"Wait for the end of the world ..." a Maupiti Travel Page by Madmaxx77

Maupiti is also known as Motu One.

A motu is one of the coral formed islands that surround an atoll forming the lagoon.

Maupiti has no hotels.

I decided to spend Y2K there and was the only tourist.

You can go around the island by foot in 40 minutes.

The place was selected for soem light show "a la Jean Michel Jarre" for the end of the Millennium, but nothing happened.

One can reach Maupiti by plane (the Airport is on one of the motus around the island and can only be reached by boat - Air Tahiti includes it in the ticket) or by boat both from Bora Bora. The boat goes..er.. when it goes, or it's not broken, or they get the spare part to fix it. I recommend the boat.

Things to do in Maupiti include: relaxing on the beach, climbing the hill, playing football with the kids, eating fresh watermelon and mangoes (both free on kind gift of the locals and of mother nature respectively). You can count the mango trees ....if you have a lot of time.

As all of French Polynesia it is very expensive, but I found a room with a family for about 10 Euros. (not heavenly clean). Alternatively there is one pension (70 E) with breakfast.

The nicest thing in Maupiti happens at Xmas. They have " Noel pour tous". As for Xmas, money should not count, everyone prepares a little food and on Xmas eve all the inhabitants and the tourist(s) gather for some singing and food on the main square/ post office/ boat to airport dock/ mayor's office; those who can't bring anything ( I had no oven to bake) can just show up, it Xmas for all.

The end of the world did not happen but I was in heaven anyway.

PS: for those who cannot disconnect there is a phone boot from France Telecom on the main dock - it works and I could wish Merry Xmas to those I love.