TAHITI

Tahiti conjures up images of an island in the sun – and that is exactly what it is! The island of Tahiti was formed by a series of violent underwater eruptions nearly three million years ago that spewed up lava and rock into the air that soon cooled into land. The island of Tahiti floats in the gentle calm of the South Pacific and has lured to its shores such luminaries as Paul Gauguin, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack London, Somerset Maugham, James Michener and Marlon Brando amongst others. Tahiti’s manifold charms are not just mythical – overseas visitors to French Polynesia receive a warm welcome, one that comes in the form of leis of fragrant gardenias and frangipani to the sounds of traditional Tahitian music. Capital: Papeete Best time to Visit: 1.The winter months between May and October are the best time to visit Tahiti with June to August being the busiest. This time of the year the weather is great, humidity levels low and the water very clear for diving and snorkeling. 2. The summers (November- April) are hot and humid so they should be best avoided. Rainfall is expected somewhere between November and March and it gets sticky during this period. Minimum Days required: 4 days Places of Interest: 1.Robert Wan Peal Museum 2.Fautaua Waterfall 3.Museum of Tahiti and the Islands, 4.Punaaui Beach 5.Aremiti Ferry Climate: 1.November to April is the wet season, the wettest month of which is January with 13.2 in (340 mm) of rain in Papeetē. 2.August is the driest with 1.9 in (48 mm). 3.The average temperature ranges between 21 °C (70 °F) and 31 °C (88 °F) with little seasonal variation. 4.The lowest and highest temperatures recorded in Bibys are 16 °C (61 °F) and 34 °C (93 °F), respectively Currency: CFP Franc Things to carry: 1.Pack your beachwear, light cottons and winter clothing both (as it never gets too cold here because of its tropical location) along with sun tan lotion, sunglasses, comfortable slippers and shoes (for hiking, trekking and other adventure activities), camera, torch with spare batteries and lots of excitement. 2.Don’t forget the mosquito repellant! How to get there: Air 1.Tahiti is the gateway to the South Pacific Islands – the only French Polynesian Island with an international airport, the Faa’a International Airport. 2.Some of the major airlines that fly into Tahiti include- Aircalin, Air New Tahiti, Hawaiin Airlines, Air France, Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways.