Adventure Magazine Feb 2020

TAHITI
What
makes a destination is the people and the
Tahitian people have been welcoming visitors to their
islands since Captain Blyth. Tahitians are proud of their
cultural heritage. They love to celebrate their customs
through artwork, song, and dance. They are warm spirited.
As a people they possess an innocent and carefree spirit.
Their philosophy, aita pea pea, which means, "not to worry,"
is truly the Tahitian way of life. Tahiti is a water culture;
everyone surfs, paddleboards, sails or Va’a (outrigger
kayak). The lagoons are safe and protected from wind and
waves, but if you are looking for surf on the other side of the
reef you'll find some of the best waves in the world.
Get a tattoo
Tattoo – is originally derived from the Tahitian
word Tatau, it was an art form to express identity
and personality. Nearly everyone you meet in
Tahiti has a tattoo; some have deep meaning
some just for show. If you are thinking of getting
a tattoo, Tahiti is the place to get it. Allow the
tattooist to help design your tattoo, don’t go
in with a dolphin and ask to have it on your
ankle. There are several well-known tattooists in
Pape’ete. I suggest you book in advance or as
soon as you arrive - don’t wait till the last day to
book because you won’t get in. However, have
your tattoo late in your vacation you can’t get it
wet and will need to keep it out of the sun.
ESCAPE!
Eat at the Roulottes
At night, just on dark ,there emerges a range
of foods trucks called roulotte. These are not just
street vendors, these are legitimate places to
eat and you will note that some are very full of
locals. The trick to choosing the right one, like all
restaurants, go where the locals go. The average
meal price is around NZ$20.00.
Eat at the Blue Banana
I am not a great ‘foodie’ but there is one
restaurant in Tahiti called The Blue Banana, it is
on the edge of the lagoon just up the road from
the Manava hotel. The staff are great, the view is
awesome but the food is amazing, don’t look at
the menu, take my advice just order the "Raw Fish
Three Ways". It is superb, if you don’t like raw fish
you are in the wrong country.
Visit Teahupoo
Even if you do not surf go to Teahupoo. It
is about an hour’s drive from the main city of
Pape'ete (the road is crazy so take care). It’s
called the end of the road for a reason, it’s the
end of the road, but just before you get to the
township of Teahupoo there is a small marina
on the right hand side. If you pull in, there
will be a marine taxi that will take you out to
the surf break. As long as it is not crazy windy
there will be people surfing and if you are lucky
enough to see it on a big day just watching
people surf Teahupoo is an experience you will
not forget.
Get out on the water
Wherever you go in Tahiti there is water
everywhere and most hotels have sports
equipment for hire from paddleboards to jet
skis. This type of equipment is expensive in
Tahiti so make sure that you are well insured
just in case. Stay well within the lagoon - don’t
be tempted to head to the pass without a guide
- the current is strong and you’ll be outside the
lagoon before you know it.
Swim and feed the Stingray
I know if sounds a bit ho hum, but in Tahiti
it is taken to a new level. The closest places
to do it in the main island is Moorea which is
about 30 mins by boat. They have special ray
feeding tours which you can join or simply hire a
paddleboard and paddle out yourself. You get in
the water with the stingray and they approach
for food. It is a rare and uncomfortable feeling
to be groped by a stingray but it’s an experience
special to Tahiti.
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