VENUS POINT

A place rich in history that marks the arrival of the first Europeans on the island of Tahiti and the beginning of the Polynesian dynasty.

The lighthouse was built in 1867 and remains today. The famous Captain James Cook arrived in this bay at the time named "Matavai" in 1769 aboard the ship Endeavor. In 1770 he built an observatory to study the movements of the planet Venus and thus the calculation of the distance between the sun and the Earth, which gave its name to this famous place.

Other explorers like Wallis and Bougainville also arrived there afterwards.

Viewpoint TAHARA'A

Located at the top of the Tahara'a Pass, the Tahara'a Belvedere (720 meters altitude) offers a magnificent panorama of the Matavai Bay from Arue to the capital Papeete. In addition, the panorama on Moorea is just beautiful!

BLOW HOLE

An amazing phenomenon. It is a powerful breath that is formed by the engulfment of the waves in the holes the rocky coast and out of the side of the hole.

THREE waterfalls

located on the east coast of Tahiti, in the Faarumai Valley in Tiarei. There is a legend that houses the home of lovers ....

The first Vaimahutu near 100 m, the second Haamairere iti and the third Haamarere Rahi.

Water GARDENS OF VAIPAHI

Located at PK 49 on the west coast of the Tahiti island this site offers to the visitors a furnished and fresh space, many species

of local plants, trees and some water plants.

While discovering the garden you will find some remains of the past legends of this places.

MARAA CAVES

Beautiful landscape located on the edge of the road of west Tahiti.

Caves under a cliff, small waterfalls and dense vegetation.

MARAE ARAHURAHU

On the west coast of Tahiti this marae is an archaeological space, reconstituted in 1954.

The Maraes were places reserved for ceremonial, social and religious activities.

Considered sacred, the Maraes were used before the arrival of the first Europeans in Polynesia.

Arahurahu Marae de Paea

The large Arahurahu marae in  Paea is one of the most beautiful marae in Tahiti, thanks to the restoration work carried out by the Culture and Heritage Department.

Formerly, on this marae which had the name Tu-Matamata-Hia, a terrible fight took place between the heroes of kings Tu-Mata-ira and Tutu-Ai-Aro. The battle was fierce and lasted until sunset. During this confrontation, the most famous warrior of Tu-Mata-ira was pierced by a spear. His body was placed in a Tahitian oven covered with yellow leaves of auti  (cordyline) . After two days and two nights. At the end of this period, the oven was discovered. The warriors shouted: - O our king, the furnace is well heated, and there is only coal!

Then, King Tu-Mata-Ira said to them: "From that day, this marae will no longer be called the Tu-Matamata-Hia marae, but will bear the name of Arahurahu marae and this until the end of the time.

Sources :

EMORY K. Stone remains in the Society Islands, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Bulletin 116, Hawaii 1933.

Department of Culture and Heritage.

Va’a Polynesian Outrigger Canoe

Va’a (Polynesian Outrigger Canoe) is the ultimate traditional Polynesian sport.

It does not make a difference whether or not you are a beginner or an advanced paddler because coachings are customized. Participants could either choose from va’a introductions or enhanced coachings.

In both cases paddlers will have all the necessary knowledge to cruise safely in French Polynesia lagoons while gaining new practical and theoretical proficiencies.

By understanding the role of va’a inside all Polynesian civilizations, you will get a better understanding at the Polynesian Culture, the People, and at the expanded paddling community over the world.

Paddles, PFDs and bottles of mineral water will be available for all attendees and an escort boat will supervise all sea trips.

Coaching sites are located in the cities of Arue and Vairao.

What are you waiting for ? Come and learn how to paddle like a real Tahitian !

Sources

Tahiti Va’a Incorporated

Tahitian Dance

In pre-European Polynesia, dances “were many and varied” (W. Ellis, 1831), but little else is known about them. All we know is that both Polynesian men and women danced, together or separately. Certain dances were performed standing up, others sitting down. Musicians used to accompany the dances with a limited number of instruments, essentially the pahu (drum with two skins) the vivo, a nasal flute.

Associated, as was tattooing, with nudity and therefore with immodesty, dancing was forbidden by missionaries. It was not until the 1950s that this ancestral art found its place again among Polynesian customs, and was reborn thanks to Tahitian natives’ oral transmission and the writing of travelers.

Source

Tahiti Tourisme

Tahitian Flowers

Tropical flowers seem to be everywhere on the islands, particularly in Tahitian hair. The famous tiare Tahitian flower is used in leis to welcome travelers and returning family. Tahiti tradition holds that if they are taken, French Polynesian women and men should wear a flower behind the left ear.

Source

Tahiti Tourism

The Tradition of Polynesian Tattoos

The word tatau originated in The Islands of Tahiti, and the symbols have meaning and the meaning tells the story of each Tahitian’s personal history. In each line drawn on the body, the ma’ohi of the past is connected to the Mana of the present and future. Tahitian people believe in the presence of Tohu, the god of tatau, who painted all the oceans’ fish in their colors and patterns, gives each tatau an essence of meaning and life. A link between heaven and earth. Polynesian tattoos are also signs of beauty, and in earlier times were an important part of life as they signaled the end of adolescence.

Source

Tahiti Tourism

The Tahitian Gardenia

In ancient Polynesian mythology, the tiare flower was introduced by the god Ātea. Ātea served as the guardian of the world of men and offered the sacred flower as a gesture of peace to proud mortal men. The flower was accepted by the men and motivated them to abandon their prideful ways and adopt a more loving lifestyle. To have the flower maintain its positive power, Ātea engraved his love into the heart of the flower. The tiare flower has remained a symbol of harmony ever since.

Because of its connection to the gods, the tiare was reserved for the elite. Only royalty was allowed to own and harvest the plant. The tiare flower was also frequently used during religious ceremonies. The eldest virgin daughter of the ari’i (chief) would wear a crown of tiare flowers, which represented the young woman’s purity. The young women who participated in the ceremony would take baskets full of the flowers and spread them over religious sites as a way to purify the sacred place and destroy wicked spirits.

Source

Tahiti Tourism