Raiatea, meaning "faraway heaven" and
"sky with soft light", was first named
Havai'i after the homeland of the ancient
Polynesians and is the most sacred island in the
South Pacific.
This, the second largest Tahitian isle, was the
center of religion and culture over 1000 years
ago and still lends enchantment to ancient legends
told to this day. The green-carpeted mountains include the celebrated Mt.
Temehani, a sort of Polynesian Mt. Olympus.
Where legends began
and dreams are fulfilled.
Taha'a - The Vanilla Island
Taha'a, with the rich aroma of vanilla lingering
heavily in the air, offers a glimpse of the traditional,
tranquil life of the Tahitians. The flower-shaped
island's simple beauty is charmed by soft mountain
shapes and surrounded by tiny motu with bright
sand beaches. In the fertile valleys cutting within
the island, local farmers grow watermelon, vanilla,
and copra.
With a heart-beat rhythm
of life unique in the world.
Tiare Apetahi Flower
Upon Mt. Temehani on Raiatea lives the Tiare Apetahi, a flower so
rare it can be grown no place else on earth. Each dawn the petals open with a slight crackling sound. Legends describe this as the sound of the broken heart of a common women who was not allowed to marry the son of the Tahitian king.
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