By Dr. Sherrye Dee Garrett, Ed.D.

The very name evokes images of lush tropical forests, bright flowers, and crystal clear blue lagoons. Tahiti and her sister islands have always been associated with the proverbial "escape to Paradise." The reality is not too far removed from the imagery.

Much of the Tahiti we envision in our minds comes from the art of post- impressionist painter Paul Gauguin. It was appropriate, then, for Radisson Seven Seas to christen their Polynesian voyager after the man whose bold brush strokes and colors brought the beauty and spirit of the islands to the rest of the world.

The M/S Paul Gauguin sails a seven-day adventure from Tahiti to Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora, and Moorea. These islands are part of The Society Island group in French Polynesia. The Society Islands are located southeast of Hawaii and northeast of New Zealand, with Tahiti falling on the same longitude line as Anchorage, Alaska. Nonstop flights from Los Angeles take about 8 hours. French Polynesia consists of 35 islands and 83 atolls, including the Austral and Marquesas Islands.

Tahiti

The M/S Paul Gauguin sets sail from Papeete, Tahiti, the commercial center of French Polynesia. Be sure to allow some time to explore the island before you get on board.

The Paul Gauguin Museum is located on the site of the artist's studio at the ocean's edge. The Papeete Public Market offers everything from painted seashells, to ginger root to fresh parrot fish. Many shops sell the region's most famous jewel, the black pearl.

We stayed at the Beachcomber Park Royal, which is slated to become a property of Intercontinental Hotels. The rooms were enormous, with a huge bathroom that included a shower and separate tub with more than enough room for two. The beach was expansive and included two salt-water swimming pools. The island is a favorite destination for honeymooners.

We had a memorable dinner at the hotel's signature French restaurant, the Lotus. Perched over light blue waters, the open-air, thatched roof restaurant featured classic French cuisine with a definite Polynesian flare. Service was outstanding and the view of the Island of Moorea was magnificent.

A completely different, but typically Tahitian, eating experience can be found at dockside, where you board the Paul Gauguin. Each evening,Tahitians gather in Papeete, on the brightly lit waterfront to sample foods prepared in "roulettes." These individual food trucks serve foods for every palette — Chinese, French, Mexican and Italian. The sights, sounds and aromas of the waterfront give a special magic to the simple act of embarking.