the Hotel Tetiaroa, run by Teihotu (marlon Brando's son with Tarita Teriipaia) during my youth in rustic Polynesian style bungalows with no electricity on the island apart from that generated by the electric group. Even then, I thought that this was actually what paradise should be like...No fuss, just natural beauty, modernity was left in Tahiti. On the island, time was irrelevant, it is an out of this world experience, like being in the middle of nowhere. Besides the laughs of children playing, the only sounds one could hear on the island where coconuts falling, the cries of the birds and the relaxing roaring of the sea when it came to break on the coral reef.

@ Hotel Tetiaroa

To me Tetiaroa will always be synonymous of beauty, simplicity, mystery, tranquility and discoveries. One of the islet, Tahuna Iti, also named Bird island is famous for the thousands of seabirds who lay their eggs on the white powdery sands. This seabird sanctuary is both amazing and striking, just make sure you don't watch Hitchcock's "The Birds" before going there. 

               © Renaud Laffontas

The hotel Tetiaroa I knew in my youth no longer is, as it was shut after Marlon Brando's death. Nowadays, the only way to visit the atoll, although you will not be able to access all of the islets, is on a catamaran day excursion.

@ Tahiti Tourisme

However, the magic will once again be open to visitors as in 2009, TetiaroaPacific Beachcomber began the construction of an eco-resort called "The Brando" comprising 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian sites.

The resort is expected to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, reflecting Marlon Brando's passion for environmental sustainability.

To know more about Marlon Brando's Tetiaroa adventure, read "Waltzing with Brando" by Bernard Judge.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: PARADISE AT THE END OF THE DOCK

Maybe paradise is at the end of a dock?

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: TAHITI OCEAN VOYAGE

A beautiful video by Devin Graham filmed with a canon 5D Mark II. Enjoy!

So you want to come to Tahiti ? well stop dreaming and start planning your holiday! (part 2)

Tahiti and her islands, 4 millions square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean, the equivalent of Europe...and 118 islands spread over five archipelagos. No wonder so many people ask me 'which island do you think I should visit?'!

The answer I want to give is all of them, they are all different, unique and amazing! But obviously, this can't be done in just one trip. Even I haven't visited half of the islands yet.

@Ninamu resort, Tikehau

There is other category of people, the ones who know exactly where they will go: Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Why? Because these are the three most famous islands of French Polynesia throughout the world.

- Tahiti, obviously because it is the capital and all international flights land here;

@ Intercontinental Beachcomber Tahiti

- Moorea because it is Tahiti's sister island and the closest and easiest to visit;

@gregnagel.net

- Bora Bora, The Pearl of the Pacific, because everybody goes there and the american GIs made it famous during WW2.

@Tahiti Tourisme Australia

To these, I would to say, OK, what about the other 115 islands? Truth is, it is difficult to choose which islands to visit, for the choice is endless and all islands and islets are as beautiful and the other.

@Ninamu resort, Tikehau

 

So, you'll ask me, which islands should I visit??? How do I find my way in the maze of choices available to me? And there is an answer (beyond the simple ask a travel agent). I gave you the first tips to help you start planning your holiday to Tahiti a few weeks ago. So I thought I'd keep them coming and help you as much as I can.

As I said before, there are five archipelagoes to choose from, and they all have their own specificities, different traditions, even different languages. Depending on what you like and what you expect from your holiday on Tahiti and her island, you might find that an archipelago suits your needs better. So before going into specifics and asking which island is best, start researching the 5 different archipelagoes: the Society islands, the Tuamotu, the Marquesas, the Gambier and the Austral islands.

@ Tahiti Tourisme 

@Ninamu resort, Tikehau

Without meaning to paraphrase another destination's slogan, you will find that there is something for everyone in Tahiti and her islands and the possibilities are truly endless and you'll soon realize that you will have to plan all your next holidays here if you want to be able to truly explore and discover this paradise and its hidden treasures. Start reesearching now, a trip to Paradise deserves your full attention!

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: TAHITI OF YESTERYEAR - PARADISE ON EARTH

I came across this classic video of Tahiti in the 60s and thought I'd share it with you all.