Mutiny to Tahiti and French Polynesia, by David Stanley

Since the age of explorers Wallis, Bougainville, andday - expensive! Options include renting a bicycle
Cook, legendary Tahiti has tickled imaginationsinstead of a car (on Moorea and Bora Bora) or
worldwide. More recently, Tahiti became the mosttraveling by le truck or public bus (on Tahiti).
famous Polynesian island of all when Clark GableFour-wheel-drive safari tours are offered on all
(1935), Marlon Brando (1962), and Mel Gibsonthe main islands and these are also cheaper than
(1984) played the role of Fletcher Christian inrenting a car. On Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, and
three blockbuster Mutiny on the Bounty films.Bora Bora, there are sightseeing tours by
Even the horrendous French nuclear testingoutrigger canoe.
program from 1966-1996 did little to dampen thisWhen to go? May to October is the cooler, less
image.humid time, although prolonged rainfall is possible
For the modern traveler, there's no gettingyearround. An optimum time to be there is for
around the fact that French Polynesia isthe Heiva festival on Tahiti, Huahine, and Bora
expensive. Bora Bora is easily the most upscaleBora in early July. Whatever, don't miss attending
tourist destination in the South Pacific with 17at least one Island Night at a fancy resort for the
resorts charging over US$250 double a nightwild tamure dancing and drumming. These happen
without meals. Yet it's also true that you canseveral times a week. You can often avoid the
greatly reduce your costs if you book your tophigh cost of the buffet by settling for a drink at
end hotel rooms as part of a package tour.the bar.
Another option is to stay in small locally-operatedOne thing you won't encounter in French Polynesia
pensions. Bora Bora has seven hostels and- unless you spend most of your time at a large
pensions in the US$50-100 range and Moorea hasresort - is a tourist glut. French Polynesia gets
11. On Moorea you can also camp.only 200,000 tourists a year compared to the six
Most visitors get around the islands by air, and Airmillion who visit Hawaii. Geographically, Tahiti is
Tahiti operates efficient services to 46 islands andactually east of Hawaii, and the flight from Los
atolls in French Polynesia. Here again, you canAngeles to Tahiti takes only 7.5 hours, just 2.5
save money by purchasing one of Air Tahiti'shours more than it takes to fly to Hawaii. My
28-day air passes. A Society Islands air pass willmost memorable experience in French Polynesia?
cost around US$400, or US$550 if you add onThe cruise to the Marquesas Islands on the
the Tuamotu Islands. The only interisland boat tripAranui, something I hope to do again very soon.
which is easy to do is Tahiti to Moorea which###
operates every two hours and costs US$10.David Stanley is the author of Moon Tahiti
Passenger-carrying cargo boats do ply from Tahitipublished by Avalon Travel Publishing of Berkeley,
to Bora Bora several times a week, but they'reCalifornia. Stanley's travel photos of French
basic and the overnight trip can be rough. If youPolynesia may be perused at Pacific Pictures.
want to experience the boat trip one way, you'reYou have permission to publish this article
better off flying from Tahiti to Bora Bora andelectronically or in print, free of charge, so long as
then returning to Tahiti by boat. I explain why inthe byline and resource box are included. Please
my guidebook, Moon Tahiti.do not use this article without the byline and
Car rentals in French Polynesia average US$100 aresource box. Many thanks!