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Our vacation begins when we land in Papeete, Tahiti on a Saturday morning. |
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Clearing customs and waiting for luggage at the Fa’a’a Int’l Airport was a breeze. The Paul Gauguin, an all-inclusive small-ship luxury cruise line that tours the Tahitian Islands, arranged transfers for us from the airport to our first property in Tahiti. We had the option of staying at either the Le Meridian Resort (soon to be a Sofitel property) or the more luxurious InterContinental Resort. After checking in to our day room where we were able to freshen up after our overnight flight, we utilized the vouchers that the hotel gave us for lunch at the beachfront restaurant. Yum!
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Later in the afternoon Tahiti Nui Travel sent a transfer to pick us up and drop us off at the M/S Paul Gauguin. Due to the small nature of the ship there was never a line throughout the cruise, even the boarding process! We immediately were welcomed by a French Polynesian musician playing guitar and singing, and beautiful Polynesian women dancing by his side. I was pleasantly surprised by the size of our balcony cabin – extremely spacious! We also had a huge exotic flower arrangement, chilled champagne, and a box of Godiva chocolates waiting for us. That night during dinner we set sail for the southern island of Tahiti Iti, which means “Little Tahiti”. |
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Warm WelcomeWe cruised that evening from Papeete to Vairao, Tahiti Iti. Paul Gauguin is the only cruise line that visits this small, unspoiled paradise. We woke that early morning with music and voices coming into our balcony stateroom. It was the local people of Tahiti Iti welcoming us to their paradise. They were on outriggers and small boats decorated with beautiful flowers circling the ship. It was such a beautiful way to begin our cruise in Tahiti and the Society Islands. |
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Local Farmers MarketsAfter breakfast, we tendered into shore where the local people had a small type farmers market with an underground food roast called an Imaa, many booths with local crafts, foods and music. So many festivities. Wonderful welcoming!
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IMAA – An oven that has been dug in the earth in preparation for a traditional Tahitian feast on the island of Moorea. |
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Later that day we took a small boat out to the reef of the world famous surf competition, Billabong Pro Teahupo’o, the previous week. Very hard to imagine so many people in such a small village. The surf was only about 4-5ft so we were able to boat the outside of the break where surfers were riding the waves. This was such a wonderful unexpected experience. The scenery from the small boat looking toward the shore of beautiful beaches some black sand and the lush mountain peaks was quite dramatic the back drop from the ocean. I highly recommend visiting the tiny paradise if ever the chance. Paul Gauguin is the only ship that offers this port. |
