FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Taipivai Bay - Nuku Hiva - Marquesas Islands ~

... Fantastic postcard of one of the remotest places on the planet🌎... yet once again another paradise island🌞... showing the beautiful landscapes of the Bay of Taipivai... the majestic Taipivai Valley is considered as one of the finest in French Polynesia... the coastline of this part of the island is breathtaking... Nuku Hiva known as the Mystical Island is home to many rare and magnificent attractions... a black sand beach, the third tallest waterfall in the world, countless underwater caverns that shelter an impressive variety of flora and fauna... it is also widely regarded as the most beautiful of the Marquesas... Dear Glenn, I feel privileged that thanks to yours many postcards I have been able to travel a bit with you and see all these amazing exotic places😊... Thanks so much!乂❤‿❤乂

The Marquesas archipelago is one of the five island groups in French Polynesia and includes 12 islands, only 6 of which are permanently inhabited. They are the most remote islands from any continent. 

Nuku Hiva, located on the northwestern edge, is the largest of the Marquesas Islands and is Marquesas' principal island. Its rugged wooded terrain rises to Mount Tekao (1,185 metres) and is drained by small streams. There is no coastal plain or fringing coral reef.

Stamps:

Necklaces and Headdresses

(Issued 16-07-1998)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Opunohu Bay - Moorea ~

... French Polynesian beauty nr 4💙... a wonderful tropical beach🌴🌞 view surrounded by breathtaking peaks and nature... this bay on the north side of the island is actually the place where Captain James Cook dropped anchor in 1777... he described it as one of the best natural harbors in the South Pacific... big cruise ships moor here, but because there is no port, passengers are taken ashore in tenders... Moorea is the number one getaway place for the locals... they like to go there for a weekend retreat to rest and relax... Thanks a lot Glenn!ヽ(•‿•)ノ  

Photo: Teva Sylvain
Moorea shaped in a triangle form is 17 km located from Tahiti hence its name "sister island". It has two main bays: the Opunohu Bay and the Cook Bay. The island is surrounded by a coral reef and has 12 passes and counts 8 mountains whose highest point is the Mount Tohiea with its 1207m. But the most famous is the Mount Rotui (899 meters) which separates the two bays.

Opunohu, at 3 kilometers long and 80 meters deep, is one of two large bays in the island. The English explorer James Cook arrived in the bay of Opunohu, which means belly of the stonefish in Tahitian. Since this bay was already named, he gave his name to the second bay: Cook's Bay.

Stamps:

Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon 

(Issued 23-01-2012)

Polynesian Folklore Tahitian Dolls Art Costume 

(Issued 27-06-1988)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Fakarava Island ~

... Happy smiling local women view... the islanders are extremely friendly and reputed for the warmth of their welcome and hospitality... Fakarava atoll is one of the most beautiful lagoon atolls in French Polynesia lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean... world-famous for diving and snorkelling... with soft, pink and white pristine beaches, dotted with coconut palms... you can visit a pearl farm and learn the secrets of their cultivation... Fakarava is Mother Nature’s ultimate sanctuary... 
🌴🌞🌴"A little Piece of Paradise at the End of the World."🌴🌞🌴

Thanks a million dear Glenn for once more so many wonderful postcards from places I only can dream of! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ) I'm also smiling from ear to ear!!😊

The Tuamotu Archipelago (meaning ‘remote islands’ in Polynesian language) are a French Polynesian chain of just under 80 islands and atolls in the southern Pacific Ocean. They constitute the largest chain of atolls in the world, extending over an area roughly the size of Western Europe. This archipelago's major islands are Anaa, Fakarava, Hao and Makemo.

Fakarava island is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia and is about 60 km long  and 21 km wide. The main village is called Rotoava.

Fakarava and its adjoining atolls are a true marine paradise and have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Tuamotu islands.

 Stamps:

Airplanes - The 60th Anniversary of D'Air Tahiti 

(Issued 11-01-2018)

The 20th Anniversary of the International Oceanic Documentary Film Festival 

(Issued 07-02-2023)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Water Gardens Vaipahi - Tahiti ~

... Glenn's next stop🛳️... one of French Polynesia’s top destinations ... also known as "the Queen of the Pacific"🌞... the largest in the chain of islands at the heart of the South Pacific... with a fantastic lush green tropical nature scenery of a tranquil and picturesque site... view of the centerpiece at the Water Gardens Vaipahi... the Vaipahu Falls, where according to legend, you will experience the "mighty breath of the spirit of the waters"... it is a historical religious site of purification and rebirth of the departed souls of the Teva clan... a sacred place on the island... markers throughout the garden tell the story... Thanks so much Glenn! (•‿•) 

Tahtiti is divided into two parts, Tahiti Nui (bigger, northwestern part) and Tahiti Iti (smaller, southeastern part), the island was formed from volcanic activity; it is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. Papeete is the capital city of French Polynesia and located on the island of Tahiti.

The Water gardens of Vaipahi are located on the south edge of Tahiti Nui on the mountain side with an area of 1ha.

Stamp:

Traditional Mourning Costume 

(Issued 15-12-2023)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Hura Dance - Raiatea Island~

...First of three amazing postcards coming from a tropical paradise🌞🌴🌺🏖️... so beautiful native girls dancing the Hura dance... known to be the most popular art form on several islands... this graceful form of dancing consists of smooth and elegant movements that are accompanied by a unique style of costume and colorful accessories, such as flowers, feathers, and headdresses... it is a unique cultural treasure of French Polynesia... it can can be seen at celebrations, such as weddings and birthdays, festivals, and other special events... once more a dream holiday destinations💙...with a wonderful selection of stamps👍 and postmarked on the island Raiatea... Thanks a lot Glenn! 乂❤‿❤乂

Raiatea is known as the sacred island and the craddle of Polynesian culture. It was the first island populated by Polynesians and the starting point of the great migrations to the islands of the Polynesian triangle. It is the most historic and cultural island to visit.

The name ‘Raiatea’ translates into Bright Sky.

There seems to be a dfference between "Hura" and "Hula" dance. Tahitian dance is meant to demonstrate the day to day life occupations of their people, while Hula dances are intended to tell the story of their civilization, passing it down from generation to generation.

Photo: © Teva Sylvain

 Stamps:

Tourist Spots in Tahiti 

(Issued 08-11-2023)

Endemic Insects of Tahiti 

(Issued 22-09-2023)

 

The 113th Anniversary of the Publication of "Le Mariage de Loti" by Pierre Loti

(Issued 19-05-1995)

Necklaces and Headdresses 

(Issued 16-07-1998) 

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Bora Bora ~

... A fantastic surprise postcard from a dear postcard friend💛... Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world and best known of the French Polynesia's Leeward Islands... a pristine island paradise... the jewel of the South Seas... snorkeling and scuba diving is a huge attraction on the island... with hundreds of underwater species that can be seen... colourful reef fish, starfish, sea turtles, manta rays and sharks... Thanks so much Andrene, I thought of you many times and was hoping to hear from you again... you've made my day🌼🌻🌼... Enjoy your cruising holiday! (✿◠‿◠)

ⒸDiane Commons
French Polynesia  is made up of 118 islands that are divided into five archipelagos. Bora Bora is situated in the volcanic Society Islands in the middle South Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and the USA. The island is an overseas territory of France.

The island was named Pora Pora, which means “first born” by the original Polynesian settlers that inhabited the islands. However, the first European settlers to visit the island misheard and believed the natives had said Bora Bora and that is the name its has today.

Stamp:

Famous People | Maps
(Issued 05-05-2010)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Tahiti - Le Diadème ~

...Breathtaking and overwhelming nature view coming from French Polynesia, Tahiti... this mythic mountain, Le Diadème (the tiara) crowns the island as the “Queen of the South Pacific.”... a paradise of rainforests, mountains and black-sand beaches....with wonderful stamp too...Thanks a lot Vanessa!! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Photo: © Romain Ferré
Located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the central Southern Pacific Ocean, Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia, and was formed from volcanic activity.

The island is divided into two sections, with the northwestern portion being Tahiti Nui ("big Tahiti") and the smaller, southeastern portion being Tahiti Iti ("small Tahiti").

 While coral reefs surround the coastal waters, much of the island's interior is mountainous - it's highest point is Mont Orohena at 2,241 m. Lush rainforests cover the landscape of Tahiti, and the Papenoo River flows through the north side of the island.



Stamp:

Street Art in French Polynesia
(Issued 27-05-2016)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Huahine ~

This is my second card from French Polynesia and I must say the first card is one of my all time favorites (a whale card) but this is almost as great and I think it looks amazing!:D:D According to the internet the island is the most picturesque and one of Polynesia's best-kept secrets....It just looks such a peaceful and relaxing place!
...“A Beautiful Slice of French Polynesian Heaven”... Thanks a million Rod!!

With lovely stamps and postmark. The ´MS Hanseatic´ was commissioned by Hapag-Lloyd in 1993, and is classed as a luxurious cruise ship and one of the finest expedition vessels.!!

Huahine itself is actually 2 islands known as Huahine-Nui and Huahine-Iti (Big Huahine and little Huahine). Interconnected by a bridge.
With steep mountains descending into protected bays of azure blue and emerald green colors, the island is also one of the more geographically diverse of the Society Group.
Also known as "The Garden Island" due to its abundance of lush green tropical foliage and wild jungle-like scenery, Huahine is one of the more interesting of the Society Islands to explore.

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~Moorea~

WOW!!!
1. A FANTASTIC card....
2. A new COUNTRY for my collection....
3. And a gorgeous new WHALE CARD for my collection....
At such card I can look alday long, I'm smiling from ear to ear!^-^

An adult humpback whale(14m) with calf(4m) on Moorea. Moorea is a high island in French Polynesia, 17km northwest of Tahiti and means "yellow lizard".