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Tahiti looks like a lopsided figure of eight from a bird’s eye view - made up of the twin islands of Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, joined together by a narrow isthmus called the Plateau of Taravo. The tall peaks of Mt. Orohena, (7,339 ft) and Mt. Aorai (6,786 ft) poke their heads out of the clouds that wreath the larger more rugged island of Tahiti Nui. The little one, Tahiti Iti has a low mountainous terrain with its highest point being Mt. Roniu at 4341 ft.
Both islands have extremely magnificent scenery that changes from lush green rainforest covered peaks, past dense stands of ferns to coastal plains that open out to the sea, bordered by either black sand beaches or those with silver sands. More drama is added by streaks of silver in the emerald green as waterfalls cascade down the slopes of valleys and cliffs to pool into turquoise lagoons and rippling ribbons of rivers.
The capital, Papeete is a busy, bustling town, home to the territorial government, offices, hospitals, banks, travel agents and airline offices – not really a holiday destination.
But it houses a fair number of interesting options for any visitor. The Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens, Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, the Paul Gauguin Art Museum and the Lagoonarium with its magnificent marine exhibits. Papeete’s waterfront is the epicentre of Tahiti with the main shopping district, the Marché Central just a block away. The market is chockful of tropical fruits and vegetables, fish fresh from the trawlers, Tahitian crafts and lots more.
Other interesting sights on Tahiti are the historical Pointe Vénus lighthouse; the tombs of the Pomare Royal Family in Arue; the ancient Polynesian temple site, the Marae Arahurahu, churches and cathedrals; art galleries and scenic attractions like Lake Vaihiria, Mount Aoroi, valleys, the cascades at Tiaeri and the lava tubes of Hitiaa.
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