When you think of Tahiti (French Polynesia), you think of overwater bungalows, right? But isn't staying alone a bit too lonely? You're thinking that right now, aren't you? I understand. I used to think so too. But you know, overwater bungalows are wonderful even for solo stays! Romance is more than welcome.

This time, I stayed on three islands: Taha'a, Moorea, and Tahiti, and experienced overwater bungalows on Taha'a and Moorea.

"Le Taha'a by Pearl Resorts" is a private island where an entire motu (islet) surrounding Taha'a has been transformed into a hotel. Of the 59 suites and villas, 48 are overwater bungalows. Incidentally, the villas were originally built for the owner's family, and they gradually developed into their current form. Artworks inspired by boats were scattered throughout the property.

The resort, a member of "Relais & Châteaux," a luxury hotel and restaurant group founded in France in 1954, attracts gourmets from all over the world. I had the 'cori,' the adductor muscle of the black pearl oyster, for the first time here ♡ It has a light texture that doesn't feel heavy, yet it's rich and satisfying! Vanilla, a specialty of Taha'a, was also used extensively in the dishes.

And as for the main (?), the overwater bungalow, the moment I entered the room, or rather, even before entering, my excitement reached its peak, as if I were skipping with joy. First, I noticed the glass floor section at the foot of the bed. Oh, how lovely (laughs). They really understand what guests want; I had to take a commemorative photo right away!

From the deck, you can directly access the French Polynesian sea. I struggled to resist the urge to jump into the ocean in my birthday suit (laughs). Also, although I didn't have the chance to use it this time, room service is available, where breakfast is delivered to your overwater bungalow by outrigger canoe.

Furthermore, when staying at this resort, it is recommended to participate in a tour visiting Raiatea and Taha'a. Accompanied by a tour guide, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Marae Taputapuatea, as well as a botanical garden where you can learn about Polynesian flora, vanilla farms and processing plants, black pearl farms, and rum distilleries.

After Taha'a, I headed to Moorea, which Gauguin described as "like an ancient castle." Access from Tahiti is convenient, with just a 10-minute flight or about a 30-minute ferry ride. The heart-shaped island, with its dramatic contrast of the black rocky mountains, deep green foliage, and the blue of the sea, is magnificent.

The accommodation on Moorea was "Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort." Of the 109 bungalows, including villas, 38 are overwater bungalows. The overwater bungalows feature traditional Polynesian architecture with pandanus leaf roofs, and also offer access to the lagoon from a private deck. While it's a perfect setting for spending time alone in your room, the beach and the public pool that blends into the beach are also appealing, making it hard to decide where to spend your time! Moorea is also a mecca for snorkeling. The scenery created by the coral reefs and the tropical fish of the South Pacific is sure to remain in your memory for a long time.

I highly recommend waking up early. The sunrise reflecting on the lagoon is truly mystical, giving you a strange feeling, as if you've forgotten where you are for a moment. It might be my imagination, but I felt like my body was being purified. At the main dining room, there is live music by a band and traditional Tahitian dance shows during dinner. Enjoy the tropical resort while being caressed by the pleasant Polynesian sea breeze.

And when you're on Moorea, be sure to visit "Te Fare Natura," Tahiti's first eco-museum, which opened in July 2021. You can learn about Polynesian history and culture, and the museum building itself is a highlight, blending traditional Polynesian architecture with modern design. The system that captures the wind blowing down from the mountains and maintains a temperature several degrees lower than the outside temperature without using air conditioning is also amazing! I never suspected it wasn't using air conditioning (laughs).

On Tahiti, I stayed at the "Hilton Hotel Tahiti." What's noteworthy here is its superb location, about a 10-minute drive from Faa'a International Airport in Tahiti and a 5-minute drive to the city center. You can relax until just before your flight.

As you relax by the pool or at the open-air bar, planes repeatedly take off and land. If you're an aviation enthusiast, you could probably eat three meals on this alone (laughs). It was also convenient and reassuring to have a shopping mall with a large supermarket (Carrefour) across the road.

"Hilton Hotel Tahiti" is one of the oldest resort hotels in French Polynesia and the largest in scale. Regarding the enormous pool, the public relations representative who assisted with the interview proudly stated, "There is no other pool this large in Tahiti." Indeed, it is perfect for swimming.

There are six dining facilities within the hotel, offering a wide range of culinary options. For a stay of a few days, you can manage within the hotel, but given the excellent location for everything, it's also a good idea to visit the roulottes (food stalls) where locals gather, shopping centers, or the markets selling specialties like black pearls.

Among them, my top recommendation is the restaurant "Yellowfin Tahiti" (https://www.facebook.com/yellowfin.tahiti). While not inexpensive, the dishes, a modern take on traditional Tahitian cuisine served in the superb harbor-side setting, were all incredibly impressive. I was particularly struck by the dishes using raw tuna, which is rarely found in Japan. I would have loved to visit every day during my stay and try every single dish.

In the third article, I will introduce "Heiva," Tahiti's largest festival, held every July. This press tour was timed to coincide with "Heiva," and it was more exciting than I had anticipated!

With the cooperation of Hawaiian Airlines and the Tahiti Tourism Board