15 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Tahiti
Think you do know everything about Tahiti? From the stunning landscapes, friendly locals and postcard worthy views, here are 15 things about the islands you probably didn’t.
How to Choose Between Tahiti or Fiji
#1. Tahiti is made up of 118 islands and atolls spread out over five archipelagos. The whole archipelago spans 4.000.000 square km, which is the equivalent size of Europe.
#2. The Tahitian alphabet is made up of 13 letters; the vowels a, e, i, o, u and the consonants f, h, m, n, p, r, t and v. Noticed that there is no b? That’s why Bora Bora is actually pronounced “Pora Pora”. It means “first-born”, but early visitors heard it as Bora Bora.
#3. A typical Las Vegas hotel has more rooms than on all 118 islands of French Polynesia.
#4. The shopping and retail on the island is monopolized by the Chinese population. When you hear Tahitians talk about going shopping, they say they are going to “la Chine” or to the Chinese.
#5. In ancient Tahiti, archery was considered to be a sacred sport, and only people of high rank could participate. And while they were expert marksmen, bows and arrows were never used as weapons of war.
#6. There are no poisonous snakes or insects in French Polynesia.
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#7. Tahitians are considered to be the most genuinely friendly people in the world.
#8. The official languages of the islands are Tahitian and French, however, English is widely spoken on most of the islands.
#9. The word tattoo originated in French Polynesia. Tattoos have long been considered signs of beauty in Polynesian culture, and in ancient times were ceremoniously applied to the body when reaching adolescence. The English word ‘tattoo’ comes from the Tahitian word ‘tatau’.
#10. Hawaii receives more tourists in a day than Tahiti does in a year. Tahiti is therefore one of the most exclusive destinations in the world.
#11. “Tahiti” or “The Islands of Tahiti” is technically an ‘Overseas Country of France’, though it has it’s own government which makes all international decisions on behalf of French Polynesia.
#12. More than half of the population of Tahiti is under the age of 20 years old.
Contact a Travel Team Agent for more information or to plan your trip at 1-800-788-0829
#13. The overwater bungalow was invented in Tahiti in the 1960’s on the island of Moorea.
#14. If you were new to the island, you would think the boxes outside the homes of Tahitian residents were for mail. They are actually for French bread delivery. Residents get a fresh loaf dropped off twice a day.
#15. The Tiare flower is the national symbol of Tahiti. Both men and women wear these flower, either as a necklace, crown or behind the ear. You wear a Tiare flower on your left ear if you’re taken, on your right ear to indicate you’re available.
Ready to plan your dream vacation?
Contact a Travel Team Agent at 1-800-788-0829
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Ready to plan your dream vacation?
Contact a Travel Team Agent at 1-800-788-0829
Don’t forget to check out our website and Like us on Facebook for the latest travel deals, news & tips!
