French Polynesia

Bora Bora – the island of romance
The island, whose recognizable image is given by Mount Otemanu, is especially popular among newlyweds and eternal romantics. Pora Pora is the mythical name of the island, and it is said to mean 'first born', as according to Polynesian legend it was right Bora Bora the first island that the Supreme God Taaroa pulled out of the water after creating Havai'i, now known as Raiatea. Besides sunset walks and sleepless nights in beautiful overwater bungalows (many of which even have glass floors), the most popular activity for visitors is observing the underwater life on the coral reef. In October, the Hawaiki Nui Va'a competition, one of the most spectacular marine competitions in the world, ends in Bora Bora. More than a hundred traditional canoes embark on a 130-kilometer long sea journey that starts on the island of Huahine and ends on Bora Bora. The end of the competition is also marked by a magnificent bringua party - a traditional Polynesian celebration with lots of music and even more drinks. Bora Bora is also home to some of the most beautiful hotels on earth. The Bora Bora Hotel was built in 1961 on a remote but easily accessible part of Raititi Island and boasts 54 bungalows and three beaches. Some of the bungalows are built over the water, while others stand in the cool shade of tropical gardens and also offer private pools. Just like the offer, the prices are also dreamy, hovering around US$700 per bungalow. Bora Bora is full of exclusive resorts, among the dreamy ones is the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, which is located on a small sandy island with a beautiful view of Bora Bora and a wellness center that uses many traditional Polynesian methods.

Tahiti – Queen of the Pacific
The Queen's Crown, as the most populated part of the Society Islands is called in tourist brochures, is formed by magnificent peaks, which hide deep valleys, wild rivers and high waterfalls in their bosoms. Like the other islands, it also has Tahiti the legend of its origin, which says that the island was not forever where it is today, but was moved to its current location, which is why it also has the name Tahiti, which means 'moved'. Tahitians also pass on their traditions from generation to generation. For the past 120 years, July has been marked by the Heiva festival, where artisans present their products, athletes test their strength in ancient sports, and everyone has fun together with attractive dance performances. One of the most famous Tahitian 'decorations' is the tattoo, which originates from Tahiti itself. The legend of the origin of the tattoo tells of Tohu, the god of tattoos, who is supposed to dress all the fish in the ocean in beautiful colors and patterns. In Polynesian culture, a tattoo is a sign of beauty and was sometimes ceremoniously worn by young people upon entering adulthood. A place where you can observe Tahitian life every day of the year is the Papeete market. Especially after visiting the church on Sundays, it seems as if the entire population of the capital has flocked to the stalls with exotic fruits, colorful flowers and fish. The part of the market that is particularly interesting for tourists is where they sell useful items and souvenirs, which are not the best or the cheapest, but they are an interesting display of the range of Tahitian products in one place. Tahitian colors, smells and tastes, and especially the exotic Polynesian young women, also attracted the French painter Paul Gaugin to the island, who spent ten of his last twelve years in Tahiti, mainly in the villages of Mataiea and Punaauia. Unfortunately, only a few of his sketches are on display in the museum dedicated to the painter, which is why we take the time to visit the nearby botanical gardens, which were founded in 1919 by the American professor Harrison Smith. A walk among the lush growth brings us much closer to the landscape that fascinated Gaugin. The exoticism of Polynesian flavors is also extraordinary in Tahitian cuisine, and currently, as elsewhere in the world, Tahiti is dominated by a cuisine that combines flavors from different parts of the world. It is thus one of the most popular restaurants of L'Eurasiene. It is run by owner Jeannine Letiver, who is of French-Vietnamese descent, which is also noticeable in her kitchen. A reservation at the restaurant, located in the remote area of Taravao, is difficult to get, but pleasure is guaranteed.

Moorea – the magical island
A wide and shallow lagoon that surrounds richly hairy pointed peaks, mighty waterfalls in the bowels of the island, an underwater kingdom of all possible shapes and colors, and friendly pastel-colored villages. Dreams of a tropical South Seas paradise come true on Moorea. Since tourism is the main source of income for the 250,000 inhabitants of French Polynesia, for a truly authentic experience of living in a tropical paradise, we must visit more remote islands such as the Austral or Gambier Islands, as well as the Marquesas Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago. On Moorea, they try to conjure up authenticity for visitors in the village of Iki, run by the Frenchman Olivier Briac. Although kitschy, the village is a place where you can shop, get tattooed, rent and even get married all in one place. The most interesting part is the performance of a group of Polynesian dancers and a fire dance. Moorea, however, is not only reserved for pampered tourists with deep pockets, but also offers hospitality to those with thinner wallets. Dream Island Guest House is located on a private island and consists of a few modestly furnished bungalows, a cozy kitchen and above all a large, shaded terrace, perfect for admiring cinematic sunsets. Guests who want complete relaxation, in addition to beautiful nature, like to enjoy the royal treatments of the Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa. Couples invigorate themselves with a magical love potion from the Marquesas Islands called umuheioil with treatments such as Manea Manea, which includes full-body care, and of course enjoy relaxing baths and massages in luxuriously furnished bungalows by the sea. A healthy life should also be accompanied by healthy food and drink, which is not difficult on the island, which is also called the pineapple island. The best drinks on the island are produced in the Jus de fruits de Moorea factory, which you can also visit, try some of their products and get refreshments during long lounging on the beaches. The local specialty is called poisson cru – raw tuna marinated in coconut and lime juice. The best can be tried at La Plage restaurant. We have to row to the restaurant first or rent a boat, but especially Sunday lunches, when the restaurant is flooded with locals in swimsuits, are worth a few extra "cvens", because the restaurant becomes a home yard in the South Sea.