August 2 , 2023
After a long day of travel (22 hours0 we checked into the Hilton Tahiti at about 10:30 at night and crashed.
Before dawn I was up exploring the resort and the beauty of the island! Can’t wait to get in the pool. It is slightly larger (ok really larger) than the Mountainside pool I swim in every day. The sunrise was spectacular as they always are in tropical locations!
After breakfast we walked into town (about a mile and a half) along the shoreline picking out which of the magnificent yachts belonged to us!! It is a typical island town but I discovered some heart sculptures that I found interesting and a group of musicians playing on the corner.
In the afternoon we did a private tour of the island that took us around the island on the one and only road that is blocked due to a mud slide a few days ago so we actually had to back track!! Life is not easy when the only road is blocked!
We stopped at Maraa Grotto which is a deep cave filled with water that is filtered though the rocks of the mountain.
Our next stop was Arahurahu Marae where two tikis guard the magic ancient valley temples. This ancient stone platform was used for religious ceremonies. They still hold ceremonial celebrations at the temples and you can almost image the gatherings. Yes, they did do human sacrifices!!! The guide assured me that they no longer do that…..hmmmm!!!
Faarumai Waterfalls was our next stop which as located in a small village about 20km from the center of Papeete. We had to drive though a small village as we headed to the falls trying to avoid hitting locals, chickens and stay dogs.
Then we drove a bit further to Arahoho Blowhole that is near the only tunnel on the island. The blowhole makes a sound like a whale when it is spouting water.
The lighthouse was built by Robert Lewis Stevenson’s father as a memorial to James Cook’s exploring the island of Tahiti.
The Bounty monument memorializes the mutiny that took place just off the shores of Tahiti.
A quick stop at a lookout point for a quick picture then back to the hotel for sunset.
We enjoyed a spectacular sunset sitting by the pool with a tropical drink in hand.
Then a quick dip in the pool!!
A busy first day exploring Tahiti (walked 0ver 14 miles)!
Beautiful.
Any Barbie look a likes at Tahiti Hilton? Looks fabulous!!!!!!