Welcome to Papeete

We arrived in Papeete by air in the early evening of Saturday, July 3 and would not board the ship until Tuesday, July 6. From our base at the Intercontinental we explored Tahiti’s modern capital, visiting the Municipal Market, a covered tin-roof market.  A highlight for me was visiting the nearby Tahiti Pearl Market where I bought a black pearl for myself and also one for each daughter and my granddaughter.

Just outside the Municipal Market I stopped at a vendor selling straw goods. Inside the market, fruits, vegetables, flowers and fresh fish were in abundance. A produce vendor catches our attention, not only for her produce display, but also for the large tattoos on her upper back.

Produce Vendor with a large tattoo.

We wandered into a large tent where Tahitian matrons were gathered around several large tables, working on bedspreads. The patterns were colorful and gay. Most of the women wore flower crowns.

Tahitian matrons working on bedspreads
Jagged Peaks of Moorea
From the dining area at the Intercontinental, Carol captured the jagged peaks of Moorea, 11 miles across the sea. Sunsets
We never tired of the sunsets. First Evening Meet Up
First evening meeting up: Judith with Bob Stephens, Nina Whiddon (seated), and Diane Trisdale (standing).
Produce Market Produce Market
Produce Market Produce Market
Tahitian matrons working on bedspreads
 Tahitian matrons working on bedspreads
 Tahitian matrons working on bedspreads