Two Days in Tahiti

---

We arrived in Tahiti to a very special greeting…a gorgeous full moon. We quickly cleared customs and immigration and received the traditional Tiare Tahitian flower. As it was late when checking into our hotel, we quickly collapsed into bed. The next morning we were delighted with our surroundings. The resort was located on a soft black sand beach with beautiful surf. We relaxed on the beach for a few hours and mingled with other guests, all Australians and Europeans. We all participated as admiring, if uninvited, guests taking pictures of a young couples’ wedding. Papeete which means “a basket of water” in Tahitian is a lively, animated little city, with much of it’s interest centered along the waterfront, surrounded with markets to greet the tourists from the cruise ships. Beyond that, it’s just a busy city. Returning to the hotel, relaxation was found in a spa tub on our balcony overlooking the ocean. The surf swelled in the evening and during the night pounded so hard the windows rattled.

The following day we rented a car and drove around the island, stopping at the Gauguin Museum and Matavai Bay where Captain Cook, Captain Bligh and the Bounty landed. Later we hiked Le Tois Cascades (the three waterfalls ). It was only about 5 minutes to the first one, but at least a half hour to the other two, and consisted of climbing up, over and sometimes down slippery rocks to reach. The reward was seeing the beautiful slender high falls cascading into pools. It was well worth the effort. We ended the day back in the spa tub on the balcony.

The weather was great, the water was beautiful, and the people were friendly! Little English was spoken other than the English speaking tourists. This is French Polynesia after all. There is a warning attached: everything is very expensive and a good place to start a diet!

---

Photos

Tahiti
Moorea in the Mist

Wedding
The happy couple had friendly smiles for all of the beach guests attending their wedding lunch.

Tahiti
Le Tois Cascades

Tahiti
Le Tois Cascades

Tahiti
Le Tois Cascades

Comments

[Donna]

takes my breath away
Your describtion in wonderful. I can now understand why I hear of so many people wanting to go there. It may be beyond my pocket purse. Could you sleep with the window rattling. I look forward to reading some more about the trip and seeing your pictures.

[Barbara and Rod]

Slept like a baby!
The pounding surf was really soothing in it's own way. Besides, the first night, we were so tired after a long day and 2 flights, we didn't hear anything for long.