Well I missed dinner last night – sleeping like a baby in a bed that rocks gently from side to side. The rest of yesterday was taken up with information and eating! Apparently a gain of 5kg is about right. See reference to baby whales above. This morning we have been to Fakarava – an idyllic looking lagoon island. Swam in the lagoon – didn’t … Continue reading Aranui day 2

So we got here early today. We have had a welcoming dance from a lot of muscular young men with tattoos, lifeboat drill and a 3 course lunch (more purple mash) and are heading off from Tahiti in a northerly direction (possibly). Now the Wi-fi is efficient but v expensive so I have to make this short and sweet. There is a dance class this … Continue reading Aranui day 1

So, I decide to do whale watching this morning. Pack up me stuff, bright and early outside the hotel at 7.15. Get to the port and a woman hands me a wetsuit. No, I’m not going diving (they also do diving trips). Oh no, it’s for the whales. Erk? No one told me and I haven’t brought my swimming costume. Turns out, if you go … Continue reading Whale watching

God it’s hot! Today I have been to Papeete (the capital) on the bus and had a bit of a wander. Although no one here appears to be wealthy, there must be some money about. Sotheby’s estate agents, not seen since California, many yachts and lots of shops selling pearls. Haven’t seen any floating gin palaces yet but there’s probably a separate harbour for them. … Continue reading Tahiti today

Well today I have been on a trip round the interior of the island by 4 wheel drive truck thing. It is basically an ancient volcanic caldera that blew its top off years ago. Vertical forests, mainly consisting of plants one buys in polite pots at the garden centre, hoping they won’t die in the winter. These versions are just 40 feet tall. I thought … Continue reading Today in Tahiti

for the birthday wishes. As I am 11 hours behind the UK, am about to get up and face French conversation over breakfast. Continue reading Thanks …

The over sea rooms are at the 5 star hotel up the road…. Continue reading As you imagined Tahiti to be

Lunch by the harbour. Please note purple sweet potato mash! Turtle in the harbour. Random horse on the cliff. Moai in the quarry. Their fronts were carved lying down then they were slid down to go into these holes where the backs were carved. At least 2/3 of each of these in underground. Tahai- remains of village with 3 platforms, moai put back up, chicken … Continue reading Easter Island – the pictures

As I am now in a hotel in Tahiti which appears to have vaguely working internet, I will try to put all of Easter Island in one go. I will add some photos in a following post so at least you can read this if the photos get stuck. Leaving Tahiti at 3am to go to Easter Island was made slightly chaotic by the fact … Continue reading Easter Island – a summary

I’m afraid the internet access here is v v bad so no posting. I am not even going to try photos. Place is v small and kind. As many tourists as residents. Will put more detail and photos once I can find decent internet. Continue reading Easter Island 2