Travel Articles French Polynesia

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Solomon Island   Tahiti    French Polynesia   Tonga

Festivals and Events in French Polynesia

Located in the center of the South Pacific Ocean, Tahitian Islands are among the most beautiful in the world. Tahitian Islands, otherwise known as French Polynesia, is made up of about 118 islands and atolls spread across five archipelagos such as the Society Islands, Austral Islands, Gambier Islands, Marquesas Islands, and Tuamotu Islands.

Bestowed with the titles, 'the Queen of the Pacific' and 'the Island of Love,' Tahiti, in the Society Archipelago's Leeward group, is the largest and the main island in French Polynesia. Equally fabulous are such island destinations in French Polynesia as Bora Bora, Moorea, famed for its Tiki Village, Huahine, Raiatea, and Taha'a.

Each of the 118 islands in French Polynesia is noted for its unique landscape with beautiful flower-strewn valleys, gorgeous lagoons, deserted beaches, incredible coves and bays, and much more. In short, with a delightful array of natural wonders and man-made attractions, Tahiti and its sister islands are truly a haven for sightseers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/festivals-and-events-in-french-polynesia-305350.html

Six exclusive luxury Sofitel and Novotel resorts in French Polynesia, including a private island, offering outstanding natural beauty, sparkling turquoise waters, and all the romance of the South Seas to travelers and honeymooners in search of the ultimate paradise island experience.

French Polynesia Some Helpful Facts For The Visitor

Tahiti is south of the Equator, mid way between Los Angeles California, and Sydney Australia. It is in the same time zone as Hawaii.

The main languages spoken through French Polynesia are Tahitian and French.

You will find in the hotels and restaurants that English is spoken, however the local people do appreciate it when their guests at least make an attempt to learn a few of their words. They are very willing to teach anyone who is willing to learn, and they will do it with lots of smiles and big laughs.

In terms of entry requirements to French Polynesia, every visitor must have a return airline ticket to their home country or at least two more following destinations. In addition if required they must show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves in French Polynesia.

For most visitors, who are tourists, you will need a passport that has six months to run, except US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealanders where three months is sufficient.

The only exceptions to this, where visas are obligatory are tourists from Israel, Brazil, Venezuela, and Panama. In some other cases visas are required for stays of over one month, and in other cases over three months. To be safe you should make enquiries from your travel agent, or the French Consular office in your country. Always bear in mind that entry requirements are subject to change without notice, and it is the passenger's responsibility to make sure that all documents needed are complete and current.

There are few health requirements for French Polynesia, and it is not a malaria area, but you should ensure your vaccination program is up to date, ensuring you visit your doctor at least five weeks before travelling. You are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance before leaving home.There are some outbreaks of dengue fever in Tahiti, so don't travel without Deet, or some other mosquito repellent, and cover up at dawn and dusk.

The Law in French Polynesia is French law, so be aware that it is a criminal offence if you fail to offer assistance to a person in danger. This includes motor accidents, and any other occasion when a person is in danger, except if you would endanger yourself by offering assistance. If guilty you could be fined or be given a suspended prison sentence.

You must carry your passport at all times.

There are no sales taxes or hidden service charges in French Polynesia.

The currency is the Pacific French Franc[CFP], but bring traveller's cheques rather than cash. Amex, Mastercard, and Visa are all accepted at all major establishments.

Finally prepare yourself for high costs as French Polynesia is 30 to 50% more expensive than most of the rest of the South Pacific

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/french-polynesia-some-helpful-facts-for-the-visitor-181131.html

Mutiny to Tahiti and French Polynesia

Since the age of explorers Wallis, Bougainville, and Cook, legendary Tahiti has tickled imaginations worldwide. More recently, Tahiti became the most famous Polynesian island of all when Clark Gable (1935), Marlon Brando (1962), and Mel Gibson (1984) played the role of Fletcher Christian in three blockbuster Mutiny on the Bounty films. Even the horrendous French nuclear testing program from 1966-1996 did little to dampen this image.

For the modern traveler, there’s no getting around the fact that French Polynesia is expensive. Bora Bora is easily the most upscale tourist destination in the South Pacific with 17 resorts charging over US$250 double a night without meals. Yet it’s also true that you can greatly reduce your costs if you book your top end hotel rooms as part of a package tour. Another option is to stay in small locally-operated pensions. Bora Bora has seven hostels and pensions in the US$50-100 range and Moorea has 11. On Moorea you can also camp.

Most visitors get around the islands by air, and Air Tahiti operates efficient services to 46 islands and atolls in French Polynesia. Here again, you can save money by purchasing one of Air Tahiti’s 28-day air passes. A Society Islands air pass will cost around US$400, or US$550 if you add on the Tuamotu Islands. The only interisland boat trip which is easy to do is Tahiti to Moorea which operates every two hours and costs US$10. Passenger-carrying cargo boats do ply from Tahiti to Bora Bora several times a week, but they’re basic and the overnight trip can be rough. If you want to experience the boat trip one way, you’re better off flying from Tahiti to Bora Bora and then returning to Tahiti by boat. I explain why in my guidebook, Moon Tahiti.

Car rentals in French Polynesia average US$100 a day – expensive! Options include renting a bicycle instead of a car (on Moorea and Bora Bora) or traveling by le truck or public bus (on Tahiti). Four-wheel-drive safari tours are offered on all the main islands and these are also cheaper than renting a car. On Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, and Bora Bora, there are sightseeing tours by outrigger canoe.

When to go? May to October is the cooler, less humid time, although prolonged rainfall is possible yearround. An optimum time to be there is for the Heiva festival on Tahiti, Huahine, and Bora Bora in early July. Whatever, don’t miss attending at least one Island Night at a fancy resort for the wild tamure dancing and drumming. These happen several times a week. You can often avoid the high cost of the buffet by settling for a drink at the bar.

One thing you won’t encounter in French Polynesia – unless you spend most of your time at a large resort – is a tourist glut. French Polynesia gets only 200,000 tourists a year compared to the six million who visit Hawaii. Geographically, Tahiti is actually east of Hawaii, and the flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti takes only 7.5 hours, just 2.5 hours more than it takes to fly to Hawaii. My most memorable experience in French Polynesia? The cruise to the Marquesas Islands on the Aranui, something I hope to do again very soon.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/mutiny-to-tahiti-and-french-polynesia-281068.html

David Stanley is the author of Moon Tahiti published by Avalon Travel Publishing of Berkeley, California. Stanley's travel photos of French Polynesia may be perused at Pacific Pictures.

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