Tahiti : inland vegetation

[Deleted]

I've been to Tahiti twice and enjoyed it, but I didn't really feel that it lived up to its reputation as an island paradise. I had already seen better beaches, more crystalline water and zillions of amazing tropical fish in the Indian Ocean.

However, one time I rented a car and drove inland. It was extremely tranquil and lush and clearly did not interest most of the visitors to Polynesia.

I took a number of photos of the flowers growing in the rain forest.







They were not really spectacular, but the atmosphere in the undergrowth of the forest made me appreciate the island more than any of the coastline ever did.

A couple of plants were standouts, though.





Back in town, it was business as usual. Those who think that Papeete is a calm village are in for a shock.



However, I did enjoy going down to the port at sunset.



Most of my holiday was spent in Bora Bora, which corresponds more to one's image of a small island haven. Here is what you see when you approach the main town of Vaitape.



The people were very friendly, but I suspect that some of them were decorated for the benefit of the tourists.



I suppose I'll go back some day, but probably just as a stopover on my way to some other Pacific location that I haven't seen yet.

[spindrift]

Where would you visit next? Samoa? Cook Islands? elsewhere?

and

would you fly via the States or New Zealand?

[bixaorellana]

Oh ~ that photo of Papeete is a shock!

Some beautiful pictures there, K ~ I particularly enjoyed the port at sunset and the King Kongish island of Bora Bora, but the last one in the flower series knocked my socks off.

[Deleted]

Mar 18, 2009 22:27:27 GMT spindrift said:

Where would you visit next? Samoa? Cook Islands? elsewhere?

and

would you fly via the States or New Zealand?

I need to see Rapa Nui (Easter Island) some day. I suppose I'll get to the Marquesas sooner or later. Samoa and the Cook Islands, why not? But I think that both of those places live totally off imported goods from their colonial powers. (Yes, that is certainly true of Rapa Nui as well... and French Polynesia to a certain extent, although local products are slowly being created. Apparently in recent years they have even found a variety of grape that will grow there, and there are now vineyards.)

From Europe, most places are more easily reached via the United States. For the Cook Islands, probably the best route is across Asia and via NZ.

[spindrift]

I'm presently getting fed up with doing nothing; Maurice, my trekking companion, won't get round to finalizing travelling arrangements with me...and I'm thinking of taking off somewhere by myself. I looked on LP TT at Samoa...but find there's a lot of dispute on the board about excessive thieving in Samoa..and it's quite put me off. Nevertheless I'd like to go there and wander round the two main islands.