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Huahine is one of the most picturesque of the Society Islands. Its lush green mountain backdropping the beautiful blue waters makes for a wonderful day of touring and sightseeing.This page is your starting point for ideas... TST makes sightseeing and island exploring options easy! If you want MORE choices, simply check out our other "To SEE" pages: ARTISTS,CRAFTSMEN, & OTHER SPECIALISTS and ATTRACTIONS & UNIQUE ACTIVITIES.
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There's lots of interesting things to see on both the islands comprising Huahine. Easily seen in a day or two, this island has some great sightseeing options. As is the case in most of French Polynesia, the phrase "circle island tour" on Huahine is rather popular although sometimes loosely used and quite vague.
HUAHINE NUI PEARLS |
There are several vanilla farms on Huahine. Details and pictures coming soon...
Huahine is a plant and garden lover's paradise. In a sense, the entire island is like one giant garden in the sea, (hence the often used tourist label "Garden Island") with its abundance of lush greenery and tropical flowers, plants and beauty all around...
There's 2 botanical garden/ parks on Huahine where you can marvel at many botanical wonders and breathe in the fresh tropical fragrances. Both gardens possess a magnificent and varied diversity of tropical foliage unique to French Polynesia. When you explore these gardens, you will know what is meant by: "The Tahitians sure do love their flowers"!
ARIIURA GARDEN PARADISE |
EDEN PARC |
This is an interesting story on Huahine and something to see and ponder if you get a chance... 
In the early 90's, an american entrepreneur, architect, and sailor named Tom Kurth purchased (from Julio Iglesias) one of the most fantastic strips of beach real estate on the island of Huahine and commenced to creating one of the most interesting and impressive 5 star hotels the world has ever imagined. He built 26 of some of the most architecturally fascinating luxury bungalows ever seen in the hotel world- the works of which were documented in the finest Architectural magazines in the world (ex:Conde Nast's Architectural Digest, April, 1995), and of which designs still remain an interest today.
Integrating top notch design with the natural attributes of this magnificent little hidden valley and beachfront property, the bungalows were hidden and intermingled amid the lush tropical beauty. Word got around in the hotel industry fast and many movie stars, rich international businessman, and other assorted millionaires came here and happily spent over 600-700 night to experience it. (It should be stated here that these elaborately high prices are the current norm for all 5 star hotels in French Polynesia...)
Everything was fine and the hotel was gaining an impeccable reputation and putting Huahine on the elite tourist map until 1998, when a violent twister named "Alain" came along and spoiled all the fun. The twister devastated the entire property in a few minutes and sent the entire resort effort into thin air and what has now become one of Huahine's favorite (unfavorite?) story/ legends.
Today, with the proper directions and a mild hike, interested visitors can walk the old Hana Iti grounds and only imagine the previous glory... There really isn't much to see except a few old building skeletons, the old pool, some machinery and rusted pipes, and some flattened out areas where a few of the bungalows once stood, but strolling the beautiful and remote beachfront is somehow magical and eery at the same time... just imagining what once was so glorious and how an unforeseeable power/ tragedy can take it all away so fast.
Last note for those interested: The property was auctioned off after the twister to the highest bidder and is now owned by the French Polynesian government. What happens to it now is anybody's guess... (For all you millionaries out there reading this: try bidding on it and become an instant celebrity on Huahine...)
Getting there: It's a little hard to find the entrance to the old Hana Iti driveway but here's the scoop: First, get to the west side of the little island of Huahine Iti. (coming from Fare, you would go over the bridge separating the islands and take a right at the fork). Drive a few kilometers and then look for a small handpainted road sign on your right pointing to a budget pension called Pension Hine Iti (no relation) and take that road to the very top and as far as you can go. Look for the old road there. No cars travel there and it can be pretty muddy, so take note. Thats where the head of the old Hana Iti property was.
(We hope to have more exact details and directions soon, but in the meantime, try contacting Franck at the Pension Tupuna for some more answers.)
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 This villa is equipped for groups of up to 8 who want the best holiday and Polynesian lifestyle for their money. It’s a real family style house waiting for you on Huahine... Check out the details |
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