Around our Hotel in Papeete

We originally arrive at our hotel, the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, located between the airport and Papeete, as the sun sets and look across the grounds at Moorea across the channel.

Moorea across the way

Sun setting over Moorea

We wander over to the hotel pool area where a band is playing by the Maeva ("Welcome") sign.  Our first Tahitian word.

Welcome at the hotel

We have a special dinner reservation in Papeete at L'o à la Bouche to celebrate the trip and a birthday:  foie gras à la vanille Tahitienne/confit pommes abricot/brioche toastée, carpaccio de thon rouge, and escargot to start, followed by margret de canard au miel, mahi mahi à la vanille Tahitienne/coco, and thon mi cuit/sésame/salsa exotique/caramel de soja.  All really good, but large portions.

Dinner

The next day, we explore our hotel before heading over to the port to find our ship.

Moorea in the distance

Around the hotel

One last look from our room and then we're off to the ship to depart toward our first stop in Fakarava, in the Tuamotu Archipelago north of our current location in the Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Huahine).

Last look from the hotel

Continuing to Wander in Papeete, Tahiti

We walk through Papeete to the Municipal Market (Mapura a Paraita).  Originally a simple food market, it has evolved into a colorful landmark in the center of the city, selling fruit, vegetables, fish, pareos, jewelry, handicrafts, and art from all of the five archipelagos of French Polynesia.

Entrance to the market

We enter and wander.

In the market

Leaving the market, we pass the Catholic Cathedral (closed for renovation) and continue on to the charming Bougainville Park, before cross the boulevard back to the Paofai Gardens along the harbor, looking for lunch.

Cathedral

Art along the way

Parc Bougainville

We find a small restaurant jutting out in the harbor and watch the ships and ferries to the other islands go by as we dine on tuna carpaccio with ginger dressing (carpaccio de thon au rea) and tuna tartar with pesto dressing (tartare de thon pesto).

Restaurant

View from our table

Lunch

After lunch, we continue along the harbor until we have to cross the boulevard to get back to our hotel.

Crossing the boulevard

We return to our hotel to enjoy the grounds before embarking on our cruise the next day.