Tantalizing Tahiti

We docked in Papeete (Tahiti) and took the walking excursion to tour the little city of some 27,000 people. Humid, warm ... typical for this latitude.

My initial impression was that the town was a little run down. But it was surely alive!

Our first stop was the Tahiti City Hall. Alternatively, this impressive building, opened in 1990, is a replica of Queen Pomare's mansion—who ruled in 1845 when Tahiti became a French Protectorate—which once stood at Place Tarahoi. The city hall is the office of the mayor of Pape'ete. Leaving this impressive building we ambled by the Cstholic Cathedral.

We then took a few more steps and stopped and shopped at the Papeete Market, a fun and colorful experience.

No shortage of lush botanical gardens; we visited two on just this walking excursion!

In the afternoon we took a long coach excursion that included the Vaipai Gardens and the Gauguin Restaurant. The gardens were gorgeous!Read more