Raiatea- VANILLA, RUM, PEARLS - 1 of 4

We learned a little Tahitian and now, we are READY.
Maeva-Welcome, La Ora Na (Hello or May you Live), Mauruuru (Thank You), Nana (Goodbye), E (ay, Yes), and Haere Mate Hau (Go with Peace).

Raiatea (meaning “far-away heaven”) is the 2nd largest of Society Islands after Tahiti. By the way, these are called the Leeward Islands, sailors know that means they are located downwind, in the "lee” of the prevailing northeasterly trade winds, meaning they are easier to reach, if sailing. It is in the center of all the Society Islands, which are known for a strong religion and culture that is more than 1,000 years old. The highest mountain that towers over the area is Mount Temehani. It is made up of two plateaus, the top of which reaches 3,336’ above sea level. Our excursion today was great, as we packed so much into one day. Docking in Uturoa (a commune at the North end of Raiatea). We got to explore beyond Raiatea with a visit to the Vanilla plantation, Rum factory, and Pearl farm on Tahaa island. We also snorkeled Motu Tautau and ate on Motu Pito Pito and then snorkeled there afterwards . Whew!

First, we went to the vanilla plantation which was very interesting as to their making of vanilla traditionally from the plants as well as their more modern way of growing them and harvesting in a greenhouse. Real vanilla is made through an incredibly labor-intensive process, making it the world's second-most expensive spice after saffron. Over 99% of vanilla flavoring is artificial. Here they make .075% of the Worlds Real Vanilla. Vanilla is a vine, who knew? In both cases their “hybrid variety” is something that they are very proud of as their vanilla is very high end (and expensive). They make their vanilla into many products to eat and smell. The wild vanilla vine grows around the tree trunk and takes 3 years to grow. The flower need to be hand pollinated blooming for only a single day, often for just a few hours. A worker must lift a membrane and transfer pollen by hand using a small bamboo splinter or needle. One flower produces one pod after 9 months (just like IVF for plants and human gestation). It then has to dry out 6-9 months and then they need to be blanched, sweated, dried and conditioned (left sealed in order to mature). Without describing in detail, you can imagine the amount of work and time this takes to be made into sellable vanilla (another 6 months). Of course, vanilla extract is entirely another process once this is completed.

We left there amazed and went for another boat ride to the RUM ISLAND. After that visit we went to a Rum factory that was very “official” with a detailed process for their rum making and packaging operation. The rum we tasted was very strong and not like any rum we have ever had in all our years of traveling to the Caribbean. There are 2 rum factories and sugar plantations. In an annual Paris competition, Tahiti has won 3 gold medals from one factory and 2 gold from another factory. Interesting morning there.

Next stop was a boat ride to an island that has a large pearl operation. The pearl factory raised, farmed, and selected for production into jewelry. We watched the process and were amazed by the details involved with making pearls. Tahitian pearl farming is a meticulous 18-month to 3-year process where oysters are grafted with a nucleus and mantle tissue to produce black pearls. Skilled people then turn these into pieces of artwork. Incredibly skilled people perform this delicate surgery, after which oysters are kept in suspended baskets within lagoons to grow, protected from predators.

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