Tag 48/49: Papeete, Tahiti - French Polynesia

Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia. Around 25,000 inhabitants live in the city on Tahiti, the largest island of the Society Islands. Due to the country's only international airport and the cruise ships that anchor in the harbor almost daily, Papeete is a lively place. The most important economic factor is tourism, and the second most important is still the trade in pearls. Although there are no pearl farms directly off the island, Tahiti has become the center of trade for the black 'Tahitian pearls'. The island is considered the birthplace of Polynesian culture, and its traces can still be found today.

Tahiti welcomes us with rain. We are already quite wet on the way from the ship to the end of the pier. Only a baseball cap and a rain jacket provide some protection. We stand under a pavilion for half an hour and discuss the next steps. We make our way under awnings to the market hall. There you can find the usual souvenirs and local things at high prices. We continue to a restaurant to use the Wi-Fi there. It costs us a beer for eight euros. Meanwhile, the rain has stopped and we walk back towards the harbor. At a taxi stand, we discuss what we can do tomorrow, if necessary, and at what price. Leo suggests a 4-hour tour of the island in a van (maximum eight people) for 300 dollars. We arrange to meet at 11:00 am the next day.

Today at 11:00 am, no Leo and no taxi. Two taxis that stop briefly cannot help us. Finally, Leo arrives with his taxi, but it doesn't have enough space for us (now six people). But he calls a friend and we spread out in two vehicles. Before the trip starts, we ask about the price, which is now supposed to be 260 dollars per car. We agree on 200 dollars per vehicle. Then we're off.

Leo has good knowledge, speaks passable English, and is very funny. The tour around the island will cover 120 km and have various stops. First, we visit a lighthouse on a beach with black sand, then roaring water fountains on a cliff coast, followed by an idyllic waterfall and a botanical garden with a cave. All in all, interesting points and a harmonious day. Finally, Leo takes us right to the ship because he has a license to enter the port and knows virtually every security man. Both we and Leo are extremely satisfied with our tour when we say goodbye.