Parahi oe (Good bye), Tahiti, Huahine, Rarotonga , Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, Moorea

Parahi oe (Good bye), , Tahiti, Huahine, Rarotonga , Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, Moorea
Mauruuru (Thank you), Takk . French Polynesia og Cook Islands.
14 days in tropical paradise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands

French Polynesia conjures up visions of deserted beaches, clear warm waters, swaying palm trees and the romance of a South Seas adventure. French Polynesia was hot and humid, but very enjoyable and beautiful. Cook Islands with Rarotonga as the capital was even better. The people was friendly, and we had the opportunity to see several local folkloric shows with a lot of dance and music. The children of Tamarii Uturoa was amasing.

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Tahiti, (French Polynesia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahiti

Think of any superlative – beautiful, stunning, magnificent, spectacular….and you just begin to describe Tahiti. Part of the Windward Islands, Tahiti makes up more than one-quarter of the total surface of French Polynesia and tw thirds of the population. Tahiti is made up of two Islands, Tahiti Nui (big) and Tahiti Iti (little) , where the Nui Islamd with the capital Papeete is the modern-day urbanization center. In Tahiti, outside the towns, you find high cliffs, cascading waterfalls, dark lava rocks, dense forest, breathtaking flora and beautiful people.

100.000 people is living here, where French and Tahitian is the most common languages.

Huahine, (French Polynesia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huahine

Virtually untouched by any signs of turism until very recently, Huahine remains a perfect refuge for those seeking peace and solitude. The slow-paced life on Huahine provides a stark contrast to the bustle of Papeete. Huahine is made up of two separate islands, Huahine Nui and Hahine Iti and connected with a narrow bridge. The island is know as the "Garden island" for its lush foliage and verdant tropical landscapes, and it is blessed with an abundance of long, white beaches and palm-fringed motus (little offshore islands). Fishing, agriculture icluding vanilla, coffee, taro, breadfruit, mango, papaya and bananas is the lifeblood of the island's economy. Population of 5500.

Rarotonga (New Zealand) , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rarotonga

With the Kingdom of Tonga and the Samos to the west and French Polynesia to the east, the Cook Islands lie virtually in the center of the Polynesian triangle. Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands, is the main island with a population of 10000 people. "Raro" is mountainious and covered in jungle, with luxurious ferns, creepers and trees. Surrounded by a protective coral reef, its turquoise lagoons are as luring as the cocounut-palm fringed white-sand beaches.

We spent a day at the Muri Beach and the Motus nearby. Just Wonderful.

Maori is the local language but English is widely spoken (New Zealand). The first Polynesians first arrived here in 800 AD. Pre-European society was governed by ariki, a hierarchy of tribals chiefs. Life on the islands went virtually unchanged until the arrival of the English missionaries in 1821. The Cook Islanders was easily converted to Christianity. The years to come a lot of people died inevitably by the contact with Europeans and their unknown diseases. With its isolated location and offering no economic importance the island attracted few traders and little attention from the European nations. Between 1862 and 1863, hundres of slaves were lured by Peruvian slave traders. In fear of French influence, British formally declared the Cook Islands a protectorate in 1888, and later annexted the island to New Zealand. In 1965 the Cook Island won their independence, but still rely on New Zealand for defense and international matters.

The slow and easy pace of life, the relaxed atmosphere, the beauty, and combined with warm and sunny climate this is the perfect island for a relaxing get-a-way. Our favourite island, even before Bora Bora….

Raiatea, (French Polynesia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raiatea

Considered the most sacred of all the Society Islands by Polynesioan's past and present, even outsiders admit that there is an undeniable mystique that hangs over Raiatea. The allied kingdoms of Polynisia journeyed by canoe, sometimes covering great distance, to hold tribal meetings and ceremonies at Marae Taputapuatea in Opoa on the south east side of the island. At one time, even human sacrifices were performed here. Raiatea is the second largest island in French Polynesia. 10057 people lives here.

Tahaa, (French Polynesia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahaa

Nestled within the same lagoon as Raiatea and encircled by the same protective barrier reef lies the little island of Tahaa. If Raiatea is quiet, Tahaa is quieter still. Small pearl farms dot the warm, clear waters of Tahaa. Population of 4470 people, which makes their living of fisching, production of coconut and vanilla, and pearlfarms.

Bora Bora, (French Polynesia), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_Bora

Bora Bora is considered by many as the most beautiful island in the world. We can almost agree on that, even if we actually liked Rarotonga better. Bora Bora is very expensive, but with great resorts , stunning views and at least when we where there very little turists (just honeymooners). Population is 4000.

Bora Bora nature painted a perfect masterpiece of deep green volcanic peaks edged by a ribbon of reef and magnificent white-sand beaches. The lagoon has crystal clear water ranging from deep amethyst to light turquoise. A little paradise.

A French possession since 1888, Bora Bora became an American naval base between 1942 and 1946.

The main town in Bora Bora is Vaitape.

Moorea (French Polynesia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorea

Morea – Mountains that leap out of the lagoon, fine beaches, terrific scuba diving, some interesting marae, a number of excellent walks, a pleasantly unhurried pace of life and easy access from Tahiti all combine Moorea to the second most popular destination in French Polynesia. The island is formed like an beautiful green butterfly floating over a tranquil blue sea if seen from air. Several famous films has been filmed here.