For the Polynesian Maohi , ancestors of today's Tahitian, Raiatea was known as Sacred HAWAI'I. Named from their
homeland which many historians believe to have included Tonga and Samoa. Raiatea became the center of Maohi royalty, religion, history and heraldry. The Marae Taputapuatea (Stone Temple) was the most important in eastern Polynesia. In Raiatea also is the only navigable river " Faaroa " in French Polynesia.

   Huahine 

"The Garden Island"

Photo: Canoe Petroglyph, Huahine, Tahiti

Check out the Panorama photos of Huahine

I was heading for the Island of Huahine which lies 175 KM (110 miles) northwest of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands and is visible from Raiatea, Tahaa and  Bora Bora. Comprised of Huahine Nui (big Huahine) and Huahine-Iti (little Huahine), the two islands are joined by a narrow isthmus and are enclosed within a protective necklace of coral. I was traveling in Tahiti with Patrick. I met Patrick in Fiji as we were both looking for the dreams waves. We both were heading for Tahiti. When we arrived in Papeete  we were immediately planning to leave the 'busy' main Island. Patrick heard about Huahine, the surf Mecca, from some friends. Huahine is covered with lush dense rainforests and huge trees growing on the slopes of a very varied and dramatic geography. Off-shore motu islets lie inside the barrier reef, providing sheltered gardens for Huahine's watermelon and cantaloupe industry. A very scenic road, mostly non-paved, winds through green canopies and beautiful vistas for 32 km (20 miles) around the two islands, passing through small villages where a total of 4,480 inhabitants live in colorful, modest homes. The lagoon, bordered by white sand beaches, is rich with sea life, and Maeva Village is a wealth of archaeological sites that go back to a 1000 years. The (only) little town of Fare slumbers under the shade of almond and acacia trees, and awakens with expectations for the frequent arrivals of the inter-island ferries from Papeete.  Then truckloads of copra, pigs, taro, bananas and melons are brought to the quay for market day. People from all over the island mingle with arriving passengers and a few curious tourists, all enjoying the bustling activity and wandering in and out of the various quaint shops along Fare's waterfront. Then the ships blast their farewell and head out the pass, the last "le truck" leaves town, headed for the villages once again. And life on this peaceful island resumes its normal pace.   

Surfing and experiencing the natural wonders

Fitii and Parea are also excellent sites on Huahine.

The Waves are clear and warm. 

The sun sets and slowly millions of stars appear in the sky. It's something I haven't captured. 

PAUL GAUGUIN(artist) Put Tahiti on the map. Wonder if he ever found the mystical utopian paradise he was looking for?. ..Didn't find it here. Went to the Marquesas- and died there. Musee Paul Gauguin has huge blow up pictures of the artist.

Sleeping in my favorite position

Find out & look!.  The story of the

Tahiti and Diving. Two best friends!

The island of HUAHINE is thought to be the most beautiful and most authentic of the
Leeward Islands, with fabulous underwater sites. Customized to individual levels of expertise, the selected dives are often in the pass or the open ocean outside the reef, along the coral drop-offs. All the fauna of the South Pacific can be encountered: rays, sharks, napoleon fish, tunas, barracudas, jacks, moray eels etc...

                                               
Maururu!