Polinesia ha sido siempre y será un destino, mítico, mágico y soñado por muchos por la lejanía y el romanticismo que la envuelve. Para mí, después de conocerlo, lo es por lo virgen que sigue siendo.
After a 23-hour flight (Spain – Paris – Los Angeles – Papeete), we landed in the archipelago’s capital. Tahiti is the main island and its capital, while Papeete is the capital of the archipelago. Contrary to expectations, it’s not an island of idyllic beaches, as it’s of volcanic origin with black sand and lagoons. The city center is bustling and home to the municipal market, a mix of food and souvenirs. The day after our arrival, we took the boat to neighboring Moorea… Welcome to paradise!
Moorea Island lies opposite Tahiti and boasts a spectacular lagoon. Its crystal-clear waters lend it a magical quality, and the twin mountains form the breathtaking Opunohu Bay. Seen from above, it resembles a lake embraced by lush greenery. A truly unique and unforgettable place. The island is known as the pineapple capital. Numerous factories produce goods made from this fruit, which covers the island from top to bottom. Enjoying fresh shrimp marinated in coconut milk alongside two local women adorned in colorful dresses and crowns of natural flowers is a truly memorable experience.
The second island we visited was Raiatea, the island without a beach. Yes, incredibly, there’s an island in Polynesia that has no beach, but in return, it boasts the most amazing underwater world imaginable. It also has countless motus (pristine sand islets surrounding the lagoon) where swimming is a true luxury. Raiatea is known as the capital of the Māori people, inhabitants of the triangle formed by Hawaii, Easter Island, and New Zealand. They all gather once a year at Taputapuatea, a sacred site where their culture is believed to have originated.
Opposite Raiatea lies Taha’a Island; a dream come true. Nicknamed “Vanilla Island,” it’s known for its vast vanilla plantations, which give it an intoxicating scent that makes it magical. Pristine and lush with greenery, it boasts a unique coral reef. Two of the best experiences of my life happened on this island: swimming with sharks and snorkeling on the coral reef. Unforgettable!
From there we went to Bora Bora, mythical and magical, like something out of an idyllic postcard seen from the sky, with the largest lagoon in the world, wonderful for sailing and enjoying the sea, especially the paradise of the Overwater bungalows, cabin-style rooms built over the water. The quintessential image of Polynesia.
We ended our trip on Huahine, the mountain island. Its lush, green interior is ideal for exploring by quad bike or 4×4. It boasts the most secluded public coves, is the most bohemian, has fewer hotels, and offers the most authentic Caribbean atmosphere. A magnificent finale.
When you leave Polynesia, you have the feeling of having traveled back in time, of having paused your life, of having gone to the other side of the world, of having visited a mythical and magical destination. When you leave Polynesia, you have a feeling of peace, something so difficult to find these days.
