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.