These Boots Were Made For Traveling

Guest Post by Marie Nieves

For most casual travelers it begins and ends with “Tahiti plus Bora Bora”, but once you realize there are more than hundred islands under the banner of French Polynesia, you’ll feel overwhelmed with choices. Thankfully, the fact that they are divided into five distinct archipelagos makes matters a bit easier to grasp – there are the Society Islands (homes to the aforementioned tourist hotspots), the Marquesas Islands, The Tuamotu Islands, the Gambier Islands and the Austral Islands. If you ever decide to visit this paradise fragmented into islets and atolls across Pacific, here’s what it’s like to travel to French Polynesia.

What exactly is French Polynesia?

Located half-way between Australian and Californian coast, French Polynesia is a group of islands that covers a territory of around 7,000 square kilometers. Originally known as Polynésie Française, this extensive island grouping is actually an overseas territory that is still attached to France. It is therefore interesting to point out that the British actually discovered Tahiti in the 18th century – by none other than legendary Captain James Cook. As it turned out, nobody claimed Tahiti and the surrounding islands until the French decided to annex multitude of island groups in this corner of the ocean during the 19th century.

How to get there?

As a matter of fact, if you are a resident of European Union, you just need a singular piece of valid personal documentation to get in – you don’t need a visa, nor do you have a limited time frame of residence. In fact, residents of most European and Asian countries do not need a visa to stay up to 90 days in French Polynesia.
Apart from that, you can arrive via boat or plane, with the second one being a more reasonable and probable option. If you are traveling by boat or a ship, you can either board in Hawaii, Panama, New Zealand or Australia or disembark from a luxurious cruise ship that has the ports of Tahiti or Bora Bora as a regular part of its schedule.
If plane is your favorable mode of transportation, you’ll almost certainly land on the main airport of French Polynesia – Faa’a International, which is located only five kilometers west of Papeete, the capital of the island group that sits comfortably on the north-western coast of Tahiti.

If this is your first time on one of French Polynesia’s enchanting islands, you’ll probably be reeling from the extensive trip. Time difference and climate change can really do a number on your inner clock, so the best course of action is to reach your accommodation and rest for the afternoon or evening. Whether it is one of the incredible luxurious Bora Bora resorts or a small hotel on the outskirts of a town, the most important thing is to replenish your energy for the adventure to come.

What to do in Papeete?

The capital of French Polynesia is the biggest city in the overseas collectivity and an urban hub most newcomers tend to land on first. Once you get your bearings, the city offers excellent opportunity to get acquainted with local cultures and facts. The urbanity can be easily traversed since it is not exactly a metropolis – with circa 30,000 residents, the downtown area is a typical oceanfront cobweb of streets and landmarks. You can shop in one of Papeete’s numerous markets, eat out in a restaurant, or visit one of numerous upbeat cocktail bars (or more than one, it really depends on
whether you are a party animal).

Activities Abound

Of course, Papeete is far from the only interesting hotspot of French Polynesia. Tahiti and Bora Bora are only a jumping off point for an adventure across multitude of islands, secret beaches and plethora of aquatic activities. The beauty of this region is how freeform everything is. You can have a completely relaxing relationship dotted with an occasional dip or a skydiving adventure and a blood-pumping plunge into the surrounding depths which are brimming with colorful aquatic flora and
fauna.

The South Pacific is far from a desolate expanse of countless currents and endless waves. It is actually an incredible patchwork of tropical gems and enchanting coral reefs. As such, French Polynesia is the prime example of the best assortment of vibrant delights this corner of the world offers. If you ever decide to travel to this overseas territory of France, be prepared for a lengthy and surprising adventure that will thrill you at every turn.
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About the Author

Marie Nieves – an expat in Australia – is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. She spends most of her free time at home walking her Labrador Retriever named Max. She is an avid lover of photography who loves to talk about her experiences. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.