| Reviews and photos of French Polynesia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for French Polynesia sightseeing. Map |
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 One Tree Hill and views to
Moorea by easyoar
Parking is easy at the top (provided it isn't too busy), and it is a nice spot just to stop off and admire the views down to Moorea and the colourful flowers on the plants.
This picture shows some of these colourful flowerd and the craggy outline of Moorea in the background. Tahiti and Moorea both used to be volcanic, and the craggy shapes as left from the very slowly disintegrating volcanoes. One day the islands will completely disappear, but the time scales are such that it shouldn't worry any of us! Leave a Comment Directions: Punto Kilometre (PK) 8 on the Coastal Road.
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 Colossal Fig Tree on One Tree
Hill - Tahiti by easyoar
Imagine my surprise when I saw exactly the same Ficus species growing in Tahiti, only just a tiny bit bigger. Check out the girth of this thing, it is absolutely gigantic! I had no idea the measly little fig plant I have at home could grow to such dimensions! This picture doesn't show the height of the tree, but trust me, the height is as awe-inspiring as the girth!
This tree is on One Tree Hill, and whether it is the tree that gives the hill its name I have no idea, but it is certainly grand enough to be! Leave a Comment Directions: Poste Kilometre (PK) 8 on the Coastal Road.
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 Point Venus Lighthouse on
Tahiti by easyoar
The name Venus comes about as Cook built a fort on the site to watch Venus cross the Sun. Unfortunately however he failed in his observations due to lack of proper equipment to allow him to look at the bright sun!
The Lighthouse here has the date 1867 just above the door. However it was apprently built on "Tahiti Time", and was actually finished one year later... Leave a Comment
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 Arahurahu Marae on Tahiti by easyoar
Arahurahu Marae is the only temple in French Polynesia that has been restored to its original condition, and it has been restored beautifully. If you only have time to see one thing on Tahiti, this should be it.
When you get to PK 22.5, you will need to turn off inland, and drive for a short distance to a small shop and parking area where you can park for free. There appears to be a pay booth, but when we visited there was no-one to collect any entrance fee, so we went in for free.
Arahurahu Marae is not only a well restored temple, it is also in a stunning setting and is in a clearing in a valley that appears to be in the jungle with large mountains all around.
You probably want to allow an hour for a visit. Leave a Comment Address: Poste Kilometre (PK) 22.5 on the coastal road
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 King Pomare V's Tomb -
Tahiti by easyoar
With the proceeds of this pension, Kong Pomare V then hit the bottle big time, and died of alcoholic poisoning (or it's complications!). This has caused people to speculate that the Greek Urn on top of the tomb is actually just another one of his empty bottles.
The tomb itself was actually made for King Pomare's mother, but after it was built, he decided he wanted it for himself, and had her remains moved out!
Interestingly, the church (which can be seen in the background) is on the site of an ancient Marae (a Polynesian altar), however when King Pomare II converted from one of the local religions to Calvinism in 1812. He then built a church that was so enormous (217m long) that it needed 3 priests speaking simultaneously spaced throughout the church for the congregation to be able to hear anything (I guess this was in the days before PA systems... ;-) ) Leave a Comment Directions: Punto Kilometre (PK) 4.7 on the Coastal Road.
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 Polynesian Bands on Moorea by easyoar
This band were playing in the Tiki Village and the musicians were very laid back and easy going (classical Polynesian traits!).
The Tiki Village is well worth a visit, especially in the evening, although it is not cheap if you go for the dinner and the show. It is however the best show I have seen of this type. Far and away eclipsing the shows I saw in New Zealand (supposedly one of the better NZ ones) and Easter Island. Leave a Comment Address: Tiki Village, Moorea, French Polynesia
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 The Belvedere - Lookout point
on Moorea by easyoar
The Lookout Point (Le Belvedere) looks down onto Mount Rotui (seen in this photo between the two coves) and Cook's Bay on the right of it, and Opunohu Bay on its left. There is some debate as to whether Captain Cook actually landed in Cook's Bay, but he certainly was in the area. Leave a Comment Directions: Take the road up from Opunohu Bay up into the hills. It is signposted for Le Belvedere. There is another road from Cooks Bay, but this road is very windy, and although it looks shorter, it takes much longer.
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 Making a Canoe from a Log on
Tahiti by easyoar
This picture shows an almost finished canoe. There are also some signs up showing the stages that were gone through to get to this far, and the tools used for doing this.
Whilst there aren't many of these canoes to be sen in the sea, it is good to see that skills used in the older times are still being maintained! Leave a Comment Directions: Punaauia
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 Ancient Polynesian Art on
Tahiti by easyoar
I believe all the Maraes were destroyed after the Europeans found the islands and Christianity was introduced as it would have been considered pagan.
To see what a restored Marae looks like, see my tip on Arahurahu Marae. Leave a Comment Address: Poste Kilometre (PK) 15.1 on the coastal road.Directions: Punaauia Turn off at Poste Kilometre (PK) 15.1 on the coastal road. After a while you will see a sign telling you which way to go, but the directions could be better!
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 Tahitian Beach at Sunset by easyoar
Rather than give a more standard beach pic, I thought I would go for something a little different. The sunsets are so gorgeous and the beach is probably the best place to see them. Moorea is also visible from the beach here, so it has quite a bit going for it!
Whilst this picture was taken on Tahiti, it could just have well been taken on any one of the French Polynesian Islands. Leave a Comment Address: Poste Kilometre (PK) 14 Tahiti on the coast road.Directions: From around PK14, the beach will obviously be on the sea side of the road ;-) It is quite well marked, and there is a decent carpark.
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