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The big-ticket item is always the pearl—black and a few other lustrous colors. There are several art galleries, and boutiques selling pareos, curios, gifts, and souvenirs. Many shops open early, close for an hour and a half for lunch and then open again around 1:30 pm and stay open until 7 pm. Many are closed on Sunday.
The gallery's French owners came to Bora Bora 38 years ago on their honeymoon, loved it, and returned a few years later to live there. The lovely thatched building displays both their works—she paints on canvas and he specializes in hand-painted pareos—and the work of local artists (painters and sculptors) who they nurture and promote. The gallery also sells etchings, tapas (Polynesian painted cloth), and books.
This French artist moved to Bora Bora in 1986, and from his hillside studio above Matira Beach, paints vivid Bora Bora scenes and depictions of tikis, using acrylic and enamel on canvas. He achieved international fame for his painting of a bottle of vodka floating in the Bora Bora lagoon to promote Absolut vodka.
Garrick Yrondi is a Frenchman who has lived on various islands of French Polynesia since he was two years old. He paints oils and watercolors and sculpts in a Mediterranean style villa studio 4 km (2 mi) south of Vaitape. His 2-meter rose marble statue of a woman, known as Vahine E ia is displayed on a tiny island in the lagoon just near Bora Bora airport. You can't miss it.
Deep Ocean Spa by Algotherm has the only Thalassotherapy spa in the South Pacific, which means it uses seawater pumped from 2,500 feet (762 meters) below the ocean's surface in therapies to replenish body minerals and restore equilibrium. Before your treatment, take a soak in a private Jacuzzi with views out to Mt. Otemanu. The spa also has a long list of exotic treatments.
From post cards and toothpaste to Vini cards for your mobile phone, you'll find most things you need at this popular supermarket. There are also upscale items as well, including foie gras and French champagne.
Manea Spa uses locally made products such as monoi oil and tamanu balm (from the sacred Te Ati tree) in all its treatments; the ingredients are used in Pearl Resort spas across French Polynesia. The all-Tahitian staff are trained in an endless range of massages, four-hand massage technique, and barefoot bodywork.
Miri Miri Spa is located on its own little island, which is connected to the main resort island by a walkway. It has a little waterfall and pool and the entire spa occupies 13,000 square feet (1,207 square meters). Seven suites provide the ultimate in pampering including the intriguing signature treatment, the Heremoana Facial. It begins with a pressure point massage using warmed black pearls followed by the application of a mother-of-pearl salve, which is part of the Robert Wan cosmetic range; it leaves the face refreshed and hydrated.
You'll hear the name Robert Wan all over French Polynesia, as he is the doyen of pearl production and design. There are four of his beautiful boutiques on Bora Bora: in Vaitape, the St Regis Resort, Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, and InterContinental Le Moana Resort. A free shuttle boat is available to pick up customers from other resorts and transport them to Vaitape.
Owned by the 30-year-old Bora Pearl Company, this is one of those one-stop-look-and-shop places that a tour operator might take you to. You can walk along pontoons to see oyster leases in the water and take a free guided tour of the pearl harvesting, jewelry making, and retail sections. It's educational...and tempting.
You'll find this supermarket near the Novotel and the Sofitel resorts at the southeast end of the island about 8 km (5 mi) from Vaitape. It carries all the essentials—from sunblock to toothpaste—and ingredients for self-catering meals.
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