Tahitian Monoi, meaning "sacred oil," is a result of enfluerage, the art of extracting active or aromatic ingredients by gently steeping fresh Tiare flowers in refined coconut oil. Tiare flowers, the country's national flower and recognizable symbol, and the coconut used in this process are exclusive to the islands of Tahiti. This 2,000 year old technique has been perfected and used through the ages for cosmetic and pharmacological purposes.

The Monoi Institute, an entity created to establish standards and specifications for Monoi made with Tahiti’s tiare flower, enforces rigorous standards that must be incorporated. This strict quality control is necessary to produce this unique oil which offers a range of holistic skin and hair benefits.

“Tahitian Monoi created in French Polynesia is also called ‘scented oil’ because we use the coconut oil with different types of flowers and trees,” says Eric Vaxelaire, director / vice president to the Institut de Monoi. The Tiare flower, from the gardenia tahitensis family, is in bloom all year round. Its even, snow-white petals contrast with the dark green of the glossy smooth edged leaves. The Tiare’s unique sweet perfume is reminiscent of gardenia and tuberose flowers, with some characteristics of apple tree flowers. This national symbol is also believed to have elements that relieve headaches and earaches, heal wounds, and even cure certain types of eczema.

The other crucial ingredient of the Tahitian Monoi is coconut oil. However, the coconut oil used in the creation process is from a type of coconut that grows exclusively on the coral soil in Tahiti. It is a naturally dried coconut of the Cocos Nuficeras variety that provides the raw oil which would then be refined. The refining process, without adding chemicals, enhances it into a light, high quality oil with a distinctive silky feel.

"In Tahitian culture, Monoi oil is considered to be more than a product. It is something that becomes integrated into your mind and your way of life," said Vaxelaire. "To Polynesians, Monoi is not a product that is in competition with aloe vera or other lotions. Because of Tahiti's remote location in the South Pacific, and our use of only natural products from our country, monoi has its own qualities and characteristics that set it apart from other lotions and oils."

For more information on the Monoi Institute, please visit: Monoï de Tahiti

Theories documenting the development of French Polynesia are numerous, and often debated. However, some theories are more credible, based on existing evidence and research. This account is one of those considered more credible.

Around 4000 B.C., a great migration began from Southeast Asia across open ocean to settle the Pacific Islands. Many researchers conclude that Tonga and Samoa were settled around 1300 B.C. and from here, colonization voyages were launched to the Marquesas islands in about 200 B.C. over the next centuries, great migrations to colonize all the Tahitian Islands and virtually the entire South Pacific took place. This area is now called the "Polynesian Triangle" and includes Hawaii to the north, Easter Island to the southeast, and New Zealand to the southwest. As a result of these migrations, native Hawaiians and the Maoris of New Zealand all originate from common ancestors and speak a similar language collectively known as Maohi.

The era of European exploration began in the 1500s when ships without outriggers began to arrive. In 1521, Magellan spotted the atoll of Pukapuka in what is now the Tuamotu Atolls and, in 1595, the Spanish explorer Mendana visited the island of Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas Archipelago. More than 170 years later, Captain Samuel Wallis aboard the HMS Dolphin was the first to visit the island of Tahiti during his journey to discover terra austrilis incognita, a mythical land mass below the equator thought to balance the Northern Hemisphere. Wallis named Tahiti "King George III Island" and claimed it for England. Soon after, and unaware of Wallis' arrival, French navigator Louis-Antoine de Bougainville landed on the opposite side of Tahiti and claimed it for the King of France. European fascination with the islands grew as news spread of both the mutiny of Captain William Bligh's crew aboard the HMS Bounty and tales of the beauty and nature of the Tahitian people. Knowledge of Tahiti in the South Pacific continue to grow as Captain James Cook brought back illustrations of Tahitian flora and fauna in the first map of the islands of the Pacific. In the 1800s, the arrival of whalers, British missionaries, and French military expeditions forever changed the way of life on Tahiti and created a French-British rivalry for control of the islands.

The Pomare Dynasty ruled Tahiti until 1847 when Queen Pomare accepted French protection of the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. Following the Queen's death, King Pomare V was persuaded to cede Tahiti and most of its dependencies to France. By 1957, all the islands of Tahiti were reconstituted as the overseas French territory called French Polynesia. French Polynesia is now a French Overseas Country with self-governing powers and a mission to provide for her people through commerce and investment.

Imagine running along a breathtaking coastal road that parts the lush green mountains from the sky blue lagoon and deep blue ocean. Those who have competed in the marathon along the coast of Moorea from Temae beach and across the bays of Cook and Opunohu can guarantee that imagination cannot compete with reality.

Annually, since 1988, athletes from Tahiti and around the world are offered the chance to participate in this unmatchable experience: The Tahiti-Moorea International Marathon.

The distant ancestor of this widely participated event, created in 1971, took place on the island of Tahiti. This marathon, the first official marathon of the country, was organized as a result of the 4th “South Pacific Games.” Although the marathon was originally only for those from the region, the organizers finally opened it up to international contestants after ten years.

The marathon was transformed into the celebrated event we know of today. This marathon comprises of four types of races: the 42km, 21km, 5km, and the Family Run. All four runs start at Temae Beach and trace the beautiful bays of Cook and Opunohu. The Moorea Youth and Sports Agency, the primary organizer of this event, expects at least 2,000 athletes this year, including 200 foreigners. The agency is actively striving to increase this international number. To push the marathon to an even higher international level, Te Moorea Club, a supporting association of the marathon, recently initiated a heavy promotional campaign in cities such as Paris, Monaco, London, and Las Vegas.

However, those who are not as into running mustn’t worry. The Tahiti-Moorea International Marathon is more than what the name suggests; it also consists of concerts, fireworks and many fun-filled local Tahitian activities. Besides widening the international awareness of Tahiti as a sporting destination, the marathon also showcases the island of Moorea and the culture within the islands of Tahiti.

For more information, please visit: www.MooreaEvents.org

Thalassotherapy, from a combination of the Greek words thalassos, or "sea," and therapeia, or “therapy,” relates to the medical use of seawater and marine elements in physical treatment processes. The properties of seawater are believed to have beneficial effects upon the pores of the skin as well as preventative and curative properties for the body.

Developed in seaside towns in France during the 19th century, Thalassotherapy incorporates deep seawater which naturally contains trace elements of magnesium, potassium, calcium sulphates and sodium. Slowly enriched by submarine life, the mineral composition of deep water is close to that of blood plasma.

In Thalassotherapy spa treatments, the water is carefully heated to a temperature approaching that of the body. The high bio-similarity with that of the human body allows the active marine ingredients contained in the deep seawater to be effectively absorbed for perfect mineralization.

The therapy can be applied in various forms, such as showers of warmed seawater, applications of marine mud or of algae paste, or the inhalation of sea fog. Thalassotherapy is believed to lessen the effects of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, asthma, bronchitis, muscle atrophy, scabies, and arthritis.

Algotherm, a French-based pioneer of marine cosmetics and Thalassotherapy treatments, has established the first Thalassotherapy spa in Tahiti. Located at the InterContinental hotel in Bora Bora, the company’s Deep Ocean Spa opened in the summer of 2006, and incorporates pure seawater drawn from the depths of the Pacific Ocean at more than 3,000 feet.