Papeete, Tahiti

6^thOctober 2019

Arrival into Papeete is on time entering the harbour at just after 7 am. There is a fair bit of cloud around, so our run of superb weather may be coming to an end.

As we were warned, it is Sunday and things are pretty dead in Papeete. We have booked a circle island tour scheduled to leave at just after 8 am, and it will go for about 2.5 hours.

It seems some people have come out to great the passengers of Ruby Princess as we disembark, despite it being Sunday. This group seniors gave us a warm welcome, singing Tahitian Songs as we headed off to join our tour groups.

The Circle Island Drive promises a number of highlights on our drive around the larger of the two islands (tied by an isthmus) that comprise Tahiti.

Driving through first the city and then into the countryside, it is pretty clear that this is not a prosperous place. Our guide explains that over half of the population is under 30 years old (the total population of French Polynesia is only 288,000). Unemployment is running at around 26%. Most of the senior jobs in Government are held by French nationals, as it is difficult for Tahitians to meet the employment criteria. Nevertheless, the people are very friendly and accept their lot.

First on the highlights of out tour is a stopover at Mara’s Fern Grotto grove. By now the rain has started which has dampened the enthusiasm a little, but most people got off the bus and took the short walk to the fern grotto in light rain.

Back in the bus, it is only a short drive to our next stop, the Gardens of Vaipahi. It is still raining lightly but the walk through the gardens to see the waterfall, some amazing plants and a bit of wildlife made it worthwhile.

Continuing on along the coastline, sometimes driving right on the edge of the ocean, we came to the village of Papeari, where we stopped for a comfort stop and beverage and the Gaugin Museum and restaurant. Unfortunately the museum is closed for renovation, but we were ushered into the restaurant, given a free drink and the opportunity to use the facilities. Located on the waterfront, the restaurant had a jetty out the front and some fish pens that contained some pretty big fish. It is still drizzling rain, but it looks like it is clearing.

Gaugin Restaurant

 Mystery Fish

As we drive further around the island, sunshine returns and we have a brief stop to see the famous blowhole of Arahoho, beside the highway. Apparently it used to blow water across the highway when seas were up, and a tunnel was built to bypass it. Alas, the blowhole was having an off day today, barely able to raise a bit of mist.

No action at the blowhole but a nice bay

At least we got to stretch our legs in some sunshine and see a pretty part of the coast before getting back in the bus to travel to Point Venus, where Captain Cook landed in Tahiti. There is quite a bit to see here so we had a good wander around and checked out the various monuments, a very old lighthouse that is still in use, and a black sand beach that seems to be very popular with the locals. It seems it may be the best beach on Tahiti.

Old Lighthouse atVenus Point still operating

Our guide, Gana

Fishing outriggers 

These are for racing

Captain Cook Memorial

Best Beach in Tahiti ?

These guys did OK for a Sunday

Our final stop was at Tahara’s Hill Lookout, which gave us a lovely view of Matavai Bay, looking back towards Papeete and the port where the Ruby Princess is berthed.

Tallest Building in Papeete ? Easy, its the Ruby Princess (centre picture)

Once all photos were taken, we were back on the bus and headed for the port where we arrived at around 1.15pm.

As nothing is open in the port area, we went aboard for lunch. After lunch Mike and I went for a walk around the town, mainly along the waterfront looking at the boats at the marina. Mike had a brief stop at the quaint little Catholic Church which is right in the centre of town.

Mike outside the Catholic Church

Ruby Princess alongside at Papeete

Looking from the ship towards the shore

We then went and checked out the large ferry terminal, which is not far from our ship and from which we have seen a few ferries coming and going. The sun is now hot, the rain gone and humidity high. Perfect conditions to try out the local beer at the ferry terminal. It was pretty good !

As there was nothing else to see we headed back to te ship and were back on board by around 4.15pm.

Tomorrow we go to Moorea, and we have expectations that they may have a bit more to see than here. We have booked a ride around the island on a catamaran, with a stop to do some snorkeling.