Tahiti is a classy vacation spot. It is Europe’s epitome of tropical paradise. No other place on earth can duplicate the mixture of French stylishness and South Pacific allure that Tahiti welcomes its tourists with. Being French Polynesia’s biggest island, it can certainly have ample room to welcome you with open arms. But are you as prepared for what to expect when you get there? Tahiti is a relatively huge place to spend your vacation in, and has been established to be one of the most sought-after tourist spots on earth. You cannot afford to get lost or get less of the ultimate Tahiti experience.
While it’s true that there is a well of surprises that awaits you in the island of Tahiti, it is wise, much safer and practical to make some preparations of sorts before you start your vacation and exploration. It won’t spoil the surprises for you, but it will make you more ensured of a safe journey free from any distraction or danger.
First of all, you need some cultural preparation. Most of modern Tahiti residents are French and to be able to speak fluent French is an advantage, if not a complete must-have along with your tanning lotion and beach gear. They have their own language but it may be more difficult to learn than French. They are semi-autonomous but completely rendered with French civil and political rights. The Tahitian people are, over time, becoming more open with using English as an alternative language, but if you really want to make a good impression and gain the locals’ goodwill, it will be really help if you speak their language (Tahitian or French) even if it’s just for minor greetings and asking surface-level questions such as “Bonjour.” Keep a good dictionary in handy just in case you get stuck in the middle of a conversation with a local.
The weather may also be another thing you have to adjust to. There will not be much difficulty, but you can’t expect to wear your usual covered gear as you step off in Tahitian soil. You will definitely have to get used to the heat of the sun, and you may be required to arm yourself with more SPF than ever. A good tanning lotion and other products that will help diminish any sunburn would be a good way to prepare for a Tahitian trip. It’s one of their trademarks, and you wouldn’t be able to consider yourself coming from a satisfying Tahiti vacation if you haven’t been kissed by the Pacific sun.
You can expect upon arriving in Tahiti the two volcanoes: Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti) and Tahiti Iti (the Little Tahiti). No worries about eruption because both volcanoes are extinct and have emerged out of the Pacific island from as far back as tourists started to discover this idyllic tropical paradise in French Polynesia.
The place Bora Bora is often associated interchangeably with Tahiti itself. Although it is only a region of Tahiti, it is one of Tahiti’s best global trademarks. Bora bora is the “Pearl of the Pacific,” and it boasts of white sand, a turquoise lagoon which will leave you breathless and its lovely coral reefs. You will have to bring a camera with high quality resolution if you really want to capture the moments spent in this exotic islet.
Tahiti’s major city is the Papeete. It is Tahiti’s administrative center and major city. Despite the fact that Tahiti is a tropical paradise, it still does not exempt itself from conforming to global practices of having their own formal venue for administrative affairs. Papeete used to be notoriously known to have the worst traffic-infested streets and air pollution—a stark and disconcerting contrast to the island it promotes. Though previously destroyed in the World Wars, recent urban developments were able to restore some of Papeete’s ruined areas and was able to convert it into a more dignified and somewhat pleasurable hangout for both tourists and locals.
If you are staying for a longer time, you may also be concerned about places of worship in Tahiti. No need to worry, because Tahiti is one of the places in the world which embraces and celebrates human diversity. This also includes religious practices. Although majority of them are Protestants or Catholics, other sects will not feel out of place because there are also other avenues of worship aside from Christian churches.
