French Polynesia is filled with tropical delights

French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands. Tahiti, in the Society Islands, is the largest in size and population with nearly 70 percent of the country's 275,000 inhabitants.

Papeete, the capital, is an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles. This small city can easily be explored in one day. The Queen's Walk has a spectacular profusion of pink and white water lilies. There are reminders of the explorers James Cook and Louis Antoine de Bougainville as you stroll through the town. The weather is tropically hot and humid, so the custom of afternoon siesta is a good one to observe.

At 6 every evening, large vans roll into the park next to the harbor and prepare meals consisting mostly of fresh fish specialties. These "roulottes" provide a gathering place for locals as well as tourists. Colorful outrigger canoes join the ships anchored in the bay, making for a lovely view.

A short ferry ride away is the island of Moorea, with breathtaking views of green mountains sloping down to the deep blue sea in Cook's Bay. Bali Hai, the mountain made famous in the movie "South Pacific" is here.

You can still see bunkers built by the United States as a supply and staging area during World War II.

Colorful clothing, joyful singing, powerful dancing and friendly, relaxed people are the norm here. Papayas, mangoes, bananas and breadfruit are abundant. Popular items to buy are colorful fabric pareos, flower leis and shell jewelry. Lodging prices are fairly high. Over-the-water thatched bungalows cost $1,000 per night, and small, family-run pensions charge $200. One U.S. dollar currently buys about 110 CFP francs.

Throughout the islands, tropical flowers abound and visitors are greeted with fragrant leis to wear. Hibiscus, plumeria, orchids and dozens of other species fill every yard. Locals and tourists alike can be seen wearing flowers in their hair. The beauty of French Polynesia is a feast for the eyes and these gorgeous islands are well worth a visit.

The writer lives in Mesa.

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