We walked past the Presidential Palace last week and were welcomed inside the gates by the security guard. We inquired about a tour and they gave us a request form to fill out. A week later we were being led around by a very friendly guy who is absolutely in love with America, or at least his Hollywood vision of America. He repeatedly told us how much he wished French Polynesia was American Polynesia. He’s finally taking a trip to Los Angeles and Las Vegas this year, so it’ll be nice for him to get that true taste of America once and for all.
He gave us a really nice tour. Definitely worth the price of admission (free) and the thirty minutes of our time. We didn’t learn a ton, but it’s not every day we get a “White House” tour. Special thanks goes to Ali for actually taking the time to set it up. If this sort of thing was left to me we’d never accomplish anything.
French Polynesia recently elected a new President. Pro-Independence Moetai Brotherson. So much for the dream of an American Polynesia.
McDonald’s in one hand, a bird in the other. We were here twenty years ago when the Maccas was new and novel. It’s now just a camp for homeless that sells $6.00 ice cream sundaes. Not a place worth getting too excited over. I tell you, what Papeete really needs now is a Taco Bell. Am I right?
A lot to check off in a couple of days.
We showed up an hour before they started serving dinner, so we were the first to get our pizza. The dive shop’s dog was happy that dinner was finally served.
Pretty sure these weren’t actually being launched off of Zuckerberg’s yacht, but it was hard to tell for sure.
Seems to be all the rage these days to drop things in the ocean for tourists to snorkel around. Like a little underwater playground. We couldn’t help but have fun participating.
Chips, salsa, trail mix, and paper towels. We’re ready to go.
Look at me, Mr. Workerbee. The boys of the boat got their hair cut in a foofoo French salon, too. Ready to take on the world.
The Papeete harbor is so clean that when your mat flies into the water you can’t help but dive in to retrieve it. Not many marinas I’d be doing this at.
Of course, the day we have to leave the wind is howling at thirty knots. We made our way around the island to the fuel dock at Marina Taina, which requires crossing the airport runway a couple of times. We had to call Port Control, and our VHF battery was completely dead. They do answer the phone, though, and they were very friendly about helping me get across without issue.
We had gone to immigration in the morning to clear out (day 90 of our 90-day visa), which got us a piece of paper allowing us to take on some duty-free fuel. We topped up the tanks for about half price and headed out to anchor for the night.
Unfortunately, the anchorage was stuffed to overflowing, either with anchored boats or moorings that the marina said were all spoken for. We didn’t see anywhere we wanted to settle in, so we decided to jump across to Mo’orea for the night. On the way out to the pass a group of boogie boarders were holding their hands up in prayer. It’s a long paddle from shore. We threw a few lines overboard and swung past to pick them up. They were stoked to hitch a ride.
The ride between Tahiti and Moorea went from flat calm to wicked thirty knots and rolling waves in the space of a few seconds about halfway across, as soon as we exited the wind shadow. After about two hours we rolled up out from of Cook’s Bay, though, and were able to settle in for a nice quiet night.
11 Comments on “Last Minute Tahiti”
It is great to be seeing this journey. Good stuff. The bodyboarders were stoked! Bad ass that that is normal.
So, were you trading from that laptop under the sea?
So, that laptop must be running Think or Swim… Nice haircuts!
Love your haircut, Pat.
Pics are beautiful, as always. I’m especially taken with those nighttime pics. You can even see the stars! What are you using for a camera these days?
We’ve gone to the dark side and just use our Google Pixel 7 Pro phone. It takes a good shot.
The Southern Cross and Pointers in the last photograph!
It lined up perfectly.
Great haircut, Pat. And after reading about the burger prices, I gotta ask how much that amazing-looking pizza set you back?!
I remember you catching flak for eating at McD’s in Tahiti and defending your love of fast food on your first circumnavigation! I’m staggered I was reading you that long ago.
Not to gloat but here in Bali I bought lunch for 3 with drinks at a warung in Denpasar the other day and it cost 130,000 rupiah. That’s $8.66! It was a modest meal however, a fab dinner for two with alcoholic drinks will run you upwards of $18-24!
I hope you stick with the kitesurfing, I learned at age 63 and was stoked to get 51 days on the water last season in La Ventana. It’s actually a great sport for seniors but mega for youth, I’m sure your kids will soon be boosting huge air and many tricks! It’s a global tribe and a lifestyle.
I stepped outside last night, the sky was unusually clear for Canggu and I saw the Centaurys and the Southern Cross just the same as your image. Fantastic to see them so high, they just barely clear the horizon in south Baja!
I neglected to mention that the Cook Islands is one of the iconic spots for kite surfing, and August is the height of the season!