Dream Island, French Polynesia
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Location When you arrive in Tahiti, the plane inevitably
flies over Moorea Island which is just 17 kilometres away.
Moorea, "Sister Island", is famous for its magnificent lagoons where
white sand beaches and turquoise waters contrast with the lush
vegetation covering its mountains.
You have two options to reach Moorea Island on departure of Papeete.
By air, from Tahiti Faaa Airport which is just 10 minutes away from Papeete
central city. AIR MOOREA provides out shuttles every hour to join Moorea Temae
Airport.
By sea, from "Quai des Ferries" in Papeete it's just a 30 minute ride.
Private companies carry out regular shuttles every hour to join Moorea Vaiare
Harbour.
In Moorea, it takes about 20 minutes by car to join Dream Island, located on
one of the two principal "motus" in Moorea's lagoons. All along the road, you
will be delighted by fabulous sceneries like the famous Cook's Bay, Opunohu's
Bay and the impresive green covered crests which attest to the volcanic past of
the Island.
You will also discover the numerous and picturesque churches dedicated to the
different religious assemblies represented in French Polynesia. Moorea's
inhabitants are as all the other Polynesians, very strong believers.
This coast road joins the village of Haapiti, a principal area for major
hotels, commercial shopping and services of the Island.
The lagoon's crossing from Haapiti to Dream Island " motu " is about 3
minutes - a fabulous occasion to sail on the incredible turquoise waters, of
rare purity, which have nothing to envy about those usually seen on traditional
post cards.
Accommodations
After a few minutes of crossing, Dream Island's boat comes along side
to a magnificent private beach made of white sand, shellfishes and corals, where
several metres higher, overhanging the lagoon's peaceful waters, two
traditionally built 'fare' open themselves on large shady desks. The third
'fare', distanced from the beach, takes shelter under local species, surrounded
by a soft green lawn, among plants and flowers with rare and delicate
fragrances.
The island's building materials are traditional, giving the property a
typically Polynesian character - all part of the charm.
The roofs, made with pandanus (local braided plant), guarantee a constant
ventilation and natural cooling of the different rooms, all conceived to remain
in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature.
Each fare benefits from technical layouts of quality and the furniture is
delicately arranged to keep its natural atmosphere of quiet exoticism.
Everything has been calculated for the well-being of Dream Island's guests,
including the choice of refined crockery.
This is a unique place, so distant from traditional hostelry, where you will
have the possibility to lose your habits, taste to the bewitching charm of
tropical latitudes and finally accomplish your more far-off dreams.
Nature
The motus are small islands of sand strewing the lagoons which
generally surround Polynesian islands, of volcanic origin. In Moorea, the
lagoons are more remarkable for their colour, deep turquoise blue, than by the
gorgeous transparency of their waters
The coral which develops in these waters serves as habitat to a large number
of fishes species like ume, the tore and also the paihere.
On Dream Island's motu, a large diversity of trees, plants and tropical
blooms constitute a real nature reserve which shelters important wildlife.
A lot of birds like the vini, the sterne and the otahaa (big mythical bird)
nest on the motu, guaranteeing these species freedom and protection.
Among the more common species of trees, we find the coconut, the most
important tree for the Polynesians who use its fruits as a base for food. Its
oil also elaborates natural cosmetics products. The trunk and the palms are used
in manufacturing a lot of items for construction like the niau (braided mat made
for covering houses). We also distinguish the toa or iron wood which generally
constitutes the frameworks of the fare. The aïto or local pinel which serves to
manufacture numerous ordinary items as the umete (a large oval dish for fruits
or foods dressing) and many other items useful for cooking.
Traditional local plants like the pandanus are usually used for the
manufacture of roofs for houses and also as the peue (large braided mat which
generally covers the fare's floor), and a lot of different items to embellish
house decorations.
Then come the fruits trees like the mango, the lemon tree, the papaya, the
banana or also the famous uru or tree of bread, which takes its reputation from
the extraordinary adventure of the Bountys mutineers. Among the flowers,
celebrities include the hibiscus,frangipanis, jasmin, gardenia, and the tiare
Tahiti which breathes out a subtle and rare fragrance. It is also used to make
necklaces of flowers which are renowned to be the base of Polynesian welcome.
Leisure
In addition to the usual activities generally offered by traditional
hostelry in the islands, such as yachting, scuba diving, water skiing,
sportfishing or other beach activities, Dream island also offers leaving the
beaten track by discovering the manufacturing technique of the famous "pareo"
worn, with so much grace, by the vahine of French Polynesia.
With its refined and glittering colours, its harmonious and artistic
graphics, the "pareo" is a complete part of the Polynesians lifestyle.
Both men and women wear this well known piece as often as they can because
the tropical climate in the islands can oscillate all year long between 25 and
30 degrees Celsius.
And then, to become more immersed with local atmosphere, it takes about 5
minutes by boat to join the Tiki Village Theater in Moorea, a high place of
Polynesian culture to live and experience the most important periods of
Polynesian History.
The visitor discovers a reenactment of Polynesian living from its origins,
the secrets and magic of tattoo and sacred rituals performed by a troupe of 60
dancers and actors.
At last, why not simply take time to admire the most beautiful sunsets of
South Pacific directly from the terrace of your house and relish the famous "
maitai", a local rum based cocktail with pineapple juice and coconut liquor,
served on the rocks.
Surfing
Surfing is a source of rare pleasure, a way of invigorating - an
exceptional physical adventure - even a fountain of youth.
This passion for waves and sport make the waveboard a totem. Surfing becomes
a warrior culture and the surfers become members of the tribe putting up their "maestria"
of the mythical arm.
The surfers do not resemble anyone. Colossus or teenagers, they are sculpted
by the same activity: their arms and shoulders become tools to row, their backs
are built by dint to throw back.
Even the most imposing of them acquires this lightness of swimmer, an agility
developed by dancing on the waves. The surfers love to watch water, the waves
and the sky.
And finally when a surfer leaves with a wave, you observe him sculpted in
this little water wall in an huge expanse - the World seems, during a period of
time, big enough for all of us.
Price: From $2070 USD per week
Size: 4 Acres
Location: 3 minutes from Moorea Island, French Polynesia
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