Huahine, another picturesque island in French Polynesia, consists of two landmasses: Huahine Nui, the larger piece, and Huahine Iti, the smaller piece, joined by a bridge. Huahine is often referred to as the “Garden of Eden” because of its natural beauty. Huahine is a haven for cultural enthusiasts, a place where a rich Polynesian culture thrives. It has excellent opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and fishing in its clear waters. Huahine also offers a serene escape and a chance to savor local cuisine in a relaxed, authentic Polynesian atmosphere. About 6,300 people live here, and the island – both parts included – is pretty small at only 28.5 square miles.
Arriving in Huahine was an adventure in itself. We stayed at an Airbnb, and our host only spoke French, which we didn’t understand. Figuring out the details of the stay was a bit tricky, but we managed, thanks to a good friend of mine who I frequently used for translation. However, at the tiny Huahine airport, we had a mix-up with another traveler named Nicole, which turned into a funny situation. I had been told that someone named Jacques would meet us at the airport with a car for us to use. We waited and waited for Jacques, and finally a car pulled up to us. “Nicole?” the driver said. The driver was a female, but she knew my name. I had to double-check, so I showed her the email exchanges I had had with my host. She looked at it and said, “Yes.” So, we got in her car. This woman was a sweetheart who was admittedly having a rough day. She said the place wasn’t ready yet, but she was having her cousins clean it so we could check in early. She told us she put “all of her best energy” into the place for us. The plan was to take us to the grocery store and then to our Airbnb as soon as it was ready. After we got our groceries and got back in the car, our host got a phone called. She stepped out to take it, then leaned back in and said, “Nicole…did we forget someone?” She had picked up the wrong group, and the other Nicole and her travel companions were still patiently waiting at the airport for their ride! Eventually, we got it all sorted out, and everyone had a good laugh.
Jacques did end up meeting us at the airport, but we never figured out where he was the first time around. Rosie and I loaded in the car he loaned us and followed him to our Airbnb. It was simple with no frills – very much an island home. Even though it had a padlock on the door, something we were not used to, it became our Huahine home away from home. We dropped off our things and set out to explore the island. We enjoyed some magnificent views on our drive and had a great meal at Hotel Le Mahana where we ran into Nicole and her group on one of three other occasions outside of the airport mix-up! Despite the language barrier, we shared some moments with Nicole’s group and tried to order drinks for their table, but that didn’t seem to work well as we were never billed for three extra drinks.
Le Mahana was a nice hotel. It offers a very serene Polynesian retreat for those who are willing to spend a little more money. It has charming bungalows, some positioned over the crystal-clear lagoon, with warm hospitality and an authentic Polynesian atmosphere. We spent some time on the dock off the beach looking at the beautiful coral reefs below the water’s surface and watching the brightly colored fish swimming around. At the restaurant, our table was on sand, giving our dinner even more of a beachy vibe, and the food was spectacular! After dinner, we had a dark drive back around the other side of the island.
The next morning started with delicious mimosas, homemade from pineapple champagne and fresh squeezed oranges…yum! After relaxing with adult beverages, we put together a simple lunch platter of cheese, bread, apples and hard-boiled eggs and went explorin
g again, finding beautiful spots and witnessing a stunning sunset at Fare Harbor, a place of cultural significance on the island.
On our last morning there, our Airbnb hosts surprised us with homemade crepes and honey. After a tasty breakfast, we set out to finish our exploration of this beautiful island, visiting Marae Manunu Beach, Fare Potee Maeva, and a fishpond, along with a few other places that showcased Huahine’s rich culture and history. Fare Potee Maeva, a traditional meeting house, was particularly interesting with its intricate carvings and cultural significance. It’s a place where stories are passed down through generations, and where traditional dances and songs are practiced and performed. Here we learned of the legacy of Bobby Holcomb, Jr., a world renowned musician and artist who had left Honolulu and made Tahiti his home. Bobby passed away at a young age, but was an cultural icon of Tahiti, and his memory lives on in Fare Potee Maeva. After our final island tour, we headed back to the airport, excited for our final stop of this vacation: Bora Bora.
