Le Marche

In the very heart of Papeete’s business district lies the public market that has occupied an entire city block for over 155 years. A block back from the waterfront, Le Marche is a 2-story open-air building containing hundreds of vendor stalls inside and around its outer perimeter. There you will find food as well as souvenir and gift items : fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and fish in the produce sections;  hand-made crafts such as woven hats & baskets, wood carvings and elaborate shell jewelery; brightly-colored pareos (sarongs) literally by the hundreds; lightly-scented, moisturizing monoi (coconut oil) products; and some intriguing tropical fruit jams, jellies and juices.

Remember that Papeete is the both the capital and the commercial center of Tahiti. This is one-stop shopping at its best. You will find the largest variety of local products at some of the best prices in the islands. But I go there just as much for the direct contact with local people. 

The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (CFP or XPF).  It is handy to have some spending money for small items such as drinks, snacks and postcards. U.S. dollars may be conveniently exchanged at the airport or hotels.  Most larger businesses in tourist areas take major credit cards. However, Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than American Express. Be aware that smaller stores and street vendors may only deal in cash.

A quick word of advice – do not even attempt to barter with vendors. Bargaining and haggling over prices is NOT customary here. You may only manage to insult them. Always be friendly and polite when asking if they accept U.S. dollars and you may find that they have actually rounded the price down slightly. Just smile sweetly as you say Merci (french) or Mauruuru (tahitian) and walk away with your purchase(s).

Tahiti is a sensory experience.

airport greeters

As you step off the plane at Papeete’s Faa’a International Airport, the air immediately envelops you in a  warm caress. Airport greeters hand you a snowy-white tiare flower. The delicate scent of  gardenia, the national flower of Tahiti,  will be everpresent during your stay. Next, a trio of local musicians serenades you into the airport building.  This warm welcome awaits you even if you are arriving at 1 a.m. on your 8-hour direct flight from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui.

Once you have collected your luggage & cleared customs and immigration, a transportation coordinator meets you with a fresh flower lei before you are whisked off to your resort. After you arrive, the gracious front desk staff will offer you a tropical fruit punch before transferring you and your belongings to your accommodations.

Love at First Sight

This was my very first view of Tahiti after I arrived. From the elevated lobby of the Tahiti Inter-Continental Resort, you can see the horizon pool in the foreground, their on site lagoonarium in the midground (dark area), the Sea of the Moon and the rugged peaks of Moorea in the background. It simply took my breath away.

Tahiti consists of 118 islands and atolls officially known as French Polynesia.  As far south of the equator as Hawaii is north, Tahiti is halfway between California and Australia. It is in the same time zone as Hawaii and on the same side of the International Date Line as North America.

The island of Tahiti with the capital city of Papeete is part of the Society Islands archipelago along with the famous islands of  Moorea & Bora Bora. Other often-visited island groups include the Tuamotus and Marquesas.

Bienvenue to the sensual South Seas.

Tomorrow we begin exploring.

In the very heart of Papeete’s business district lies the public market that has occupied an entire city block for over 155 years. A block back from the waterfront, Le Marche is a 2-story open-air building containing hundreds of vendor stalls inside and around its outer perimeter. There you will find food as well as souvenir and gift items : fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and fish in the produce sections;  hand-made crafts such as woven hats & baskets, wood carvings and elaborate shell jewelery; brightly-colored pareos (sarongs) literally by the hundreds; lightly-scented, moisturizing monoi (coconut oil) products; and some intriguing tropical fruit jams, jellies and juices.

Remember that Papeete is the both the capital and the commercial center of Tahiti. This is one-stop shopping at its best. You will find the largest variety of local products at some of the best prices in the islands. But I go there just as much for the direct contact with local people. 

The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (CFP or XPF).  It is handy to have some spending money for small items such as drinks, snacks and postcards. U.S. dollars may be conveniently exchanged at the airport or hotels.  Most larger businesses in tourist areas take major credit cards. However, Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than American Express. Be aware that smaller stores and street vendors may only deal in cash.

A quick word of advice – do not even attempt to barter with vendors. Bargaining and haggling over prices is NOT customary here. You may only manage to insult them. Always be friendly and polite when asking if they accept U.S. dollars and you may find that they have actually rounded the price down slightly. Just smile sweetly as you say Merci (french) or Mauruuru (tahitian) and walk away with your purchase(s).

Tahiti is a sensory experience.

As you step off the plane at Papeete’s Faa’a International Airport, the air immediately envelops you in a  warm caress. Airport greeters hand you a snowy-white tiare flower. The delicate scent of  gardenia, the national flower of Tahiti,  will be everpresent during your stay. Next, a trio of local musicians serenades you into the airport building.  This warm welcome awaits you even if you are arriving at 1 a.m. on your 8-hour direct flight from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui.

Once you have collected your luggage & cleared customs and immigration, a transportation coordinator meets you with a fresh flower lei before you are whisked off to your resort. After you arrive, the gracious front desk staff will offer you a tropical fruit punch before transferring you and your belongings to your accommodations.

This was my very first view of Tahiti after I arrived. From the elevated lobby of the Tahiti Inter-Continental Resort, you can see the horizon pool in the foreground, their on site lagoonarium in the midground (dark area), the Sea of the Moon and the rugged peaks of Moorea in the background. It simply took my breath away.

Tahiti consists of 118 islands and atolls officially known as French Polynesia.  As far south of the equator as Hawaii is north, Tahiti is halfway between California and Australia. It is in the same time zone as Hawaii and on the same side of the International Date Line as North America.

The island of Tahiti with the capital city of Papeete is part of the Society Islands archipelago along with the famous islands of  Moorea & Bora Bora. Other often-visited island groups include the Tuamotus and Marquesas.

Bienvenue to the sensual South Seas.

Tomorrow we begin exploring.