I stayed at the Sunset Lagoon Motel (in French, a pension). It is an idyllic spot, with widely-spaced bungalows set in the green lawns of an active copra (coconut) plantation. Each unit has a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room, plus a large veranda. Most face right onto the lagoon. Almost the only sound, except for passing motorboats, is the rustle of the trade wind in the palm fronds overhead.

This panorama was taken one calm morning, just offshore from my bungalow (hidden in the trees). To the north is the neighboring island of Taha'a, which shares the lagoon with Raiatea. A little further west the sharp cone of Bora Bora can be seen on the horizon.