Papeete

This port is our turn around port. This is generally the port that has the most facilities available on the cruise… which it certainly does.

However, this does not include large shopping malls, fast wifi, or any other state of the art facilities that you might find back home. Its all about the beauty of the place, not the speed of their computers.

So off I trundle into the main town in Papeete. Directions given to me curtesy of my colleague which even includes a map. Of course. Who sticks to maps. It only takes me 30 minutes to ignore the map long enough to get so lost I have to get my compass out on my phone to find the start. This doesn’t work.

So I’m then forced to practice my French and ask for directions from a few locals. Eventually I end up back where I started.

I did manage to find the indoor market.

Sold all sorts of interesting trinkets. Food, souvenirs, and their main attraction…Fish. I can only imagine how fresh they are.

The only advice I’ll give. Do avoid the stall on the left with the plastic bag fly swatters. They don’t work as fly swatters and there are more flies than fish hovering around the meat.

A walk along the sea front revealed a beautiful park. They do enjoy a good paddle in their kayaks.

Then a wander back to the ship via a Pearl Museum. Pretty but a little out the budget. I’ll keep saving.

I’ll leave you with a few night shots of the view from the ship. We docked overnight so you do get to enjoy a bit of dancing on land if you’re so inclined…