PAPEETE

If this is just the start of my island bliss, well, i just don't know how I can go on! As the ship approached Tahiti, I couldn't help crying a little. Not sure if it made me homesick for Maui (it looked very similar) or if maybe my heart was bursting, seeing this island with my own two eyes, after longing to come here for SO long! At any rate, it was quite spectacular cruing into Papeete harbor. There was another cruise ship docked near us and the port area was bustling. It was nice to be able to just walk right off the ship and we were greeted by musicians and dancers and even a fresh flower to place behind an ear! We were right where all the action is, so we walked just a few blocks to the marketplace - called 'MARCHE MUNICIPALE'. It reminded me a bit of the 'International Marketplace' in Waikiki. There were tons of people, both locals, doing their shopping (mostly on the first floor) and the tourists shopping mostly on the 2nd floor. Downstairs there were flower stands, with tropical flowers of every color, size, smell and configuration. If you were going to a funeral, wedding or airport gretting - or even just a bag of petals to make your own lei you could find whatever your heart desired here. There were pastry (patissiere) counters, with mouth watering treats, fish stands, with their fresh catch chilling on beds of ice, and a plethora of fruits and vegetables. It was quite lively and most everyone speaking French ( Emily, I could sure use your verbal skills this week!). If someone bumped into you, it was 'pardon', or people greeting you with a friendly 'bon jour' (you MUST say these words -even in your head- with a French accent). Upstairs, we shopped for pareaus, pearls, and numerous woven crafts. Lots of carved items and jewelry and other items made out of shells. One interesting thing was that many shops had (emptied) water bottles filled with sand or different kinds of shells. I guess they were for doing your own craft thing, but it was just kind of funny because they were just used water bottles filled with the stuff.

Of course, for those who know me, you would not be surprised that I would be looking for a fabric store (as my family lets out a collective groan ;-) ), but my French-speaking skills lacking, I had a hard time finding one. Then someone says 'tissues?' and a lightbulb goes off in my head - that must be the french word for fabric, I've seen that word on patterns for years. So I am directed to the store, only to find it closed for lunch (these people really know how to live!). We are a bit hungry, so we go back to the market and head upstairs to their equivalent to a food court. I really don't want much to eat, and they have french bread cut in one inch pieces, in a large bowl, and I ask if I can buy some. The darling girl tells me I can have any I want. Then she gives me a plate of fresh fruit - pineapple, mango and banana - all gratis! I did buy a bottle of water, and mom got something to eat, but the girl was so nice and adorable and the boy in the 'kitchen' is the first in my long list of 'bruddah-licious' boys that will be making appearances on this blog - teehee!

We sit at a table and consume our goodies, while a couple of guys are singing, with a tv behind them showing pictures and videos of these beautiful Society Islands. Tiny Kona was grooving to the music and then, out of the blue, they start singing 'Hanalei Moon' - which is one of my hula songs! I was going to get up and do my hula dance for the crowd, but TK gave me stink-eye, so I decided I better save my talents for the passengers on the ship on 'talent night!

We noticed some girls getting their costumes on and figured out we were going to get some REAL dancers, so even though we were done with our food, we decided to wait and watch the show (the fabric store wouldn't be open from lunch for another 30 minutes anyway). Our table needed to be moved to the side for the dancers, and more people were coming, so we shared our table with an American guy who was from the other cruise ship. His wife was getting a tatoo, so he was just relaxing, drinking a beer (just in case you see it in one or two of the pictures, you KNOW it couldn't be mine or Tiny Kona's!). One of the highlights of cruising is meeting great people. Even though Mike and Sherry weren't on OUR ship, it was still fun to talk to them. I will be posting later about some of the people we have met on this cruise, namely our tablemates, so be on the lookout for that later. The dancers were a pleasure to watch, and maybe one of these days I can learn to do THAT with my body - hahaha.

After the girls were done shaking their hips, we headed back to the fabric store (it's near the 'BIP BIP BURGER FAST FOOD - is that a roadrunner?!). After an hour or so, we got out of there with only a couple of bags of goods. It was really fun for me as they had lots of cool stuff. Now I'm gonna have to bust out the sewing machine!

We headed back to the ship with our wares (besides the fabric, we bought a pareau, a 'haku' (lei for the crown of your head), a straw hat, REAL Tahitian vanilla beans, and some tahitian tiare oil and soaps. The traffic was getting pretty crazy as we were going back to the ship. No stoplights here, just roundabouts. Lots of cars, trucks and scooters zooming aroung. Luckily a couple of gendearmes were there to keep things moving along.

After dropping off the stuff, I decided I was going to find a way to get to the temple. I put on a skirt and decent shoes and headed out on my quest (me and TK). After talking to a number of people and not getting anywhere, I finally found a taxi driver that knew where it was. He took me straight there - it was maybe ten minutes away - and WOW! There it was, pretty much in the middle of a neighborhood. Kind of a large complex though, with a church (or two?), geneology library, mission home and offices. The front of the temple was fenced off because they are redoing the gardens, so I couldn't get the whole 'picture', but it was still beautiful - and I was THERE! Everyone was SO nice, and I wish (again) that I had French-speaking skills, but I did my best to understand the language and everyones smiles went a long way. What wonderful people, and I truly mean that!
I was given a ride back to the ship by a brother and his 2 daughters. And, of course, it's a small world as he mentions that a missionary companion he had in 1984 was someone I knew from Arizona! The beauty of the islands is so awesome, but the connections with the people are truly magical!

Before getting back on the ship I see there is some action in this large open area at the pier where there is also a bandstand. I'm not sure if this is a typical Friday ritual or not, but it was quite festive. A band was playing in the bandstand (quite good) and kids were dancing, playing tag, riding bikes, scooters and rollerblades. People were dancing and talking and chasing their munchkins around. They were all nationalities, including scores of people off the cruise ships. They had dozens of food booths selling all kinds of food. One of the pictures shows the bandstand with my ship in the background.

After 45 minutes or so, I get back aboard the ship, then grab a bite to eat and go watch the night show of Tahitian dancers (another group came onto the ship). They were excellent. Lots of costumes and beautiful girls and bruddah-licious guys. And you can't forget the drummers and musicians! After the show I went up to one of the higher decks to look out over the city and take it all in. Papeete is one of the ports we get to stay overnight in, so it's a treat to be docked and see the island at night. So as I am soaking in the twinkling lights and listening to some techno music spilling from a club a block away, I see something orange that is quite puzzling to me. As I look closer, I realize the moon is coming up over the mountains in the background of the city. It was like a half pumpkin rising over the city. It had to be one of the most spectacular moonrises I have ever witnessed! Sorry the picture doesn't do it any justice, but trust me when I say it was INCREDIBLE!

TINY KONA'S TRUISM of the day... Fletcher Christian KNEW what he was doing!

My day and evening in Papeete couldn't have been better scripted. I would have loved to stay FOREVER, but the little island, just over my shoulder about 12 miles, is calling...