A gap year in French Polynesia
Gap years in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is filled with glamorous people, honeymooners, and imported beer. Its tropical oceans, azure sky and white sands inspired the French painter Gauguin: could they inspire you, too? This archipelago is made up of 118 beautiful islands, including Tahiti and Bora Bora, which rate among some of the earth’s most picturesque places. No wonder the jet-setters love it here. Sadly, the tourist industry discovered the profit potential of the Polynesian islands long ago, so this isn’t a destination for the budget-conscious. But hop over at the end of a tiring world tour, and you can finish your GAP year in style.
GAP opportunities
Combine your trip with a voluntary post in Fiji, a spot of casual employment in New Zealand, or train as a skipper in the Pacific Ocean. French Polynesian gappers won’t find an abundance of opportunities on the islands, but instead should cast their net more widely in Oceania.
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Getting Around
Include French Polynesia in a RTW ticket for the best value. Once there, you can transfer between islands by catamaran, government-subsidised plane, cruise ship or boat. Boats operate regular routes between the island groups and you’ll find it’s easy to move around and onward from Tahiti.
In Tahiti and her islands there is a local bus service, known as le truck, which about sums it up. If budget allows, hire a motorbike or a 4x4 to see more of Tahiti’s volcanic interior.
About the islands
83% Polynesian and 55% Protestant, the people of French Polynesia are fighting for independence. Their tribal history – characterised by vibrant cuisine, family values, and joyful dance – was the source of widespread myth in the late eighteenth century, when European explorers brought back stories of tropical shores and sexual freedom. Unfortunately these myths brought pillagers, and then missionaries. When the French conquered the archipelago in 1842, the Protestants had already knocked down temples, carvings, and the free-living Polynesian spirit.
The French legacy included the creation of fusion cuisine (a unique combination of Polynesian cuisine with French classics like waffles and steak frites), the expansion of the Polynesian trade industry, and the widespread weapons testing that left a nuclear footprint. Polynesia’s latest president could be the one to declare independence for the archipelago, but Chirac’s government looks set to resist all the way.
Where to go
You’ll probably visit Bora Bora, encircled by coral and swamped with honeymooners, and tourist-friendly Tahiti. Bora Bora is considered to be the ultimate Polynesian isle, with gorgeous beaches and sweeping green vistas, although it’s a little commercialised these days. Tahiti is the archipelago’s cultural centre with museums, botanical gardens and viewing points – it’s a great introduction to the region, but also too industrialised to feel unspoilt. But look out, here and on other islands, for marae – ancient stone temples or worship constructions.
To discover real Polynesian life, consider a trip to Moorea – the pineapple island – or Huahine, a surfer’s paradise, rich in agricultural plantations for vanilla and watermelons. Raiatea is a popular island for yachters and ancient Tahaa is the place to discover more about Polynesian traditions.