I get to see Tahiti again! When we arrived in Tahiti, we did not have to tender to get to the port! We pulled right up to the dock! Right outside the ship, there was a Tahitian band complete with drummers, guitarists and much more! They were dressed in traditional Tahitian gear!
There was a market set up right outside selling vanilla, sarongs, necklaces and many other things. For our day today, we decided to discover Tahiti in a different way, using a traditional "Le Truck" as a our transportation. Our Le Truck was decorated with fresh tropical flowers! The Le Truck did not have windows and had wooden benches that really contributed to the ambiance! We also had local Polynesian musicians that played and sung during our drive! We had a local guide that gave comments about Tahiti's history and culture.
Our first stop was at the Arahurahu Marae which was situated in a pretty valley. It is a sacred place which served both religious and social purposes in pre-Christain Polynesian society. There was short walk through beautiful tropical trees and the ground was covered in these tiny little orange fruits that fall from the trees. This was quite a sacred site that had Tiki's scattered throughout and a large temple area and there was a small stream that ran beside the area.
We then continued our drive through Tahiti to the Paul Gauguin Museum. This was an outdoor museum set in a spacious garden. Paul Gauguin lived in Polynesia from June 1891 to August 1893 then again from August 1895 to May 1903, the time of his death in the Marquesas Islands. Even though the museum does not display any original paintings, it offers a good retrospective on the life and work of the artist. There were 3 buildings that held various parts of his life and to walk in between each section you had to walk outside. On one side of the museum, there was a black sand beach where we were able to get into the water if we wanted!
We then visited the romantic Vaiphi Garden where rare species of precious wood, tropical flowers, birds of paradise, torch of ginger flowers, plants including the glossy leaves of taro and giant elephant ears and Tahitian chestnut trees can be found! There was a beautiful lake filled with lilly pads and flowers and long grasses too! We walked through the gardens and to the waterfall that cascaded down the hillside! It was a really lovely garden!
On the way back to Papeete, we went to the Museum of Tahiti and her Islands located on La Pointe des Pecheurs (Fisherman's Point). This museum displayed a large number of archeological finds and it also allowed you to get an impression of the island's geology, as well as its flora and fauna and learn about the culture and customs in ancient and modern Tahiti!
We then stopped at the market, were local Tahitians were selling fishes, fruits, root crops and breadfruits. There were also local handicrafts, pareos and products from coconut like the famous monoi and the beautiful Tahitian black pearl. There were also many vendors selling Siapo or Tapa. It is one of the oldest Samoan cultural art form. For centuries, Siapo has been passed from generation to generation. Even so, it has fast become nearly extinct. The canvas of Siapo is the bark of the paper mulberry tree, known as "u'a." The dyes used in Samoan Siapo also come from nature. The designs elements or symbols used in a Siapo are reflections of things in the Samoan environment.
The day was perfect, but it only just began! As soon as we got back from our tour, we met Pauline and Mike, found a cab and went to Le Meridian! Carol and Jim had rented the Presidential Suite and invited us!
They also invited Jane and Barry and Gloria and Brad! What a fun filled day! The suite was gorgeous and huge! The outdoor balcony wrapped around the room and had a beautiful view of the resort. Jane and Barry brought a delicious fruit tray so we sat
outside and enjoyed the view!
We made our way down to the pool to swim and relax then we went out to the ocean! The current was pretty strong but the waters crystal clear! We spend the entire day here!
We walked out to the over water bungalows to get a closer look at the coral that covered the ocean floor!
We watched the sunset from the balcony and then Carol, Jim, Maggie, Callie, Mom and me went to dinner at the hotel restaurant, which was fabulous! Then it was time to head back to the ship! We had to be onboard by 9pm, we made it with about 10 minutes to spare! I didn't want my day in Tahiti to end!
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