More a sleepy hamlet than a city, Avatoru is a series of islets connected by concrete bridges. It and neighboring Tiputu are the only populated areas of the Rangiroa atoll, aside from the boat-accessible-only resort across the large lagoon.

Avatoru contains the airport, numerous...

More a sleepy hamlet than a city, Avatoru is a series of islets connected by concrete bridges. It and neighboring Tiputu are the only populated areas of the Rangiroa atoll, aside from the boat-accessible-only resort across the large lagoon.

Avatoru contains the airport, numerous small pensions (guesthouses), and a few resort hotels (only one major resort: Kia Ora), as well as a couple of dive shops and restaraunts.

Tahitian and French are the main languages spoken throughout Rangiroa, including Avatoru.

Avatoru is long and skinny, and has one paved road from end to end. It's fun to ride a bike and look at the lagoon on one side, the ocean on the other.

The Rangiroa airport is on Avatoru. It is one room (no walls) and its security system consists of a TAPU sign to keep you from walking on the runway. It's fun to hang out there midday when the place is completely empty. Very refreshing if you're from a Western country that's security-mad nowadays.

The graveyard is small, simple, and interesting if you like that sort of thing. Lots of coral and shells used. Lots of local history.

Money: Bring money with you, as there's no guarantee the ATM will be working. It never was operational the whole three weeks I was there in July 2004.

If you go during June-July-August, remember it's their winter and the sun goes down early. Avatoru has no 'nightlife' other than what the locals are doing in their homes, what's being offered at the one resort (Kia Ora), or what the pension owners may be providing -- no movie theater, no bars or dance clubs, etc. This is NOT like being in Papeete! Don't go to Avatoru expecting anything other than entertaining yourself and meeting some extremely nice people in a simple and beautiful place.

Toni Armstrong Jr., Chicago, IL - USA

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