Other sights in Tahiti & French Polynesia
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Jardin Botanique
The 137-hectare Jardin Botanique has walking paths that wind their way through the garden past ponds, palms and a superb mape forest. The gardens were founded in 1919 by an American, Harrison Smith, who introduced many plants to Tahiti including the large Southeast Asian pomelo known on Tahiti as pamplemousse, the French word for grapefruit. Unfortunately, Smith also introduced one or two botanical disasters that Tahiti could well have done without. Look out for the huge Galápagos tortoises. Mosquitoes in the gardens can be fierce.
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Taravao
Strategically situated at the narrow isthmus connecting Tahiti Nui with Tahiti Iti, the town of Taravao has been a military base on and off since 1844, when the first French fort was established. The original fort was intended to forestall Tahitian guerrilla forces opposed to the French takeover from mounting operations against Tahiti Nui from Tahiti Iti. Today the Faratea Port, on the northeastern side of the isthmus, is being built to shift commercial sea trade from Pape’ete (which is getting gussied up for tourists) to Taravao.
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Huahine Nui Pearls & Pottery
While in Faie, visit Huahine Nui Pearls & Pottery. Peter Owen, the owner, is a potter as well as a pearl farmer and his work is shown in Pape’ete’s galleries. His studio is on his pearl farm in the middle of the lagoon. From Faie a ferry departs for the studio every 15 minutes from 10am to 4pm. Upon arrival you’ll be given a demonstration of pearl farming and have an opportunity to browse the collection of pearls inside the shop – they’re particularly well priced.
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Espace Culturel Paul Gauguin
For Gauguin fans, a visit to the refurbished Espace Culturel Paul Gauguin is a must. Don’t get too excited, though; you won’t find any originals, just digital copies of his work. The detailed signs in English are very informative. Once you’ve done a full round of the paintings, timeline and literature, head outside and have a look at the Maison du Jouir (House of Pleasure), a replica of Gauguin’s own house.
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Lagoonarium
Just outside Pape’ete’s urban sprawl, the Lagoonarium is a pleasant tourist trap with a meshed-in area of lagoon with a modest underwater viewing room; it’s reached through a giant (though crumbling) concrete shark’s mouth. The entrance to the Lagoonarium is part of the Captain Bligh Restaurant, and if you eat at the restaurant there’s no charge to visit the Lagoonarium.
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Camika CED
To check out Mangareva’s famous mother-of-pearl carvings, head to the Camika CED, just downhill to the left from the intersection above Cathédrale Saint-Michel, where you can watch students as they engrave shells. You can buy finished products including small pendants and barrettes at the on-site shop. Prices for an engraved shell start at around 4000 CFP.
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Marae Arahurahu
Whether or not you believe in the powers of the tiki (sacred statue), it’s hard to deny there is an amazing energy radiating from Marae Arahurahu in the Pa’ea district. Tranquil, huge and beautifully maintained, the marae (traditional temple) is undoubtedly the best-looking one on the island and even rivals those on other islands.
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Maison Blanche
The early-20th-century Maison Blanche is a fine example of a fare vanira, a plantation house from Mo’orea’s vanilla-boom era. Located just past the Moorea Pearl Resort, the Maison Blanche is now a souvenir shop. It has a fairly typical selection of pareu (sarongs) and Balinese woodcarvings.
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Maraa Grotto
Lush gardens, overhung caverns, crystal-clear pools and ferny grottoes are all standard features at gorgeous Maraa Grotto. The fairytale park is found along the coastal road, and a manicured path runs throughout. It’s a popular stop on round-the-island circuits, but also well worth visiting on your own.
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Archaeological Museum
Situated on the water’s edge on the Fare side of Maeva, the fare potee (open traditional house) has a small archaeological museum. Around the site are 10 or more marae, some of which may date back to the 16th century. Flagstones cover a wide expanse of land along the shoreline.
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Arboretum
The fact that so many species have adapted to the dry Marquesan soil opens up great possibilities for local agriculture. The species best adapted to the climate are used for reforestation where the vegetation has been destroyed by wild goats and horses. The arboretum is located halfway between Vaipaee and Hane.
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Museum
Located next to the mayor’s office, this little museum features pestles, tiki, finely carved sculptures, pahu (drums), jewellery and period photos as well as a ha’e (traditional house). Donations are appreciated. Hours are erratic; ask at the mayor’s office.
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Centre Jacques Brel
Housed in a big aircraft hangar, behind the Espace Culturel Paul Gauguin, is Centre Jacques Brel. In the centre is Brel’s plane, Jojo; posters tracing the musician’s life adorn the walls and his music plays dreamily over the sound system.
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Marine Museum
This modest museum, in the white house on the seafront, shows the evolution of traditional pirogues (outrigger canoes) as well as hooks used for shark fishing. Ask around for someone to help you get the key.
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Gallery Umatatea
Don’t miss a stop at Gallery Umatatea, where the exotic paintings of the highly respected artist Melanie Dupre are on display and prints are on sale. The gallery is open when the artist is home.
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Musée de la Marine
The small, private Musée de la Marine has a collection of model ships made by architect Bertrand Darasse. The opening hours are fairly haphazard, so you might like to call ahead.
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Petroglyph Museum
On the waterfront, the small petroglyph museum displays well-presented photographs of the petroglyphs around the island.
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Taetae Tupuna Enana
This little museum has a few documents and artefacts focusing on traditional Marquesan culture. It’s at the Hee Tai Inn.
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