The Monoi Road

The monoi is a natural oil obtained by soaking tiare Tahiti flowers in copra oil extracted from coconuts. This product is one of the root of the South Pacific islands culture. And it’s also a real pleasure for senses with the perfume and the sweet skin after a massage !
To promote and share about this gift of the nature, the “Monoi Road” took place on June 5th: a circle island tour by truck (local open air bus). 130 persons joined the first edition of this cultural event. You could meet Polynesian, European and Japanese people, all seated in one of the 4 trucks and seduced by the project.

The circle island tour started from Papeete local market in the town center and was highlighted by 22 stopovers. Each step explained the traditionnal and industrial way to make monoi, the botany and the daily use of this perfumed oil. Everybody learnt about tahitian beauty rituals (hair care, skin care, massages, perfumed body oil…) trought initiations. At noon, a traditionnal local meal (= ma’a tahiti) has been served to each participant in a friendly athmosphere.

All purposes of this Monoi Road have been completed: the monoi has been celebrated, the public audience could discover (once again) this ancestral product and the message ran around the island.