Recommend April 2013 - (Page 18)

TAHITITOURISM.COM this world-fa ous spice is grown here. ours include strolling a ong the rows of cli ing orchids and a de onstration of the pollination and curing process. Island Tours oth aiatea and aha a are enjo a le islands to e plore. car or us tour, isitors can dri e along the uiet circle-island roads and stop at the illages and peaceful shores. oat, the can cruise within deep a s dotted with pearl far s or co e ashore on a tin motu. foot, the can follow a guide along ancient footpaths high into the ountains. River Trip inding through a lush rainforest, the aaroa i er is the onl na iga le ri er in ahiti and can e enjo ed a chartered ri er cruise. TUAMOTU ATOLLS Tahiti’s Strand of Pearls ro the air, these atolls a out a -hour ight fro ahiti or ora ora look like hundreds of pearls that were gracefull tossed upon the ocean. ach atoll is a delicate and of pal laden coral eaches and motu surrounding a lagoon with water so clear it see s infinite. nl a few feet in ele ation, these see ingl lost atolls are dotted with tin illages where si ple Pol nesian life welco es ro antics and di ers alike. Rangiroa angiroa is si pl e ond i agination with an endless hori on a o e the world s second largest atoll. Surrounding one of the world s greatest di e destinations, islets la upon the ocean for ore than iles co pletel encircling an infinitel deep lagoon. he eautiful oasis of land aking up the ost populated part of angiroa is surrounded two legendar odies of water, oana-tea Peaceful cean and oana-uri ild cean . Here, the ain illages of atoru and iputa offer the isitor a uni ue look at the South Pacific. long the few roads that e ist, coral churches, craft centers, local restaurants, and tin shops pro ide enjo a le e periences to co ple ent the an acti ities in the lagoon. isitors can also enjo wine tasting at the o ini ue uro state nestled within a coconut gro e and producing three grape arieties. Fakarava akara a is an untouched world where life along the shores is e uall uni ue with uaint illages, old coral churches, and welco ing people. akara a was once the ancient capital of the region and the site of the first atholic ission in the atolls, which was uilt fro coral in the s. he lagoon is the second largest in rench Pol nesia after angiroa and is rich with life elow and a o e the surface. So pure is the en iron ent here that 18 april 2013 PAGES-Tahiti-DIGITAL.indd 18 DIVING IN THE ATOLLS o shoot the pass is to e perience what an ha e called the world s greatest adrenaline rush i ers, snorkelers, and e en those a oard a glass- otto oat are carried in a rush of water etween the ocean and lagoon surrounded see ingl illions of fish. utside the reef is a reathtaking arra of large species along the walls of the drop-offs, including s uadrons of eagle ra s and schools of sharks and tuna. S P P S S atoru Pass Pass di e - ft. iputa Pass Pass di e ft. uariu agoon di e - ft. H he Pass cean di e ft. an ons cean di e ft. Shark Hole cean di e ft. u akohua Pass Pass di e aruae Pass Pass di e ft. entral Park cean di e - ft. H airapa Pass Pass di e - ft. he reak cean di e - ft. he ircus agoon di e - ft. ft. D i v e op erators are l oc ated near th e res orts and p ri mary v i l l ag es on eac h atol l . akara a and fi e surrounding atolls are one of the protected areas in the world network of S iosphere eser es. s a reser e, local co unities are acti el in ol ed in go ernance, anage ent, research, education, training and onitoring, which pro otes oth socio-econo ic de elop ent and iodi ersit conser ation. Ahe Atoll etween angiroa and anihi, located in the northern ua otu rchipelago, lies he, an al ost entirel enclosed coral atoll. he , -ft.-deep lagoon opens up to the ocean at onl one pass, iareroa. ecause of its li ited accessi ilit , he has re ained relati el unpopulated, with onl inha itants. Here, wildlife a ounds, and all around the atoll li e di erse species of sharks, ra s, turtles, napoleon fish, groupers and arracudas. er pearl far s are scattered across the lagoon of he. he s far s produce so e of the ost e ceptional pearls in ahiti, and the are open for guided isits and de onstrations. here are no resorts on he lodging is a aila le at a few fa il -run guesthouses, and the atoll is accessi le s all inner-island ights and pri ate oat charter. recommend.com 3/25/13 8:14 AM http://www.TAHITITOURISM.COM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2013

Editor's Notes
The Islands of Tahiti
Hotel Desk: Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Tour Talk: Islands in the Sun
A Med Escape: Greek Isles & Cyprus
Set Sail
The Seychelles' Private Island Resorts
Portrait of Israel
Booking 2 on the Isles: Easter Island & Galapagos
Island-Hopping in Mexico: Cozumel, Isla Holbox & Isla Mujeres
The Pulse of Poipu, Hawaii
Florida's Islands: Amelia, Captiva & Sanibel
The Real Caribbean: Grenada & Martinique

Recommend April 2013