VACATION DETAILS

Bora Bora is considered one of the most romantic places anywhere. Dominant from the moment of arrival are majestic Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia, two towering volcanic peaks of black rock jutting out of the center of the emerald-green island. Often shrouded in clouds, these landmarks take on mysterious and mythical qualities. Off-road excursions, bicycling, and hiking into this wild beauty reveal incredible panoramas and valleys. Hundreds of brilliantly-colored fish, intricate gardens, and clear water also create some of the very best undersea worlds. For an exhilarating expedition, swim with and watch local divers feed small, non-dangerous lagoon sharks. Bora Bora has several ancient temples and authentic Polynesian villages. There are also some reminders of World War II with a number of cannon emplacements left behind by the U.S. Navy.

Rangiroa is a perfect example of what happnes to a volcano when it erodes over time. Its caldera submerged, creating a body of water surrounded by a dotted ring of sand and reef. Truly one of the world's greatest diving destinations, Rangiroa attracts both amateur and professional divers worldwide.

The island of Fatu Hiva is spectacularly beautiful with jungle greenery beginning at the water's edge, and narrow ravines, deep gorges and luxuriant valleys close to sheer cliffs that plunge straight down into the splashing surf. The Bay of Virgins, with its rock curtains Catholic missionaries said were formed as veiled virgins, encloses Hanavava Bay. White patches of goats and sheep look down from green mansions above the quiet harbor. Large, tasty shrimp live in the rivers and rock lobsters are plentiful. Dried bananas are a specialty of Fatu Hiva, as is Umu Hei Monoi -- a delightful blend of flowers and herbs. Sculptors carve miro, tou and sandalwood, plus coconuts and basaltic stones. Artisans still produce tapa cloth made from tree bark and painted with designs their ancestors wore as tattoos. Omoa is one of two villages inhabitants live in. A narrow path winds over the mountains between the villages, offering a challenging hike and panoramic views. The Catholic church in Omoa is one of the most picturesque scenes in any Marquesan village.

Above the steady rumble of the Pacific surge, the sharply sculpted mountains of Hiva Oa hide their summits in the mists of rain-filled clouds. The largest and most fertile island in the southern group of the Marquesas, Hiva Oa has deep valleys, lush plateaus and thickly wooded forests.

A crescent shaped island, Ua Huka is the smallest of the northern Marquesan group and home to 539 inhabitants. A vast plateau spreads out at the base of Mount Hitikau, with an arid, desert like topo scrub brush. Wild horses roam the tablelands and herds of goats graze around and on the small airstrip. Wild cotton and fragrant herbs cover the hills of the southern coast and offshore islets are home to sea birds. The coast off Haavei is rich in sea life, filled with sharks, dolphins, manta ray, big turtles, lobster and a variety of fish. The oldest archaeological site so far discovered in the Marquesas is at Haíatuatua in Hane, which was settled between 254-300 A.D. A second archeological site of Vaikki permits each visitor to admire ancient petroglyphs. A small museum of Marquesan artifacts is found in Vaipaee, a second museum in Hane and fern-covered valleys conceal ruins from the seven tribes who formerly inhabited Ua Huka. Near Hane are three tiki sculpted from red rock. These and other sites may be visited by foot, horseback or by all-terrain vehicles.

Ua Pou has one of the earthís most dramatic skylines - a wilderness of fantastic peaks, thrusting 4,000 feet into the ocean sky and Great Cathedral spires, and strange obelisk-shaped columns that give the island its name - the pillars. Ua Pou is the third largest island in the Marquesas archipelago. Hakahau boasts the first Marquesan church, built in 1859, and in Haakuti and Hakahetau villages there are small Catholic churches built on top of paepae platforms. Hakahau has a hospital, gendarmerie, bank, post office, food stores, boutiques, Air Tahiti office, port facilities, schools, Catholic and Protestant churches, pensions, restaurants and bars.

Nuku Hiva is the largest island in the Marquesas archipelago, and its beauty from the sea or in the air high above the island is truly breathtaking. The 2,100 inhabitants live in Taiohae, Taipivai, Hatiheu, Aakapa, Pua, Haumi, Anaho and Hakaui, where they work for the government, the community, the Catholic church or school system or for themselves chopping copra high in the mountains, fishing, raising cattle and other livestock or sculpting bowls, platters, Marquesan ceremonial clubs, "tikis" and ukuleles.

An hour and a half flight from Papeete, rectangular-shaped Fakarava is a charming village, home to most of the atoll's 248 inhabitants. The only other - sort of - settlement (10 people ) is on Tetamanu Motu Islet located opposite the lagoon next to the smaller but prettier pass. Fakarava's immense lagoon has several black pearl farms, idyllic white sand beaches and is peppered with small islands, homes to many breeds of nesting birds oblivious to visitors.

Papeete, the modern and bustling capital of Tahiti and Her Islands, contains government offices, Gendarmerie, hospitals and clinics, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the population of the islands as well as tourists who come for a life-enriching experience to these magical islands.