Blogs from French Polynesia, Oceania - page 44

Oceania » French Polynesia » Nuku Hiva January 17th 2006

We reached our first port today, Nuku Hiva. This is an un-touristy island in the Marquesas, the northernmost island group in French Polynesia. I think the ship stops here to give those craving land a chance to stand on terra firma. There is very little to see except the lush landscape and a very slow-paced way of life. We took the ship’s excursion to the Taipavai Valley. Women residents greeted us with singing and placed leis around our necks as we stepped ashore from the ship’s tender. Our tour was a caravan of local 4-wheel drive vehicles led by a main guide who spoke some English. Alan and I traveled in a Toyota mini truck with a guide who spoke no English. We stopped at two Catholic churches, the main buildings on the island with any ... read more

2 days in French Polynesia

Oceania » French Polynesia » Tahiti January 6th 2006

The Polynesians!

Guy and Rachel

We landed in Papeete on the island of Tahiti very late at night and were already sceptical about our arranged pick-up. Needless to say they did'nt turn up and we caught an (expensive) cab to our hostel. Upon arrival there was nobody there and no lights on but we managed to wake someone up and get our room; they knew we were coming and claimed the transfer was waiting for us.... yeah, right! After a hot night in our room we got up and had breakfast. This really is a beautiful place, crystal clear blue waters, just like you see on those 'paradise island' photos. We spent some time in the town and then 2 days soaking up the sun on the beach.... read more

First Log

Oceania » French Polynesia » Moorea December 4th 2005

Michaelandlesley

We Have Arrived in the South Pacific We have had a wonderful time in Tahiti and Moorea soaking up the sun and coping with the heat day and night. It was amazing to have night time temperatures the same as day time. We only cycled on Moorea really and went round it once over three days between hotels/cabins. We found a Club Med site totally closed off with a lovely beach next to one hotel we found and then we moved to the other side to one we had already booked for Michael's birthday. They were both comfortable hotels of small self contained cabins with a few rooms at the back. Anyway we made best use of the deserted beaches around the Club Med site and swam over to the island next to the coral reef ... read more

4 Islands and 6 Languages Later - Tahiti

Oceania » French Polynesia » Tahiti November 1st 2005

Pape'ete

Pam

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

Tahiti - An Island paradise?

Oceania » French Polynesia » Moorea September 5th 2005

A local Stingray

Bex and Rich

We left New Zealand and headed for Tahiti with all the anticipation and excitement you could imagine. Even the anouncement on the plane before landing that it was raining did little to dampen our spirits (excuse the pun), and as soon as we got off the plane we felt that tropical temperature we had been longing for. We jumped into a taxi and arrived at our 'BUDGET´ accomodation (US$90), where we spent one night before heading off to Moorea on the ferry the next morning. On arrival we decided to hire a car for a few hours so we could check out all the accomodation options. After neither of my Credit Cards working through no fault of my own Becky came to the rescue and we drove off in our new car. It wasn't long before ... read more

French Polynesia

Oceania » French Polynesia » Moorea August 18th 2005

Paul Gaugin's grave site

Dobes

Here's some photo's from all over French Polynesia. enjoy... read more

The Second Largest Atoll in the World

Oceania » French Polynesia » Rangiroa August 3rd 2005

Part of Rangiroa from the plane

Oh the Places We Go

Day One: Rangiroa is the the second largest atoll in the world. (An atoll is an island of coral that encircles a lagoon. The largest in the world is in the Marshall Islands) Compared to Moorea and Bora Bora, Rangiroa is very flat, but still very pretty. The various blues in the water are gorgeous and the island is closer to the Equator, so it is much more humid. We started our day in Bora Bora, where we watched the sun rise. Then, we got breakfast--yummy pastries and mango juice! We toured the island a bit more before turning in our rental car. When we checked out of our hotel, we got quite a send off! They had men playing the ukulele and signaling our farewell by blowing notes into conch shells. It was neat ... read more

Beautiful Bora Bora

Oceania » French Polynesia » Bora Bora July 30th 2005

Bora Bora from the plane

Oh the Places We Go

Day One: Today we arrived in Bora Bora around 1 PM. The plane ride was short, but scenic. Flying over the island before landing was beautiful! From the airport, we had to take a long ride on a boat taxi to our hotel, the Sofitel Motu. (A motu is like a tiny island separated from the coast of an island by a narrow channel of water) One thing that struck me right away was how hot and humid Bora Bora was compared to Moorea! We splurged on an overwater bungalow. It was great! Spacious, pretty, and private. Plus, from our balcony, we could see the island from all directions...what a view! :) After checking out our room, we headed to the hotel snack bar for lunch. We split a cheeseburger and French fries ($22!). It ... read more

Paradise!

Oceania » French Polynesia » Moorea July 25th 2005

Moorea

Oh the Places We Go

Day One: We began our trip to paradise when we arrived in Papeete, Tahiti, at 4:30 AM. We spent a long time waiting in lines to clear customs. While waiting, though, we saw a crab walking around the airport floor. How funny! From the airport in Tahiti, we had to take a 10 minute plane ride to the island of Moorea. I knew we were going to have a wonderful trip because as we were boarding the little propeller plane, we saw a huge rainbow in the sky! :) We arrived at our hotel, the Intercontinental Beachcomber, about 8 AM....however, our room would not be ready till 2 PM. They gave us some delicious fruit juice and a transit room, where we showered and felt human again. Then, we lounged in the lobby; I slept while ... read more

Huahine Forever

Oceania » French Polynesia » Huahine June 5th 2005

Huahine

bluenazar

Huahine Forever, a inscription carved on the docks at the port town of Fare on Huahine is what it feels like to be on this gorgeous isle. Having survived the ardous 9 hour freighter to the Island, I was met with beautiful mountain vistas along with crystal clear blue waters teeming with tropical fish practically swimming around your ankles. This island is truly inspirational. I can see how anyone can simple fall in love with its lagoons and peaceful atmosphere. It is simple timeless, nothing changes, nothing probably ever will nor should it. Camping out at edge of the beach was relatively inexpensive and you get to hear the roar of the ocean as it breaks along the edge of the lagoon not far from shore. It was farily difficult to stay on this island ... read more

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