"Papeete & Moorea" a Papeete Travel Page by Boomer69

Was on a flight from LAX to Auckland NZ via Air Tahiti (GREAT AIRLINE!!!) - but can't say anything good about my stay in Tahiti... Spent the 1st nite in some dump, the name escapes me right now - but is the "usual" stop over for those that catch the late flight and change planes in Papeete... "Royal something" was the name... Errr - I dunno - will research and add later... And based on some reviews here, reserved 5 days/nights at the Bali Hai in Moorea... Also a timeshare dump...! The scenery is AWESOME - but as far as "night life" and things to do... Non-existant (as I was warned by peeps here on VT)... Highlight of the trip was some scuba on Moorea and one night out with some folks from a cruise ship that had docked in Papeete... I didnt research the weather, and whilst it was sunny and 100*F every day I was there in March, it was VERY humid - even the locals were complaining.. I also was introduced to the Tahitian centipede or millipede - Still not sure what crawled into my bed (Papeete 5th floor!!!!) and bit the hell out of my leg! Still have 2 scars there 10 months later :-( Not pleasant.. And my French is a little rusty, so trying to explain what had happened to the local "Chemist" (Pharmacy/DOC) was humorous... All in all, it was "ok" - but next time will take Qantus or NZ air direct - and skip Tahiti... Beautiful place - but not worth the stop if you are traveling alone... Just my opinion... Oh the water shuttle between Papeete and Moorea is pretty cool too - about 45 mins... Better than the hassles at the airport - and for you yankees - be aware that the exchange rate for PFC vs. US$ is outragous - as are prices.. I left my deodorant in the 1st hotel - and a "stick" cost me $24 US!!!! Yikes! Good luck!