Two Weeks in Tahiti and Moorea, French Polyensia

The sun was shining and the air was warm as we said goodbye to our home of 34 days. Disembarkation in Papeete, Tahiti was the easiest one we have ever experienced. Within in a few minutes we had picked up our luggage and were on the shuttle bound to the airport. Our friends Gill and John had rented a car and as luck would have it, they had booked the same exact beach lodge as we did. What are the odds?

The four of us packed our luggage and ourselves into a tiny car and made the drive to the other side of the island. Our lodge consisted of three bungalows on the black sand beach. It was incredibly beautiful. We spent the next 3 days touring around the island and soaking up the sun.

After 3 days, John and Gill had to go home. After spending so much time together and becoming great friends, we were so sad to see them go. We helped them pack the car and waved as they pulled out of the drive.

After Gill and John left, we still had 10 days on the islands. We enjoyed the pool, the beach and playing cards on our deck. There is nothing like sitting in the shade, taking in the smell of the ocean and listening as the waves roll in.

When the time came for us to check out of the Surf Beach Paradise Lodge, our host took us into the city of Papeete to drop us off but once we got there, we couldn’t find the address for our Airbnb. Come to find out the address was listed wrong and it was actually on the island of Moorea.

So, we had to buy ferry tickets and take the 25 minute ride to the other island. The ferry tickets were $30 per person roundtrip. The taxi fares are quite expensive ranging between $35 – $50 per ride. With that in mind, after two transfers and the ferry ride we made it to our booked house. Unfortunately the house was terrible. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. We made an unexpected move to another Airbnb. Our second accommodation on Moorea was in a studio attached to a local’s house. Our host, Laurence drove in her personal car to pick us up and take us to the accommodation – Afareaitu. The couple we stayed with were very nice and really helped us have a great stay. Their four-legged kids were sweet as can be.

Moorea has a low population with the people living along the coast. Outside of the cruise port area, it is very rural. Near the port, tours are available to go to swim with sharks and rays. We did that on the cruise, so during our stay on Moorea we relaxed, read books, played it he water and challenged each other in card games. Watching sunrise and sunset was wonderful.

Our highlight of Moorea was a two mile hike up into the mountains to a beautiful waterfall. The hike took us through a neighborhood,  past a farm and onto a very narrow path through the forest. It was very humid so we were very hot when we reached the falls. I was eager for a swim in the cool water. We were lucky to be the only ones at the secluded spot.

After 4 days we decided to head back to Tahiti and spend a few days at one of the big beach resorts. We were able to book a condo in the Tahiti Pearl Beach Resort complex. The resort was located on the infamous Matavi Bay. The same bay visited by many famous captains like Captain Cook and Captain Bligh when they explored the pacific.

One of the nights during our stay, there was a performance by a local dance group. We enjoyed the traditional music and Robert even got a chance to try out some of the moves.

After 2 weeks on the islands, it was time for us to get on a plane as well. We really enjoyed seeing French Polynesia. However, overall it is very expensive and similar in beauty to Hawaii or the Caribbean. We did not find the locals to be very friendly and as a tourist it is not easy to get around. Should we go to French Polynesia again, it would be on a cruise.

A parahi (goodbye in Tahitian)! We are anxious to see our families and celebrate American Thanksgiving in the USA.  We will spend a few weeks in the US before our final leg of our adventure in Africa.