With a population of 190,000, what Tahiti lacks in wide, white-sand beaches, it makes up for in waterfall-laden, mountains, black-sand beaches, sheltered blue lagoons and a distinctly Polynesian, modern buzz. This is the heart of the islands, where the cultures from all the archipelagos are mixed in the noisy, dusty, yet smiling and energetic capital of Papeete. Sometimes given the nickname "the island of love," Tahiti is the largest city of French Polynesia and home to the capital of Papeete.
With the ship docked conveniently in the center of the city, we were able to explore this bustling city on foot.
First, we stoped at the market which fills an entire city block. Shoppers will find colorful pareu (sarongs), shell necklaces, woven hats and local produce in the main hall. Dotted among the meat and fish sellers are lunchtime hawkers selling takeaway Ma’a Tahiti (traditional Tahitian food), fresh fruit juices and local ice cream.
Although the Catholic cathedral is placed squarely in the town centre, Tahiti remains predominantly Protestant, a lasting legacy of the London Missionary Society (LMS) missionaries. The large pink Temple de Paofai makes a colourful scene on Sunday morning, when it is bursting at the seams with a devout hat-wearing congregation dressed in white and belting out soul stirring himene (hymns).
We were greeted soon after our arrival with a four-masted steel schooner which was making its way to the port during thunder squals. This Chilean training cadet vessel had its entire military band on deck playing patriotic songs in the pouring rain as it docked.
There were more than six food trucks near the dock with various types of cuisine. One the popular local favorites is fish tartare in coconut milk.
With the ship docked conveniently in the center of the city, we were able to explore this bustling city on foot.
First, we stoped at the market which fills an entire city block. Shoppers will find colorful pareu (sarongs), shell necklaces, woven hats and local produce in the main hall. Dotted among the meat and fish sellers are lunchtime hawkers selling takeaway Ma’a Tahiti (traditional Tahitian food), fresh fruit juices and local ice cream.
Although the Catholic cathedral is placed squarely in the town centre, Tahiti remains predominantly Protestant, a lasting legacy of the London Missionary Society (LMS) missionaries. The large pink Temple de Paofai makes a colourful scene on Sunday morning, when it is bursting at the seams with a devout hat-wearing congregation dressed in white and belting out soul stirring himene (hymns).
We were greeted soon after our arrival with a four-masted steel schooner which was making its way to the port during thunder squals. This Chilean training cadet vessel had its entire military band on deck playing patriotic songs in the pouring rain as it docked.
There were more than six food trucks near the dock with various types of cuisine. One the popular local favorites is fish tartare in coconut milk.
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