Ia Orana (or hello in Polynesian)

We have finally made it to French Polynesia - Tahiti to be exact. We arrived from LA after flying Tahiti Nui airline that was actually pretty impressive. Although, when we got here we came across something rather interesting. Tahiti itself has no beaches and the only strip of reef that is right by the airport. So the polynesian scene we were expecting is not the one of Tahiti! A minor upset but since you have to fly into Pappette (the capital) it made little difference, we had to be here at least for the night.

So we arrived and are staying at a little Fare (polynesian for home) called Fare Suisse, owned by a guy called Beni who is married into a Tahitian family. Being Swiss French we think he had no problem with visas etc... He is actually very accomodating and has organised all our airport transfers, a basic but comfortable room for us to stay in and a tour of the island of Tahiti. This is something we thought we must do. We were very wrong - it was pretty pointless, there is very little to see except a blowhole, a cave and a waterfall. Shame really - but nevertheless we wouldn't have known if we didn't go. On the plus side we are in the south pacific so it is HOT! and there is free wireless which helps us keep an eye on our finances etc... Unfortunately we didn't leave the States with much of the Vancouver money we had saved - but we really don't regret a thing. So tomorrow we fly to Huahine - one of the more idillic islands in French Polynesia - can`t wait for some R+R...