FRENCH POLYNESIA, A MAGICAL PARADISE

 

Welcome to the mesmerizing paradise of French Polynesia a tropical haven in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. This blog posting will take you on a journey through the enchanting islands of Moorea, Bora Bora, and Rangiroa. Get ready to immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and the warm hospitality of the Polynesian culture.

Moorea is a South Pacific island and part of French Polynesia's Society Islands archipelago. It's known for its jagged volcanic mountains and sandy beaches. In the north, Mount Rotui overlooks picturesque Opunohu Bay and the settlements around Cook's Bay. Inland, hiking trails wind through rainforests on the slopes of Mount Tohivea. The Belvedere Lookout has panoramic views of the island’s peaks and Tahiti beyond.

Locals celebrating their culture with traditional dances.      

                          

  Not sure if I recognize this wahine from way way back when.                     

   

Next we venture to the iconic Bora Bora known as the "Pearl of the Pacific." This island paradise is renowned for its stunning overwater bungalows where you can wake up to breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu and turquoise waters teeming with marine life. Dive into the vibrant coral gardens, go jet skiing, or simply relax on the white sandy beaches feeling the gentle breeze against your skin.  

On to Rangiroa which is a serene atoll the largest in French Polynesia. Known as the "Endless Lagoon," Rangiroa offers an untouched paradise for divers and nature enthusiasts. Dive into the Blue Lagoon where you can swim alongside dolphins, encounter graceful manta rays, and explore colorful coral gardens.

      More traditional dancing entertainmnent to enjoy at dinner.

                                         MORE  STUNNIING SCENERY

Another photo with my new local amigo.  Don't you love his hat! 

Beautiful tradtional dancing as seen in French Polynesia.

French Polynesia is also reknown for the stunning art work by Paul Gauguin, the French artist, painted in the late 1800's as seen below.

I wish to leave you with my favorite photograph taken while visiting French Polynesia which is a local pig taking a refreshing bath. I have always heard that pigs are very intelligent and this one definitely knew what he was doing!

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Postscript:  For you history buffs you might enjoy the following information:  

Anthropologists and historians believe the Great Polynesian Migration commenced around 1500 BC as Austronesian peoples went on a journey using celestial navigation to find islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

European encounters began in 1521 when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, sailing at the service of the Spanish Crown, sighted Puka-Puka in the Tuamotu-Gambier Archipelago.  

In 1606 another Spanish expedition under Pedro Fernandes de Queiros sailed through Polynesia sighting an inhabited island on 10 February which they called Sagittaria (or Sagittaria) probably the island of Rekareka to the southeast of Tahiti. 

In 1722, Dutchman Jakob Roggeveen while on an expedition sponsored by the Dutch West India Company charted the location of six islands in the Tuamotu Archipelago and two islands in the Society Islands, one of which was Bora Bora.

Rangiroa or Te Kokota is the largest atoll in the Tuamotus and one of the largest in the world. It is in French Polynesia and is part of the Palliser group. The nearest atoll is Tikehau, 12 kilometres to the west. It is about 355 km northeast of Tahiti. Rangiroa is home to about 2,500 people.

 

Thank you for joining me on my "Blog Journey" and wishing you well.