Blogs from Tahiti, French Polynesia, Oceania - page 10

It’s true what they say about Papeete, Tahiti; it is not the tropical paradise one imagines. This large city (by Polynesian standards) has about 20,000 inhabitants and plenty of city sounds and traffic. Sitting on the balcony, drinking our morning coffee as the ship pulls into port after another day at sea, we notice the car-jammed streets. But, it is an exotic place to us and we can’t wait to get out in the very hot and humid weather to explore. After walking down the gangplank and across the dock to a walkway that skirts the water, Alan and I are quickly soaked in sweat. We pass by another cruise ship and continue for a while along the pathway. Changing sides of the street, we walk back towards the ship looking in shops along the way. ... read more

This entry is really old news, the internet prices in Tahiti were so high that I couldn't afford to use the computer. Then, Easter Island was so fantastic, that I had to write about that first. Now, we are in the Cook Islands and I am writing about Tahiti. Are you confused yet?? Our parting act as we left LAX for Tahiti was the destruction of the cell phone. It gave Ron great pleasure to disconnect from that aspect of our U.S. life. I wanted to photograph it for the blog, but we didn't want to create a scene in the airport. So, he took it to the men's room and smashed it in to numerous pieces in a handicapped stall. No more, "Can you hear me now?" I wish I could have wittnessed its demise. ... read more

We docked this morning (Wednesday) at Raiatea, the first of the French Polyneasian islands we'll visit. Tomorrow is a stop at Bora Bora (think "South Pacific") where we will stay overnight at one of their famous resorts with thatch roofed huts over the water where the room service breakfast arrives on a canoe. This is something we heard about last year when we were here, and we wanted to try it out this time. These little islands are fabulously beautiful, each one surrounded by coral reefs so ugly things like tsunamis can't get through. The French own these islands, and they treat the native Polynesian a bit like the US used to treat its native Americans,except the handcuffs are more golden. A lot of free stuff and heavily subsidised housing. Unlike most tropical islands, tourism is ... read more

I've got it all wrong... I was pretty cocky in planning this trip.. the timing of things, the exotic locations I had selected..they were all perfect... but I have got it wrong. In allowing a year to explore the world, and 2 weeks for the South Pacific, I have got things the wrong way round... a year here would be just fine... this place is simply the place that daydreams are made of. Tahiti.. the name conjours up images in your mind, I bet, of reef fringed lagoons of baby blue water, swaying palm trees, pretty polynesian girls wearing floral patterns and flowers in their hair etc etc... now I hate to disappoint you, so I wont... it's all true. Well, the outlying islands are, anyway.. Tahiti is the biggest island and hub of French Polynesia.. ... read more

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