Page 164 - Pacifia Paradises - 2020

The sights glass-bottom boats for viewing the coral reefs. Tennis and squash
You can visit Point Venus where Captain Cook camped to observe the are on offer at many resorts and at the country club and Tahiti and
transit of the planet Venus in 1769, visit the Faaruma waterfalls, and Moorea offer championship golf courses.
at Taravao on the strategic isthmus joining Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, For the more adventurous, there’s a range of bushwalking and hiking
wander through an old fort built by the French in 1844. available on the volcanic islands of the Society Islands, as well as

Don’t miss the Gauguin Museum in the Papeari district, set in exotic horseriding.
botanical gardens, and the wonderful fruit, vegetable and flower Shopping guide
market in central Papeete. Bright pareus or T-shirts are popular souvenirs, as is Tahitian
Food and entertainment shell jewellery, the famous black pearls, French perfume and local
Tahitian tamara’a’ or feasts can be arranged through local tour handicrafts.
operators. The major international hotels often host evening Climate
programs with lavish buffets and dance shows featuring the The French Polynesian islands enjoy a tropical climate. The average
performances of some of Tahiti’s most talented dancers and temperature is 27ºC, and the waters of the lagoons are a fairly
musicians. Outside the hotels, French, Italian and Chinese cuisine constant 26ºC.
is widely available. There are a host of bars, cafes and nightclubs Clothing
scattered around Papeete giving travellers a wide choice and a Casual. Pareus are popular worn over swimming costumes to the
chance to mix with the locals. Les Roulottes are a Papeete institution, beach or around the pool. Papeete is more cosmopolitan.
a collection of mobile diners operating from early evening until late
at night on the waterfront at Vaiete Square offering mouthwatering Electricity
savoury meals as well as delicious desserts. Most hotels use 110 or 220 volts, AC 60 cycles.
Where to stay Time zone
International luxury resorts and hotels nestle alongside motels, GMT10 hours. AEST-20 hours. Two hours behind US Pacific Standard
lodges and small pensions in the islands. For an authentic Tahitian time and 19 hours behind Australia’s east coast. The Marquesas
experience, many families also offer rooms for rent within their Islands are 30 minutes ahead of the rest of French Polynesia.
homes. There are also youth hostels and campsites with cooking Currency
facilities for those on a tight budget. French Pacific francs (CFP). Tipping is discretionary.
Getting around Visas and health
Le Truck is Tahiti’s public bus service. The destination is posted on All passengers entering French Polynesia must have an outbound
top of each Le Truck, which always begins and ends its round trips at ticket. Check with airline as entry formalities may change.
the public market in the centre of Papeete. It is also possible to travel
between islands by ferry, with the Aremiti ferry taking just 40 minutes There is no departure tax and Australians do not require visas. Other
from Papeete to Moorea. visitors, check with the French Consulate.
Activities Getting there
Tahiti is renowned for its range of water sports, from diving and Air France, Hawaiian Airlines, Air New Zealand, QANTAS, LanChile
snorkelling, to windsurfing and sailing, to deep-sea fishing, surfing (via Easter Island), Air Caledonie International and Air Tahiti Nui. The
and jet-skiing. Speedboats are available for waterskiing and there are domestic carrier is Air Tahiti.

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