Tahiti: Itineraries

A Top Day in Tahiti

One of the treats of Tahiti and Mo'orea is the just-cool-enough-to-be-refreshing lagoon; when it's hot outside, a morning swim can be better than coffee for getting that energy pumping. The islands wake up early and everyone heads to the market for fresh baguettes. I like to grab one for myself to dunk in a big cup of tea; I round off the meal with some bananas, grapefruit, mango or papaya. The Pape'ete Central Market is at its busiest in the mornings so it's a fun time to take a browse amongst the fruit, shell and pareu vendors - I always buy an ice-cold coconut at the entrance to sip on while I linger. Before the sun is too strong, I hop on the ferry to Mo'orea then take a trip up the Opunohu valley, through the archaeological sites and up to the view point where basalt spires frame the famous Cook and Opunohu Bays below. Lunch at Hauru point or Cook's Bay is followed by some decadent lounging on the beach, a swim and a snorkel. For an extra special night out, the Beachcomber Hotel in Tahiti serves a buffet on Friday nights with some of the best traditional Tahitian food around and a spectacular Tahitian dance performance. Early nights are the norm on Tahiti but every now and then it's fun to go out on the town of Pape'ete to dance till dawn. The impressively varied clubs choices here range from teeny-bop hip hop to transvestite cabaret to local Tahitian bands, and even Latin music.

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