The delightful island of Huahine lies 175 KM (110 miles) northwest of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands and is visible from Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora. Comprised of Huahine Nui (big Huahine) and Huahine-Iti (little Huahine), the two islands are joined by a narrow isthmus and are enclosed within a protective necklace of coral. Huahine is covered with lush dense rainforests and huge trees growing on the slopes of a very varied and dramatic geography. Offshore motu islets lie inside the barrier reef, providing sheltered gardens for Huahine's watermelon and cantaloupe industry. A very scenic road, mostly non-paved, winds through green canopies and beautiful vistas for 32 km (20 miles) around the two islands, passing through small villages where a total of 4,480 inhabitants live in colorful, modest homes. The lagoon, bordered by white sand beaches, is rich with sea life, and Maeva Village is a wealth of archaeological sites that go back to a 1000 years. Then truckloads of copra, pigs, taro, bananas and melons are brought to the quay for market day. People from all over the island mingle with arriving passengers and a few curious tourists, all enjoying the bustling activity and wandering in and out of the various quaint shops along Fare's waterfront. Then the ships blast their farewell and head out the pass, the last "le truck" leaves town, headed for the villages once again. And life on this peaceful island resumes its normal pace. The (only) little town of Fare slumbers under the shade of almond and acacia trees, and awakens with expectations for the frequent arrivals of the inter-island ferries from Papeete.
The delightful island of Huahine lies 175 KM (110 miles) northwest of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands and is visible from Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora.
