T he display of the Museum of Tahiti is presented in 4 halls. The first hall is devoted to the geography and animal world of the islands. Th e second hall relates to the culture, consuetudes and way of life of Polynesians until t he arrival of the European colonialists. Tools presented here were made from cockleshells, stone s , bones of animals. The third hall is devoted to the history of religion of the native population. In the center of this hall there is a temple of "marae" with stone idols. One p art of the hall is filled by the Tat oo Art , which Polynesians do masterly. The last hall tells about the i sland colonization history : from the Polynesian people t ill t he advent of the Europeans, about their missionary activity. Accompanying texts are presented on three languages: French, English and Polynesian.
Paul Gauguin Museum reveals th e period of the artist’s li f e on the Polynesian islands. Among exhibits there are copies of the pictures painted on Tahiti, his personal things, including sketches, copies of documents, engravings. Gauguin considered that it is difficult to arrive on Tahiti, but to leave it is practically impossible, and the artist himself spent many years in this cosy nook.
In the Museum of black pearl you will be told about its history, technique of production, about its mythological, philosophical and religious value. You will see the criteria of its qualities, which will allow you to judge about the value of pearls. Here it is possible also to purchase unique valuables from the private collection of Robert Van - The Pearl’s Emperor.
The museum of the writer James Norman Hall was opened on Tahiti quite recently – in 2002. James Norman Hall was born in the USA. He was a military pilot, writer of world renown , lived and worked on Tahiti from 1924 to 1951.
A museum is built according to the sample of the house, in which Hall lived. Among the exhibits there are personal things of the author, including his table, typewriter, collection of works of art. On the shelves there are 3000 books, some of which are books of other famous writers, including Robert Lewis Stevenson, Jack London, Rupert Brooke, Herbert Melville, which also were living on Tahiti. The visitors of the museum are regaled with a tea in the garden under the branches of mango’s trees. The government of French Polynesia finances this museum.
Palace of Queen Pomare IV, p resently the city administration of city Papeete is situated in the reconstructed building of this palace, and in 19 century it was the residence of the Queen Pomare IV, which governed on the island.
The botanical garden is a natural preserve with rare standards of Polynesia ’s flora.
Island Excursions
The islands extraordinary differ from each other, therefore an excursion deep into or around of any island will bring to the tourist many impressions. There is a harbour in Tahiti, where the discovery of Polynesia started by the seafarers Wilson and Cook. You can feed huge fishes by yourself, to take pleasure in a view of powerful falls and magnificent panoramas, and to visit the local museums, which are entirely different from other museums anywhere.
During your walks on islands, probably, you will see tiare plantations. This aromatic flower forms a basis for preparation of monoi. Monoi is oil for strengthening and mitigation of sunburn, which more than 70 years is one of the bases of economy and also one of the cultural symbols of Polynesia.
Shark Feeding
By all means feed these peaceful giants with a sharp teeth. Such impressions are unforgettable. Those who do not like sharp sensations can simply observe dolphins; here they extremely like to communicate. Hotel Beachcomber on Moorea can provide you such opportunity.
Motu Picnic
Every island has a volcanic origin. In some cases (Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora) the extinct volcanos exist till now. In other cases (Rangiroa, Mahini...) the volcano has plunged into the ocean. But around of volcanic mountains there is always a coral belt, which sticks out from the water. This belt is broken into several small islands, which refer to "Motu". These small islands are almost flat and coconut trees cover them. In an environment of the virgin nature Tahitians will prepare a fantastic table for you with every possible Tahitian foods.
Here you will acquaint with the history, ways of preparation of dishes. The local people will tell you jokes and will teach you to dance, if you hadn’t a time to join yet to Tahitian dances in village Tiki Village on the Moorea Island.
Tiki Village deserves a special attention, as the cultural heritage of Polynesia is concentrated here. Here you can try Tahitian dishes, observe local residents and their historically developed way of life, to watch a concert and dances with fire, and also to order a wedding ceremony according to the local customs. Besides you can order an excursion by helicopter, fishing, and drive a canoe or a boat with a transparent bottom.
Observing whales
The unusually turquoise, warm, attracting and rich with life waters of a lagoon surround the islands of French Polynesia. Lead half or all the day long on the board of a small plane. From height of its flight you can observe a sea life and sea’s inhabitants - dolphins, whales and to uncover a lot of new things.
