About Us
Tracey Thomas
About me
I started travelling at 18 when I took “a year off” between studies to see the world. That year slipped into the following year and then I’d got the bug! The bug turned into a career in the travel industry. I initially worked for a British airline which led to a career in the UK Hospitality and Tourist Industry, taking me to Spain and finally bring me here to French Polynesia. Once settled on Tahiti, I specialised in creating adapted private tour programs for individual and small groups around the islands. My local knowledge a useful element in rarely explored part of the Pacific British born with dual British/French nationality I am trilingual (English, French and Spanish) Married to a Polynesian from the Austral Islands for many years, I am now firmly rooted on the islands. It is on Tahiti where our three (now adult) children grew up and live. Tahiti has become my island home
How did end up in Tahiti?
At 12 I was given a copy of THE MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY, the first book I read from cover to cover and the beginning of my love affair with Polynesia and the Pacific. At 30 while working in a bar in Barcelona I met a Polynesian serving in the French PARACHUTIST regiment. We had 3 children. Over 20 years ago we moved to Tahiti so the children could embrace their Polynesian roots and multicultural identity
How the Unique Tahiti came about
While working in Tahiti's travel tour industry I quickly became aware of how valuable my insight and local expertise were to visitors. My local connections and close relationship with the population gave me privileged access to many aspects of daily life, the mindset, the values and vision of Polynesians from all social backgrounds. As an independent tour leader, guide and program creator, finding quality, up market tour service's which catered to my individual and small groups was a challenge! The service I was looking for didn’t exist. So, I decided to provide the service myself when in 2015 UNIQUE TAHITI opened for business.
Mission
Nearly 20 years ago, when I first arrived, Tahiti was an island that everyone had heard of but no one spent time on. The island largely ignored. Tahiti is the gateway to Bora Bora, to the Pacific tropical islands and overwater bungalows that are part of every visitor’s honeymoon or bucket list dream destination. As I worked with visitors it was clear that the majority of them seem to know not much else about French Polynesia apart from the famous luxury over water bungalows, grass skirts, palm trees!
Unique Tahiti’s mission is to demonstrate that Tahiti is so much more than luxury over the water lagoon bungalows! Our mission is to introduce the wonders of Tahiti to whoever has time to discover and explore it. We hope to set the scene and teach visitors about where they are in the world, how the tropical islands got here, and who the Polynesian, South Pacific people are. The diversity and wonders of Tahiti were so long unexplored and totally under the radar. Introducing Tahiti and bringing attention to this amazing island and part of the world is our mission.
Ambassadors maybe a bit over the top, “No1 fans” kind of says it all
It is an enormous pleasure for me to be part of making visitors traveling experience in Tahiti and French Polynesia one that exceeds all expectations. My greatest joy is to share all I have experienced and learnt here from the amazing local population and providing the bridge between visitors and Polynesians
My inspiration and motivation
My biggest inspiration has always been discovering new cultures and ways of living, it’s why I started travelling and why I believe many people continue to travel. The joy of learning and better understanding how other people live always interested me and has been a key motivation. The Pacific has always fascinated me, the islands their people its ocean
The islands have offered me an enormous amount of happiness and taught me so much. Tahiti has provided me with a lifestyle I could never have imagined, its people have been an inspiration – time to return the favour.
UNIQUE TAHITI exists to provide its guests with personalised, unique and authentic guided tours that exceed all expectations. If we send guests home with life time memories for them to share with others inspiring them in turn to come and experience Tahiti themselves our mission is complete
ARE YOU READY TO
Explore this beautiful
island?
ARE YOU READY TO
Explore this beautiful
island?
ARE YOU READY TO
Explore this beautiful
island?
ARE YOU READY TO
Explore this beautiful
island?
Dominique Tehei
About me
I was born on Tahiti and am from the community of Mataiea on Tahitis South West Coast (Gauguin country). I live on my families land, in house that I built myself, with the two women of my life, my wife Ulga and beautiful 10 year old daughter Moetua
I am known as Dominique (it was once fashionable here on Tahiti to use names associated with the outside world) my Polynesian name is Terrimana (the force of the earth)
Working in tourism has provided a platform for me to share my passion for my culture and local identity. As a child, growing up on the island, my Grandfather and members of the local community were my teachers and inspiration. Learning from them their local knowledge and skills regarding our history culture and environment feed my desire to know more. It seems I am never satisfied my thirst to know more and learn never dies.
I am particularly interested in local flora and fauna and the ocean. I was Dive Master on a local cruise ship for many years before switching to a land based career with the birth of my daughter.
As an elected leader of the committee of Tourism of Teva Uta (three large local communities where I live) I am honoured to humbly present my people. I contribute as best I can to transmitting the legacy of our ancestors through local gatherings, festivals and seminars. My career as tour guide a natural extension of that.
My mission is to share all I know with you, our Guests.
I understand that your time on our islands is limited. For many of you it is the bucket list, once in a life time destination that you have been dreaming about getting to for many years. It’s essential for me to use the time we spend together to create an experience that you will never forget. I want to inspire and educated you about who we “the Polynesians “are in an exceptional, fun personalised day out together while visiting the incredibly scenic and breath taking sites of my island home.
ARE YOU READY TO
Explore this beautiful
island?
Ronald Handlovsky
About me
My name is Ronald Handlovsky. I am originally from Kosice, Slovakia. My passion for exploration and adventure led me to French Polynesia. Tahiti is where I laid my hat, where I found not only a new home but also love. Now I am settled on my adopted island home with my partner, Mihiatea, and our two-year-old son, Aimeo.
After studying Mechanical Engineering at Kosice Technical University in Slovakia , I began a career in athletics. Waterpolo was my sport - got as far as playing a few games as goalkeeper for the Slovakian National Waterpolo team. I also played in Israel and the Czech Republic until I moved to Indonesia.
At 23, I travelled to Israel, where I worked as a lifeguard in a hotel, soaking in the vibrant culture and unique experiences of the Middle East.
I moved to Prague in 2003 which became my home for 14 years. There I ran a successful advertising agency. During this period, I fulfilled a lifelong dream by visiting French Polynesia. Instantly captivated by its breathtaking beauty and rich culture. I tattooed a whale onto my arm and a map of Moorea - I knew I had to return!
From Prague , I moved to Indonesia, where I managed a small Hotel and explored the world of tourism for the first time. Tahiti was still on my mind.
In 2019 I returned to Tahiti where I settled , fell in love with Mihiatea and became a dad. Our son's name translated means Moorea. Together we live on Tahiti's East coast on my wife's family land in a house I have renovated - I'm a jack of all trades.
I am immensely grateful to my wife's family for welcoming me into their fold, providing me with the opportunity to experience the Tahitian way of life, so different from Europe . Their acceptance and support have allowed me to immerse myself fully in this vibrant Polynesian community, embracing its traditions, values, and spirit.
My language skills and insider's knowledge of the island and its people naturally lent me towards tourism. Having passed all the exams necessary I became a guide for Unique Tahiti working for my friend Tracey as part of her close knit "family team" of local guides .
As your guide on Tahiti, I am committed to providing you with an unforgettable experience, weaving together the natural wonders, rich history, and warm hospitality of this tropical paradise. I look forward to sharing Tahiti and my experiences here with you, as we discover and create lasting memories of your precious time on my island home.
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Unique Tahiti
Going fishing – kids play during the holidays Tahiti Style
– no phones and screens ….
