Tahiti: Where Hawaiians Go to Unwind
February 16, 2006
It's more exotic than
Hawaii, more
remote than the
Caribbean, and more beautiful than your wildest dreams. Tahiti is often
reputed to be not just one of the most stunning islands in the world, but the
most stunning island on the planet. And if, by the end of reading this, you're
not convinced to take on of the cruises there, think about this: Tahiti is where
Hawaiians go to get away from it all.
There's only one cruise line that goes to
Tahiti in
2006, and that's Radisson Seven Seas Cruise Line. Emphasizing intimate comfort,
fabulous amenities, and great service, the
Radisson Seven Seas
Cruise Line's main focus is you. Radisson Cruise Line has only five ships
comprising the fleet:
Voyager,
Mariner,
Navigator,
Explorer II, and
Paul Gauguin.
It's the latter that sails to the unspoiled island in French Polynesia.
The smallest of the RSSC ships is the
Paul Gauguin,
a 320-guest vessel that specializes in the art of 'dream-realization.' The m/s
Paul Gauguin incorporates the six-star standards of service and comfort for
which Radisson Seven
Seas is renowned, featuring spacious staterooms (50% with private
balconies), a state-of-the-art marina, single seating dining, an extensive spa,
and much more. But while the ship is impressive enough, just wait 'til you get
to the island.
Tahiti is basically divided into two mains sections: Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti.
The main island of the Society Islands, which also includes the stunning Moorea
and Bora Bora,
Tahiti is about 620 square miles in size and takes about 6 hours to drive
around. The island combines two shield volcanoes joined by a narrow
isthmus---Tahiti-Nui is the larger half; Tahiti-Iti is almost devoid of population
and very remote.
If you were to think of the island as the shape of a frying pan, Tahiti Nui
would be the skillet and Tahiti Iti would be the handle.
Tahiti-Iti
is very rustic with some attractive Polynesian style villages and a few small
beaches on its south coast. There are many excellent hiking trails on both the
south and north coast and the road along the coast passes by some of the
island's most outstanding scenery.
The north and east coast of Tahiti-Nui has some of the most dramatic mountain
scenery on the island, several good waterfalls and many black sand beaches. It's
also where you'll find Papeete, the capital city at which your
cruise ship will
dock.
Papeete is a fairly large city; about 100,000 people call it home. When you're
amidst the crowded markets and shops, you'll feel miles away from the serene
peace that is offered in
Tahiti's
more remote areas. Yet if you want to have a fun night on the town, you can
definitely do so in Papeete.
If you're looking for eco-adventures, you've come to the right place. In Tahiti,
you'll find trails weaving surreptitiously through dense jungles, and waterfalls
and rivers that flow through millennia's old volcanic lava tubes. There are
hundreds of ancient marae, ancient stone Polynesian structures, that will excite
historians and dreamers alike. Get a guide to take you through the main Lava
Tube. Your path will take you along the river under a canopy of thick foliage
and chattering birds; by the end of it you'll be all smiles and covered in mud.
Bring a good set of hiking shoes if this sounds like you're type of fun.
Of course, romance is as much part of the Tahitian scenery as the sky-blue
lagoons and copses of bamboo trees. Honeymooners love Tahiti for the solitude it
provides, as well as the long list of fun activities like scuba diving, sailing,
surfing, and beachcombing. Of course, you can ignore all of that and just enjoy
the beauty that's right in front of your eyes.
So call Cruise Network today and
reserve accommodations on the luxurious Paul Gauguin and sail to the pristine
island in the
South Pacific. 1-888-267-1232.
