Karina the photographer of this book travelled around French Polynesia and discovered it was more than just a few islands. She visited Moorea, Tahiti and Bora Bora and found the deep meaning to all the locals of these islands. Throughout this blog she dives into the explanation of how the land is cherished by the locals and their beliefs in gods, assisted by her photos she took to get your imagination running wild and feeling like you are there with her. She also includes tips and recommendations on what to do when you visit.
The gods, in their wisdom, chose this sacred land among many others as a bridge between the realms where the forces of Nature and Spirit would intertwine, each feeding and nurturing the other. It was here that the great demigod and trickster Maui, raised the island from the depths of the ocean and anchored it to the stars by threads of mana, the life force that pulses through all living things. The mountains are Maui’s footprints, the valleys’ his resting places, and the lagoons’ his sacred mirror reflecting the grandeur of the cosmos.
In this enchanted land the stories of gods and men are not separate; they flow together like rivers merging into the sea. Every tree, stone, and breath of wind carries within it the essence of a story, a fragment of the divine. The people of Moorea, descendants of the gods, understand this sacred connection. They walk the island with reverence, knowing that they are both custodians and children of this living paradise. They give to Nature with open hands—planting, nurturing, protecting—because they know that in doing so, they are feeding the spirit of the island, which in turn sustains them.
The dance between People and Nature is delicate, like the balance of a canoe gliding over the ocean waves. It is a harmony born of respect and understanding, of knowing that to take too much is to risk unraveling the very threads of life that bind us all.
The legends of French Polynesia teach us that we are all connected—gods, men, animals, and the land itself. To harm one is to harm all, to cherish one is to cherish all. And so, in this fragile balance, we find our place in the grand tapestry of existence.
Each act of kindness to the Earth is an act of kindness to ourselves, each prayer to the gods is a whisper to our own souls. The people of these islands know this truth as deeply as they know the tides and the stars.
They live by it, they breathe it, and through their reverence, they keep the magic of the island alive. For those who listen, who truly open their hearts to the whispers of the land, the beauty and mystery of the islands will reveal itself, not as a place, but as a living story—an eternal dance of creation and connection, where every being plays a part, and every part is sacred. From the land of Havai’i to the edge of the horizon, there lies the story of their people, and the melody of their souls.
Bora Bora had the whitest sand and the bluest ocean of all the islands we visited. I would definitely suggest renting a kayak while you’re here so you can explore the deserted islands and go snorkelling all around them. The view is stunning and happy hour drinks are only $10 at the InterContinental.
It was the smallest island, Bora Bora. Hiring bikes and touring the shoreline was a highlight of our visit. The best beach of the island was to the right of the InterContinental called Matira beach.
Bringing your own goggles or snorkelling equipment is one of the best pieces of advice I can give you because marine life in French Polynesia is so accessible and gorgeous everywhere you go.
There are numerous walks to be done on the island, which is particularly interesting because of how much history the island has. During these climbs, you will come across many military symbols and resources.
This place has some of the best raw fish meals if you enjoy raw fish.
You should take advantage of the chance to see Tahitian dancing. It gives you a deeper understanding of the Tahitian culture and beliefs.
A lot of hermit crabs are crawling over the beach, so be careful where you tread.
Manta rays and stingrays can also be seen all throughout the waters of Bora Bora so keep an eye out.
You have to go to the fruit stand at the side of the road. The man who runs it offered us samples of every fruit and, upon hearing that we like them, even chopped down coconuts from his neighbour’s coconut tree. You must sample all of the island’s fresh produce.
I have never gone to a more magical place than the island of Moorea. The locals think that many members of their family are reincarnated into these animals, so when we went swimming with them, they came right up to our guide and said, “We believe our family turns into these sharks and stingrays so we have to cherish the land and animals.” You can swim with friendly sharks and stingrays here. It was the most amazing experience.
The local guide Strieker was the best guide we could have asked for on the Akivai Lagoon Adventures boat tour. We enjoyed beverages and fresh coconut and pineapple the entire journey. He took it upon himself to drive me to all the top spots in Moorea in less than five hours since he knew I was a photographer and that I only had one day there because of the airport strike.
We went to view the mountains with their human and godlike features, travelled to Toatea Lookout (the picture on the cover), t Manutea Tahiti - Rotui Juice Factory & Distillery, where we sampled liquors made from fresh pineapple, passionfruit, coconut, lychee, and pineapples, and to Belvedere Lookout, where we saw the tops of all the lush, green mountains. We also went on an exploration of pineapple fields. We made a detour at Public Beach Ta’ahiamanu, the best place to see sunsets, on our way home.
You must visit Teahupo’o, home to the best and most well-known waves on the planet.
The majority of Tahiti’s beaches are something we were unaware of. The beaches are a remarkable sight, one you will seldom encounter, but the black sand is caused by the eroded volcano—it is lava.
Tahiti has a plethora of breathtaking hiking trails; we completed the Belvédère de Taravao. Definitely advise renting a car if you’re going to Tahiti.
