Kia Ora in French Tahiti, the hotel and Kia Ora Sauvage… Tell me about it Mr. Crusoe ...  Rangiroa has been described as a ship anchored in the ocean. Unlike other moun­tainous Polynesian islands, it is an atoll, the eroded rim of an ancient volcano. With a circumference of 230 km, it is the largest atoll in the South Pacific with a lagoon that could contain the island of Tahiti and its peninsula! Some 240 motus (islets) separated by more than 100 very shallow hoa (channels) form its coral ring. Imagine a crystal lagoon 42 miles long in the aquamarine South Pacific. Imagine pristine white beaches as long as the island itself Imagine a sea of islands that invite your exploration. This is Rangiroa. In the native tongue it means "Boundless Sky".

Location: On the atoll of Rangiroa, just an hour by plane from Papeete, the capital of Tahiti.

Accommodation: 25 Polynesian-style fares (thatched bunga­lows) for singles or couples with showers, bath, sitting area and balcony. Choose from the Garden Bungalow, Garden Suite Bungalow, Beach Bungalow, Beach Prestige Bungalow, Overwater Bungalow.

Garden Bungalows include refrigerator, bathroom with shower, and terrace. Garden Suite Bungalows have a separate bedroom, bathroom with shower, lounge, refrigerator and terrace. Beach Bungalows have a lounge, mini bar, bathroom with shower, refrigerator and terrace. Beach Prestige has one bedroom on the mezzanine and a jacuzzi. Overwater Bungalows includes a lounge, separate bedroom, bathroom with shower, minibar plus private terrace and solarium.

Activities & daytrips: Full-day excursions to the reef and neigh­bouring islets, diverse diving programs for beginners and advanced in the lagoon and in the ocean, outrigger canoes, snorkelling and skin diving, deep sea fishing, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, glass-bottom boat excursion, boat rental with pilot, bicycles, table tennis, volleyball, petanque.

Dining: Choose from 3 meal plans: American Break­fast, Breakfast and Lunch, or Full Board. Table d'hote restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, features French and local cuisines Seafood specialities and lagoon fish

Like Crusoe on Kia Ora Sauvage: A one-hour cruise from the Hotel Kia Ora down to the south coast of Rangiroa, takes you to the Avearahi motu (islet) and Kia Ora Sauvage. As soon as you land, the legend of Robinson Crusoe comes true in a setting of 5 traditional bungalows nestled amid the coconut and palm trees. These bungalows have been built in the purest Polynesian tradition while offering high-standard amenities. Local materials such as ironwood, woven palms, bamboo, coconut, and local handicraft objects have been tastefully integrated in the design. You will marvel at the bathroom with its shellfish curtain, coral tiles, stone washbasin, all surrounded by tropical plants.

Best time to travel: The month-long Heiva i Tahiti festivities in July are to Tahiti what Carnival is to Brazil, and people come in droves to be part of them. The festival occurs in the drier and cooler June-through-October period which is, perhaps, the best time to visit. Visitors during this period should, however, take into account the maraamu trade winds which can bring unstable weather from the south between June and August. The weather gets warmer and more humid between No­vember and the end of May.

Getting there: An international flight to Tahiti and then a one-hour flight to Rangiroa.