every tropical fish, every docile shark, every rainstorm, I told myself. Every moment, when you think of it, is once in a lifetime. Air Tahiti Nui flies direct to Papeete from Los Angeles and Seattle.

Surrounded by the South Pacific Ocean and blessed with ample sunshine and rain, Tahiti is an ideal spot to harvest seafood and grow fresh produce. Fish reigns supreme on menus in the restaurants ...

Located on Tahiti's southern shore ... try poisson cru – a traditional dish of fresh fish in coconut milk with rice – at Marché Papeete, the local market in the heart of town.