Papeete, Tahiti - 1 of 2

After a quick ship ride from Moorea to Tahiti Papeete last night, we spent the night docked in port. Today we took a 4x4 Safari Tour in the Heart of Tahiti. Tahiti is 403 square miles (about 200,000 people with more than 50% under 25 years old) but Papeete is only 7 square miles. Papeete is the capital of Tahiti and the administrative center, main port and economic hub of French Polynesia. In 1842, France established a protectorate over Tahiti, and Papeete became its colonial center.

The tour billed as “an unforgettable and thrilling adventure exploring Tahiti from a whole new angle. A unique experience that promises you wonder and memorable memories!” YES, it was a trip that will never be forgotten. In particular that it was a private tour (not with Oceania, which means they don't hold the ship for you if you are late getting back..if you get a flat tire... premonition?) and our jeep got a flat tire in the middle of the jungle ... more on that later!

First, we made a stop at a supermarket to buy some lunch to eat in the “jungle”. Some people picked up a sandwich or salad, Karen & I just got a box of Matzo for Passover (yes here in Tahiti) and decided to eat protein bars for lunch that we brought from CA.

The Papenoo Valley was formed when the crater of the Tahiti Nui Volcano collapsed. The valley we went to was formerly named Te Mano Rahi (10,000 warriors) because for many centuries it was the home of important Tahitian chieftains. Due to its geographical isolation in the heart of the island, there are many parts of the valley which have been preserved in their natural state.

We began on the West Coast of the island where there are beaches and hotels, we went to Papeno'o in Hitiaʻa O Te Ra, a commune of French Polynesia (an overseas territory of France). Then off to the Vallee de la Papenoo, after traveling halfway around the island and reaching Caldera, we visited the authentic village of Fare Hape, a place full of history where our driver who was quite wet and worn from driving through torrential rain to get there, told us about the traditional life of the inhabitants of Tahiti (marae, fare, Tahitian oven, etc). We learned about their religion (see photos, they honor whales, sharks and sea birds) and that 70% are Christian and Mormon, and 30% native religions.

After a 3+ hour very bumpy and wet ride we got to an authentic and picturesque setting in the village of Fare Hape, as well as a marae (a sacred Māori communal meeting ground in New Zealand) the focal point social gatherings, a wharenui (meeting house) and wharekai (dining hall), used for ceremonies like pōwhiri (welcomes) and tangihanga (funerals). This open-air museum is maintained by the cultural association Haururu.

We went through the tunnel connecting the East Coast to the West Coast, with a view of Vaihiria (Tahiti’s only natural high-altitude lake), formed when a large part of the east of the island collapsed and great blocks of volcanic rock fell down, making a dam which blocked the whole width of the valley for 2400’. This would have been a beautiful lake and we were going to swim there BUT we barely could see it through the fog, rain…. This last leg completed our crossing the whole island, the hard way, WITHOUT A ROAD (really), in an open jeep … did I mention, in the pouring rain!!!

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