A tropical paradise
Trip Start
Apr 24, 2007
1
40
68
Trip End
Jul 17, 2007
Papeete,
French Polynesia
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Tahiti is the capital of a string of islands known as French Polynesia, about 1/3 of the way across the Pacific from New Zealand.
It is a volcanic island, quite large in size with a range of small mountains in the middle. The beaches are narrow in width, have crystal clear water on one side and frequently end with a large rock face on the other. The beaches are black sand (it being a volcanic island). There are a few beaches with lagoons and these have white sands on the ocean edge of the lagoon.
Tahiti is extremely green and mostly covered with rain forest. A short walk through the rain forest and you spot coconuts and star fruits lying on the ground
Tahiti - 1
.The weather comes from the east. So the east side of the island is less populated getting the bulk of the winds and most of the extensive rainfall. Hence, our hotel is on the west side of the island - ideal for sitting in the bar watching the sun set - in Lafayette Bay. It's pretty much the middle of nowhere, being 15 minutes drive outside of Papeete.
Tahiti gained its reputation as a tropical paradise in the 1800s at the time of Cook, Lafayette, the Bounty et al - imagine being stuck on a boat for months and then arriving at a lush green island with ample food and water and friendly natives. However, Gauguin was right when voicing his opinion that as Tahiti gained 'civilisation' so it lost paradise.
If you ever get here, two thoughts for you - it's expensive (oh how the bean counter has wept upon seeing some of our bills - 8 quid for a coke and a pineapple juice!) and beware the mosquitoes.
Tomorrow is our last day here. Then it's a night flight - oh joy - to Rapa Nui.
