The sound of these names already tempts you to dream. In the middle of the South Pacific, the territory of French Polynesia extends over 4 million km2 of sea surface, consisting of Tahiti and 117 islands in 5 archipelagos: Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Tubuai and Gambier Islands. Tahiti and its islands are reflected in Gauguin’s paintings: a wonderful palette of colours from the lush green of the mountains to the transparent blue of the lagoons. The painter Paul Gauguin (1848 to 1903) lived and worked in Tahit.
What these islands have in common is the art of enjoying life, the contagious good mood of the people who live here. You feel like you’re in a dream, accompanied by the wistful rhythms of Polynesian songs. The island actually consists of two islands connected by a narrow isthmus and covers 1043 km². There is a coral reef around the island, which is interrupted in places. About 70% of the population of French Polynesia lives in Tahiti. Massive rainforests cover the island. The rainy season lasts from November to April. Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia in the South Seas, whose original name is Otaheite. The capital Papeete is located on the northwest coast.
On our journey across the island we see many strange phenomena. Right next to the road, water vapors rise from the earth on a rock face. However, this has nothing to do with magic. The surf has made an opening under the road, and the fountains of the surf shoot up from the holes with every wave. A spectacle of a special kind.
We pass small Ficher villages. The fishermen’s boats are moored on the beaches. The boats have the outriggers typical of the South Seas on the side. The fishing nets are hung up to dry. In this way, they can also be cleaned and cared for.
