Kaviar Pearls www.kaviarpearls.com
French Polynesia is paradise, there is no denying that. For all you Canadians, it’s like closing your eyes and standing in front of a patio heat lamp in +5 while imagining every vibrant color that nature can produce. Especially pinks and purples. It’s a humid heat with sunshine and everything from the most pleasant of scents (think French pastry bakery and ground coffee, and every type of island flower possible) to the most horrid of smells (think dogs, cats, chickens and hot garbage). In humid heat everything is intensified – good or bad. I’m not entirely sure about the rest of the island, but in Papeete, the main port city that I stay in until I depart to the pearl farm, the environment is not as desirable as one would imagine a South Pacific destination island to be. I think Papeete is exclusive to cruise ships and those in transit. The rest of the island is spectacular, and if you have the time, well worth visiting and touring around. Moorea, an island that is a 45 minute ferry ride away is breathtaking. It reminds me of Jurassic Park. You can swim with sting rays, dolphins; hike… everything an active traveler desires. For those seeking a more relaxing spot, Bora Bora offers calm waters, peaceful bungalows stilted above the lagoon – it’s more or less a romantic getaway.
I know how ridiculous it sounds to some to say that I am going to Tahiti on business. It’s no Houston or Denver, Vancouver or Toronto. Let me assure you though, my experience is not provided by the Sofitel’s, Hilton’s or any other luxury properties that provide your entire experience within their grounds. No. I begin my stay at Ahitea Pension and lodge where an extra roll of toilet paper isn’t complimentary but a perk of being a retuning customer and I sleep next to a neon mosquito zapper that I’ve been told no other room is equipped with. These are standards that I will never share with a prospective husband.
After two days of adjusting to a 19 hour fall-back time difference from traveling, I will be off to what can only be described as the most undeniably beautiful and most spectacular place on the planet. Kamoka Pearls. It is located in Ahe, an hour and 45 minute flight north of Tahiti Nui, in the Tuomatu Atolls. This will be my second visit. I am incredibly anxious. Like every industry, you meet people who work out of convenience or just to make money. Kamoka is driven by passion, an active interest in aqua-culture, a love for the surrounding lagoon, location and of course, pearls. Josh, owner of Kamoka is one of the most interesting, diverse and passionate people I have ever met and so the opportunity to work with him and support his facet of the industry was unquestionable. The quality of pearls that Kamoka produces is above any other producer I have met in the South Pacific. The success of his harvests, the colour and the overall quality of pearls is impressive. More so, to me anyway, is the way that Josh farms his pearls. The bead nuclei that are used in the nucleation process are made from the mother of pearl from the Pinctada Margaritafera oyster (the Tahitian producing mollusc). His social and environmental impact is also taken into consideration. Josh runs a self sustaining and ecologically responsible pearl farm, and from my understanding, is one of the only ones. I am so pleased to be able to support Josh, and have the opportunity to visit and work on his farm.
Tomorrow morning at 6am I will venture off to the remote and paradise islands of Ahe. There will be no internet access so y’all can expect the next update and photos on March 28th. Thanks for following, and I can’t wait to share stories of one of my favourite places on earth.