Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti
It’s more exotic than Hawaii, more remote than the Caribbean, and more beautiful than your wildest dreams. Tahiti is often reputed to be not just one of the most stunning islands in the world, but thee most stunning island on the planet. And if, by the end of reading this, you’re not convinced, think about this: Tahiti is where Hawaiians go to get away from it all.Tahiti is basically divided into two mains sections: Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti. The main island of French Polynesia’s Society Islands, which include Moorea and Bora Bora, Tahiti is about 620 square miles in size and takes about 6 hours to drive around. The island combines two dormant volcanoes joined by a narrow isthmus—Tahiti-Nui is the larger half; Tahiti-Iti is almost devoid of population and very remote.
If you were to think of the island as the shape of a frying pan, Tahiti Nui would be the skillet and Tahiti Iti would be the handle. Tahiti-Iti is very rustic with some attractive Polynesian style villages and a few small beaches on its south coast. There are many excellent hiking trails on both the south and north coast and the road along the coast passes by some of the island’s most outstanding scenery.The north and east coast of Tahiti-Nui has some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the island, several good waterfalls and many black sand beaches. It’s also where Papeete, the capital city, lies.
Papeete
Papeete is a fairly large city; about 100,000 people call it home. The city has an unmistakable French flair, and when you’re amidst the crowded markets and shops, you’ll feel miles away from the serene peace that is offered in Tahiti’s more remote areas. If you get a hotel in the city proper, it’s very likely you’ll be surrounded by concrete rather than palm trees. Yet if you want to have a fun night on the town, you can definitely do so in Papeete.If you’re looking for eco-adventures, you’ve come to the right place. In Tahiti, you’ll find trails weaving surreptitiously through dense jungles, and waterfalls and rivers that flow through millennia’s old volcanic lava tubes. There are hundreds of ancient marae, ancient stone Polynesian structures, that will excite historians and dreamers alike. Get a guide to take you through the main Lava Tube. Your path will take you along the river under a canopy of thick foliage and chattering birds; by the end of it you’ll be all smiles and covered in mud. Bring a good set of hiking shoes if this sounds like you’re type of fun.
Of course, romance is as much part of the Tahitian scenery as the sky-blue lagoons and copses of bamboo trees. Honeymooners love Tahiti for the solitude it provides, as well as the long list of fun activities like scuba diving, sailing, surfing, and beachcombing. Of course, you can ignore all of that and just enjoy the beauty that’s right in front of your eyes.
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