The Islands Of Tahiti 2014 - (Page 14)

TAHITITOURISM.COM Austral Islands One-and-a-half hours from the island of Tahiti are the high volcanic islands of the Australs. The southernmost islands of French Polynesia are both mysterious and beautiful and are known for their traditional arts and culture, whale watching, and sheer remoteness. The main islands that offer small hotels and family pensions, and are reached by direct air service are Rurutu, Tubuai, and Raivavae. RuRuTu Towering out of the ocean are the steep coral cliffs of Rurutu, a raised coral atoll, riddled with both caves and legends. The colorful coral block homes dot the three main villages where few changes have been seen in the last century. Exploring the mountains, sea cliff caves, and the many ancient marae religious sites are the most popular activities on land. The arrivals of the migratory humpback whales are the highlight of the ocean activities. Between July and October, visitors can snorkel and dive among the pods of these marine giants who stop in these waters to reproduce within sight of the beaches. TuBuAi A gently-shaped oval landmass, Tubuai is a land rich in soil and panoramic overlooks. The large agricultural plateaus grow traditionally farmed fruits and taro, potatoes, and coffee sent to the markets of Papeete. The circle-island road offers access to the island beaches and network of hiking, biking, and 4x4 trails and the newly reconstructed Fort George, originally built over 200 years ago by the mutineers of the HMS Bounty. THE TAHITI TIARE PROGRAM® The Tahiti Tiare Program® is a platform designed specifically to provide professional travel advisors with the most informative and comprehensive training program for the islands of Tahiti. Created by Tahiti Tourisme North America (TTNA), the program is named after Tahiti's iconic flower: the Tiare Tahiti. Through this program, travel advisors will have the opportunity to become a Certified Tahiti Specialist®, elevating their status as Tahiti travel experts and opening the door to a number of rewards and partnerships with Tahiti Tourisme North America. To enroll, travel advisors must go to our website at http://tahititiareagent.com/ and register. Once the account is activated, travel advisors will be able to start the process of becoming a Certified Tahiti Specialist®. The benefits associated with becoming certified, based on qualification, include consumer leads, access to FAM trips, complimentary listings on the Tahiti Tourisme consumer website, Certified Tahiti Specialist® logo for use in advertising and more. For more information, contact TTNA at: tiare@tahititourism.com. RAivAvAE This tiny remote oasis is truly a paradise of nature. Many visitors and locals alike, feel that this island is reminiscent of a smaller, untouched Bora Bora. The high mountainous island hosts a lush mountain rainforest while countless sea birds nest among the dozens of tiny motu, most of which are uninhabited. Hikes can be arranged to the top of Mt. Hiro, 1,300 ft. above the small village of Anatonu, offering gorgeous views of Raivavae's turquoise lagoon. Gambier Islands & Mangareva Over 1,000 miles southeast of Tahiti are the Gambier islands with mountainous Mangareva standing over the surrounding islands and the luminous lagoon like a great cathedral in a small village. Once the center for Catholicism in Polynesia and a bustling seaport during the missionary era, Mangareva and the waters around the Gambier islands are now an important supply source for the black pearl industry. Besides the pearl farms and tour of the island by road or boat, visitors can also explore the surprising number of surviving churches, convents, watchtowers, and schools from the 1800s. Some structures are still in use such as St. Michel of Rikitea Church where the altar is inlaid with iridescent mother-of-pearl shell. * 14 april 2014 2-15.indd 14 recommend.com 3/25/14 10:01 AM http://www.TAHITITOURISM.COM http://www.tahititiareagent.com/ http://www.recommend.com

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The Islands Of Tahiti 2014