Sea in more shades of blue than you can imagine, dark volcanic peaks, deep green rainforest, miles of white sand beaches and beautiful Polynesian dancers are the images on postcards from French Polynesia. The actual views are even better and will linger in your memory long after you return home.
While the views surround you, insight into local culture can be elusive, especially on cruises that visit a port a day – and sometimes a different island or country each day.
On our World Cruise, we were so fortunate to have two lovely Cultural Ambassadors on board from Lima to Papeete providing cultural insights and even Polynesian dance lessons. Like anywhere in the world, learning a few words of the local language and showing up with an attitude of curiosity and gratitude goes a long way with the locals. We were told to expect warm smiles when greeting people on shore with la orana (good morning). “Maruru” means thank you, the most important word in any language.
Through rhythmic movements of hips, arms and hands accompanied by chants and drums and the sometimes the ukulele, we learned about local traditions and history. The dances tell stories. In daily sessions, we picked up a few dance steps, discovered the many ways to tie a pareo, made shell necklaces, and learned a few words of Tahitian. We opted out of the hugely popular ukulele lessons but enjoyed the happy music and laughter from guests as they strummed along.
Tips for making memories in French Polynesia:
· Try coconuts on every island you visit; they all taste a little different.
· The beautiful and fragrant flower Tiare Tahiti is used to make leis and perfumes; if offered a single flower, place it behind your left ear if you are “taken” (married) or your right ear if you are single.
· Visit a pearl farm in the Tuamotus to learn how cultured saltwater pearls are produced. Shop for Tahitian pearls and jewelry at the source!
· On the island of Taha’a, visit a vanilla plantation and sample vanilla sugar, powder, or rum.
· Buy organic monoi oil, which makes an effective skin softener, massage oil, or hair conditioner.
· Stay at least one night in a romantic overwater bungalow; they were invented in Tahiti!
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