The Islands Of Tahiti Hosts CBS' THE AMAZING RACE

The dream destination of Tahiti played host to the first two episodes of the 22 nd season of CBS' The Amazing Race. The first episode aired last night, February 17, 2013, and both episodes were filmed on the island of Bora Bora, a "bucket list" South Seas destination with what author James Michener called "the most beautiful lagoon in the world." Tahiti Tourism, Air Tahiti Nui and Hilton French Polynesia were especially eager to participate in the project since this multi-Emmy winning show is known for creating contestant challenges that celebrate the culture and Unique Features of each country they visit.

The Amazing Race challenged the contestants to experience some of Tahiti's top adventures including skydiving from above Bora Bora's signature blue lagoon and its majestic Mt. Otemanu, sand Castle building on a powdery white sand beach and assembling an outrigger canoe to race across the lagoon.

In Sunday night's premier episode, The Amazing Race's 11 teams raced to Los Angeles International Airport to catch Air Tahiti Nui'sAirbus A340-300 for the eight-hour nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti. Flight attendants greeted each passenger with a Tiare Tahiti gardenia, the first of many amenities that create Air Tahiti Nui's ambiance of gracious Tahitian hospitality.

Bora Bora is only a 45 minute flight from the main island of Tahiti and arriving by air to Bora Bora is a unique experience, with the tropical airport located on its own motu (islet) and all hotel transfers done by boat or private yacht. Visitors travel across the famous lagoon surrounded by an 18-mile ring of little motus near the reef breaks, with the jagged, lush Mt. Otemanu rising up from the main island of Bora Bora in the center of it all.

The Amazing Race crew stayed at Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, a luxurious all-suite resort with 120 thatched-roofed bungalows situated on the hillside, along the beach and over the water.

Not only is The Nui on a rare motu with a hill, but the resort's location is also a memorable site in Tahitian lore. The mischievous Polynesian god Hiro is said to have thrown his spear from the top of the motu's black lava hill, giving Mt. Otemanu its jagged profile. And, The Nui's black lava hill rises above a sacred cove where ancient islanders gathered for stone fishing festivals. This island lore is celebrated in the original artwork displayed throughout the resort.

Tahiti is located halfway between California and Australia, on the same side of the International Date Line as North America and in the same time zone as Hawaii. To learn more about the Islands of Tahiti, visit www.tahititourisme.com

Catch another glorious glimpse of Bora Bora in the second episode of CBS' The Amazing Race on Sunday, February 24, 2013.

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SOURCE Air Tahiti Nui