Tour Of The Island

Today, we joined a tour of the entire island in a van with 3 others (all from San Diego). The guide was a 44 year old local who had served 20 years in the French army, but was stationed here. His daughter was attending University in France & his son will likely go next year. There are very few opportunities for young people, as the unemployment rate is around 22%, with no Welfare. The big island used to accept large cruise ships, but they are going to limit the ships to 2000 passengers on the big island, & 1000 passengers on Bora Bora. Locals complained that tourists ate all of their food, & packed their bars & stores. He led the tour himself because his other driver likes to have the weekend off. Almost everyone in Tahiti goes to church. Protestant is the most common religion followed by Catholic, Mormon & Seventh Day Adventists. Locals are free to set up fruit & vegetable stands along the roadsides. Our first stop was a sacred Mayan site that used to be a pyramid style temple made of lava rocks. When the English were in charge of the island they took many of the rocks to build their churches. We stopped at a freshwater pool, botanical garden, a blowhole, a black sand beach and a beautiful 100’ waterfall. We learned there are no snakes, reptiles or small mammals on the island. Wild boar were introduced but they aren’t a problem. We ate our dinner the last two nights at food trucks that pull up in front of the ferry docks at around 5pm daily. The fresh fish, steak & chow mien were all tasty.Read more