Tahiti is the modern traveler's gateway to French Polynesia. The capital city, Papeete, is a major shipping crossroads which curves around what is still French Polynesia's busiest harbor. There wasn't even a village here until the 1820s, when Queen Pomare set up headquarters along the shore, and merchant ships and whalers began using the harbor in preference to the less protected Matavai Bay to the east.  
 
We spent a wonderful vacation to Tahiti from December 28 to January 9, 2001. We sailed to five major islands in Tahiti, including Tahiti (Papeete), Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora. Bora Bora truely is "the most beautiful island in the Pacific." We rented a small car to drive around the island. It took us about 45 minutes. There were so many wonderful scenes around the island. Enjoy the photos!!