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This turtle-shaped
island, crowned by Polynesia's two highest peaks and skirted by
black velvet beaches and pink coral reefs, is the largest of the
118 islands that comprise French Polynesia. The legendary name
"Tahiti" not only identifies this island but also the group of
islands that make up French Polynesia. The
bustling port city of Papeete (pronounced "pah-pay-ay-tay")
is Tahiti's capital. The famous waterfront was recently
renovated, creating a lively boardwalk atmosphere for locals
and visitors alike. Vai'ete Square is the center
of the excitement. During the day Tahitian mamas
sell their incredible hand-made crafts. Music fills the
air all day and into the evenings, when gourmet catering
trucks called les
roulottes set up shop, offering delicious, low-cost
meals ranging from Chinese food to crèpes to steak
sandwiches. Just footsteps away is To'ata Square,
a new concert venue that boasts a daily crafts fair.
No trip to Tahiti would be complete without a visit to Le
Marché, Papeete's open-air market. On the
first floor you'll find fresh flowers, fruit, vegetables,
vanilla and brilliantly colored local fish. The second floor
is a souvenir hunter's paradise: here, visitors can find
genuine Marquesan wood carvings, tee-shirts, and everything
in between. Le
truck, the colorful, open-air bus, is a convenient
and inexpensive way to get around town.
Away from the harbor, the scenery gradually
turns to foothills tufted with swaying coconut palms, waterfalls
cascading through emerald green valleys to cool mountain streams,
and waves of pink bougainvillaea. Pure as the day it was created,
this tropical paradise is jealously guarded by the monumental
cloud-capped Mount Orohena, dwelling place of the ancient gods.
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