Pacific Island Paradises

ginger and jasmine, as well as locally made shell necklaces, woven hats and baskets. Upstairs is reserved for artisans selling pareus, tifaifai quilts, cushion covers and other handicrafts. Papeete offers a wide range of activities for the traveller, spanning the larger island of Tahiti Nui as well as Tahiti Iti, joined to the main island by the isthmus of Taravao. Helicopter and plane tours offer a great way of seeing the two islands. The 4WD tours around the island provide a more complete view of the islands. Explore the breathtaking Papenoo Valley and enjoy a swim in one of its many waterfalls, visit the Vaihiria Lake and the many maraes (Polynesian temples). Take a leisurely bushwalk into tropical jungle featuring giant ferns at an altitude of 1400 metres or climb Mount Marau for a spectacular view of Tahiti's neighbouring islands. Tahiti also has a wide range of activities to keep the most active traveller entertained, from hang gliding, bowling and tennis, to deep-sea fishing, sailing, surfing, and scuba diving, to windsurfing, jetskiing, waterskiing, and snorkelling. Plus, the island's mountainous interior provides challenging and unusual trekking tours into valleys and up mountains, as well as discovering lava tubes, burial caves and hidden grottoes. The islands of Moorea, Bora Bora and Tetiaroa are also all close enough for a day trip from Tahiti. Hotel Tiare Tahiti Hotel Tiare Tahiti is located right on the waterfront in Papeete's most elegant neighbourhood. From the hotel it is only several minutes walk to excellent restaurants, Papeete's local market, Bougainville Park, Yacht Harbour and the waterfront promenade, shops and restaurants. Centrally located Built on part of Pomare's Royal Estate, the hotel's site is close to the heart of the small village of Papeete founded in 1818. For more than a century until the 1960s the American Consulate occupied the site and today the hotel combines its historical heritage with Polynesian charm and modern facilities. There are 38 deluxe air-conditioned guestrooms, each with a bathroom, telephone and television. The rooms are elegant, spacious and adorned with Polynesian artefacts. Most feature a private lanai with magnificent harbour views across to the nearby island of Moorea. The hotel also boasts a coffee shop, breakfast room, 24-hour reception, safe deposit box and provides currency exchange. A tour desk assists guests with activities such as snorkelling, diving and cruises. For a casual dinner, stroll to nearby Les Roulottes at the town square on the waterfront. These "restaurants on wheels" sell everything from Italian to Chinese cuisine as well as a local favourite, Poisson Cru. Also nearby is the Vaima Centre with many upmarket shops and interesting nightlife. Hotel Tiare Tahiti offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel and is a convenient 10–minute drive to the airport. Tel: +689 500 100 Fax: +689 436 847 Email: hotltiaretahiti@mail.pf www.hoteltiaretahiti.info www.hoteltiaretahiti.pf www.paradisesonline.com 233 417 Boulevard Pomare, BP 2359 Papeete, Tahiti FRENCH POLYNESIA

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