Polynesian Paradise from a Kite

Incredible beauty—paradise landscapes from an unusual vantage point. The result? One of the finest collections of photographs, a perfect fit for the Atlas of Wonders, as the views from above are stunning.





These photographs were taken with a remote-controlled camera attached to a kite. The photographer, Pierre Lesage, a lover of wind and kites, decided to capture the beauty of French Polynesia and Easter Island.



Polynesia – about a thousand islands in the vast Pacific Ocean.

Welcome to Fakarava, in the Tuamotu Archipelago.



Fakarava is one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia. It's a narrow strip of land, 59 km long and 20 km wide, encompassing a lagoon of 1,121 square kilometers.



450 km northeast of Tahiti lies the town of Rotoaia, home to just 855 people. The rest of the atoll is deserted, dominated by white sandy beaches and a crystal-clear lagoon.



If you dive near this atoll, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can encounter stingrays, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and turtles, not to mention beautiful, colorful corals.



This is one of two natural passages that connect the inner lagoon to the Pacific Ocean.



A kite can provide photographs taken at altitudes much lower than those from an airplane.



First, the kite is flown without a camera to stabilize it above the turbulence. Then, the camera is attached to the kite's string. Sudden changes in ocean weather can lead to unplanned underwater filming.



Tetiaroa is a luxurious atoll located 53 km north of Tahiti. It was once owned by the royal family, and access was permitted only to its members. They then gifted the atoll to Tahiti's only dentist. Marlon Brando later purchased the atoll from the dentist's descendants. Plans are underway to build the most luxurious eco-hotel on the planet here.



We have now arrived at a mysterious reef in Bora Bora, part of the Society Islands.



The South Sea Islands are a favorite haunt of artists. Paul Gauguin in the late 19th century and Matisse in the 1920s were inspired by the dizzying colors of the local lagoons and coral reefs.



Thirty years ago, a hotel built the first overwater bungalows here, standing on stilts.



A dream resort. Bora Bora is a very expensive pleasure. Everything here – from food to any kind of leisure activity – is described as "expensive" or "indescribably expensive."



Tahiti is the largest island of this overseas country. It lies right in the middle of a vast Polynesian triangle with sides shaped like Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island.



Moorea is the cheapest island in French Polynesia. It's similar to Tahiti, only smaller, cheaper, and less crowded with tourists.



This circle is a net used in traditional fishing on the island of Taha'a.



How does it work? Numerous boats in the lagoon drag a huge net that encircles the fish. Stones tied to ropes are thrown into the water. This creates a funnel effect, which draws the fish into a channel and straight into a trap on the beach.



This photo shows the string of a kite attached to a boat in the Leeward Islands.



And this is one of the most unique and unusual places in the world – Easter Island.



These photographs can help archaeologists see forms that can only be seen from certain heights. This image shows intact altars of inverted moai.



Dawn in Tongariki.