Tahiti, Bora-Bora, Moorea—just saying these names evokes the exotic, unspoiled islands that first entranced Gauguin and, later, in their 1970’s heyday, the likes of Marlon Brando and the Hollywood set. A region, not a country, the Polynesian archipelago is located in the South Pacific, about halfway between South America and Australia and includes the triangular area roughly with corners at Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island. The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century; French Polynesia is now made of over 100 islands and atolls; each of indescribably beauty. These islands are not the Seychelles or the Galapagos. There are few birds and no giant tortoises. The joy is in the people and the rediscovery of their ancient culture. Choose a romantic island stay or a voyage by freighter through the Marquesas; remember – this is the place where many ended their search for paradise.