|
Port Description
|
Papeete, Tahiti
The whole island chain comprising
French Polynesia is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "Tahiti," but French
Polynesia actually consists of 35 islands and 83 atolls, including Tahiti (by
far the largest and most populous), grouped into five archipelagos. The widely
dispersed archipelagos—known as the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, the Society
Islands, the Australs and the Gambiers—vary considerably in their cultures,
ethnicity and climates. All of the Tuamotus are actually flat coral atolls, but
the most beautiful islands are volcanic mountains, dramatically thrust up from
the sea and covered with lush vegetation.
Papeete, pronounced pah-pay-AY-tay, is the capital of Tahiti and is
where international flights land. It has a population of about 100,000, and
sports art galleries, shops, and local markets.
When you venture out of Papeete for a tour of the island, you can visit Point
Venus (where Captain Cook made his measurements of the transit of Venus), the
Gauguin Art Museum (30 mi/50 km from town—having some lesser works of the
artist), the Harrison Smith Botanical Garden near the museum (with a
miniature forest of Tahitian chestnuts) and the Musee de Tahiti (9 mi/15 km from
Papeete on the western coast—with good historical displays).
Take along a swimsuit, as there are a number of public beaches around Tahiti.
In fact, it's not a bad policy to always take a swimsuit along in French
Polynesia.
|
