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Air Tahiti Magazine 58
les etendues de plages de sable blanc, bordees par les petites feuilles de pandanus, plante de predilection pour confectionner les tifafai, toujours fait de toile de coton, sont incontournables en sa version des faits plus loin sur la petite route, en direction de mahanatoa, sur la raivavae at a glance situated over 600km south of tahiti, the austral archipelago has every coveted trait of polynesian islands: lush vegetation, steep summits and ridges, agreeable shores and all of it ringed by vibrant lagoons and charming islets. within the five principal islands of the archipelago lies one of the hidden gems of the south pacific, raivavae. some even go as far to say that it s the most beautiful island in the pacific. with an area of only 22 km2, the island s center is dominated by the strong ridgeline of mount hiro which rises to 438 meters. from the top of the mountain are spectacular views onto the barrier coral reef and 28 motu (islets). the island contains four little villages with a combined population of around 1,200 people. on the west coast are the villages of anatonu, mahanatoa and rairua, the island s capital; on the east side of the island is vaiuru. raivavae means «open sky» and was named by king pomare iv. the name comes from the fact that when arriving to the island during bad weather, the sky appears to open up suddenly at raivavae. the king named the isle upon reaching it. the island s climate is similar to the rest of the australs: much cooler than the rest of french polynesia. the islanders here live to a rhythm of taro planting and fishing for fish as well as the abundant giant clams that live on the reef. to a lesser extent they live from arts and crafts. a place of peace and tranquility, raivavae offers a fantastic escape to visitors seeking a more authentic polynesia without missing one drop of magnificent scenery. 22
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