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this page,  Tahiti Nui   (round of the the large island
French
flowers back ground : from the booklet "hotel Tahiti"

There are lots of things to do and see in Tahiti.  Among them, learning taking time, to live casually and simply, to let the time fly, keep cool and much of things we don't know to do. But it is not the most favourite destination and with a package tour, lucky if you stay there more than two days, time to forward for other more prestigious destinations. It is true we were a bit disenchanted arriving at Papeete.

The previous night were a bit hectic in the plane and the city itself didn't appear to us as we expected. The following days was better, going to the market, going shopping, riding a truck, talking with people, having a round trip and breathing this unique way of life, although there are jams all around the island.

It is necessary to have time and to rent a car for quietly driving the tour of the island by taking the air of the country.

Our organised round trip of the island was very, very too fast, nearly flying in a little van !

The congestions waste a little the life and the last truck stops rather early in the afternoon. (about 16 h 30)


Photograph: the single circular road.

A couple living in Bora Bora said to us : if it is to live like in Paris, it is not the sorrow (worthwhile) (they spoke of course about Papeete). Such words make us smile of course, but all is relative here.

The development of the close island Moorea is partly related to this problem but there are others like unemployment of them, the drink, the insecurity.

Moreover Moorea is favoured by the beaches. If one believes the newspapers of them, " American unloads there in tightened rows, the pockets full with dollars".

Rush to the giant wave !
Very, very dangerous due to the reef each side

 At TEAHUPOO (Tahiti iti peninsula).

Waiting after the giant wave.
see the stick to drive, a polynesian  use.

Circular road : part of the East coast is austere, mountain almost overhanging there. It is the corner of the surfers. A cyclone caused large damage in the vegetation.

In the other part of country, one finds along the road, this kind of dwelling (on the right) between softened mountain and sea (most of them more modest). And also small churches or chapels.

The tour around island understands some stops. One of them make us following a path leading to a cascade. If the cascade is modest, the walk is worthwhile : it is a path amid the vegetation, of which a passage of bamboos.

Do the Tahitian come refreshing themselves there ? I don't know. May be It is forbidden. Women having an happy bath in these rivers, is not a legend.
 .See this of Vaima there after.

These settings, very shaded and humid are strongly agreable and also surprising. bamboos reach there a significant size.

 In the river, on fish the "chevrette", a shrimp whose name comme from the french "chèvre"(goat), so named because its jumps.. like a chèvre/goat !

Bath in the Vaima river. 
Official statement “Tahiti presses”, 2006 Vaima, is the name of a resurgence in the basalt which forms one river. It is partly the name of a bottled water coming from the source of Paepari, you will quickly  recognize by its Gauguin style label.

The municipality of Mataiea projects to emphasize the baths of Vaima, old place of royal bath. Part of history paving are still there like those of a marae, which would be rehabilitated within the framework of a project covering a setting of .0174 sq.mile
 

 It is envisaged to create a permanent animation by the presence of multiple vocation buildings, a market, restoration, shops etc.

Tourism will find there its pleasures and the Polynesians also, perhaps. Simple life and the heart of the ancestors in less. I am always mulling over this fisherman whose way had been suddenly cut by the airport, or also those which said to me, about a beach of Nouméa, "in former times, one came fishing there". So the life goes.
 
 
One of the 35000 species of orchises. 		The park extends to the edge of the lagoon of Tahiti..


 
Lotus (Egypt origin)

 



A beautiful banian.

There are also Tahitian female which are really beautiful plants too.

Birds of paradise..

Héliconia rostrata, same family that banana tree. Tropical America origin. 150 varieties are numbered.

 

Flower of opahi


Gauguin museum

The Gauguin museum is opposite the park. In an organised visit, it will be necessary for you to choose between one or the other : if not, you will not see a lot. Remenber you will have meal there too.

A beautiful variety of palm trees in this area ; this one seems to be composed of thick feathers like a duster.

There is also the tree of the travellers, with its majestic fan..

These liana have very beautiful flowers, in their simplicity.


To be seen, these hills and this mountain ; one regrets not being able to make the inside tracks in 4*4. All the volcanoes of Polynesia offer splendid landscapes and a luxurious vegetation.

pattern "Hotel Tahiti"

The minibus continues its insane race, but it is almost the end of the tour ; remains the visit of lagonarium, located in the complex cabaret-spectacle of the " captain Bligh" Captain Bligh ", held by.. a Chinese. I waited outside, but not because of the Chinese owner !


No beaches in this fast round trip. The only visited beach is of black sand (volcanic basalt ; see Tahiti page 1). We passed away from that of white sand.

May I suggest you to listen the local radio and record some sounds (smartphone, video camera or other). There are very beautiful songs (and beautiful voices), but also funny publicity and weather. Here, old French songs are still sung and one gives " the colour of time " to the weather. They are in French or Polynesian, of course, but that doesn't matter.

Papeete market (food, fish, souvenirs, flowers)

Tahiti 1 (Papeete) Tahiti 2 (tour of Island, Vaima bath, botanic parc) - necklaces, bracelets


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