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Les Tuamotu
The largest of the Polynesian archipelagoes which includes 76 islands and atolls spread out over more than 20,000 square km slumbered for many years, but now has come back to life through the establishment of some 250 pearl farms and tourism based around the rich scuba diving sites, which make it a winning destination. The very basic houses of the Tuamotu islands are charming with their typically whitewashed walls. The islanders cutely and tastefully decorate their rooms with "tifaifai" cushions, shell necklaces and shell art work. Close by, it is not unusual to see the family fish park, a real pantry where shoals of cavally, " duckbills " and parrotfish are swimming around. Children can choose a playmate from amongst the small sleeping sharks. On the surface of the vast inside lagoon of the atolls you can often see the outlines of little jetties and pearl farm structures, which are usually included in sightseeing tours for visitors curious to see how they work and to admire their pearls. Being faraway does not mean isolation and lack of comfort. " Green " solar energy provides electricity and hot water and all the modern means of communication are available in these atolls. On the other hand, water remains a precious commodity and every method of collecting is employed, rain water storage tanks in particular. Far from the bustling city, the Tuamotu offer a life-style that the Robinson Crusoe in all of us only dreams of Stepping right outside your normal home environment yet in harmony with nature's great ocean, between the sky and the sea, you soon learn how to live beyond the normal constraints of time.
Rangiroa
Ra’iroa got its name "huge sky " from its great length. It is the largest atoll of Tahiti and her Islands and one of the four largest in the world, with more than 240 motu separated by more than 100 "hoa", small channels that make up its ring of coral and in the center of the inside lagoon is the Paio motu. The incomparable brilliance and colors of the lagoon from jade-green to purple, completely overwhelm the visitor who discovers this long ribbon of islets way out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. On the northwest side of the atoll is Avatoru, the main village opposite the Para motu whose lagoon is said according to the legend to have been breached by the two twins "Moana-tea " ("Peaceful Ocean") and "Moana- uri" ("Wild Ocean"). The main government buildings are to be found here, including the Mayors Office, the Post Office, the Pearl Industry Research Center together with a mother of pearl and pearl culture Crafts Center, and two churches. The other village of Tiputa, situated at the eastern end of the motu, near to the second main reef entry point, has houses ringed with bleached coral and fenced with flowering hedges. A road surfaced with crushed coral or tar seal links the two villages and their neighborhoods.
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