Pam and I are staying in a multi bedroom house and not staying at the Pearl Resort. We did however walk down about 600 meters to have a look around and have a beer.

The resort has a nice entrance way – above the local road. It is quite compact compared to some resorts we have seen and been at.

It seems quite quiet when we were there – not a lot of people – maybe 20 – this was about 3pm on a Saturday afternoon so maybe people were out doing tours.

There is a nice infinity pool which overlooks the “over the water bungalows” so not really an ocean view.

Out thoughts of the over water bungeloes left us glad we did not book one but then we did not see inside them. It just appeared cramped with a small beach (again no real view of the ocean) and the pool.

We looked around and then decided to have a beer.

The price of beer was 450 francs for the same 330ml bottle of Hinano that is about 219 at the local shop. About normal and what we would expect.

After a beer we decided to head back to our house – we are going to go back for lunch (“Today – Monday”) and see what there food is like.

The local shop seems to have most things you would want to buy without being  a large super market. It has fresh Tuna, and meats and lots of frozen products. Most of the vegetables are so so – obviously get in while they are fresh!

The Opening Hours

• Monday to Saturday – Open between 6am and 12pm, closed between 12pm and 2:30pm and then open again between 2:30pm and 6:30pm
• Sunday – 5:30am to 8am

Some prices:

• Can of Tonic Water – 133 Francs
• 1.5 Litre of Coke – 399 Francs
• Bottle of wine – 1800-4000 francs
• Lettuce bag of 2-3 heads – 300 francs
• 1/2 dozen eggs – 225 francs
• Baguette – 53 francs
• Tomato's  - 520 francs / kg
• Brie – slice – 1399 francs / kg
• Merci Chef – Camembert – 312 francs / 240 grams
• Beer – 219 francs 330ml, 233 francs + 60 francs for the bottle – 500 ml
• Duck Breast Frozen – 880 francs / 350gram

At the time that Pam and I travelled (September 2012) to Tahiti:

• 100 French Pacific Franc (XPF) was about $1.33 NZD
• 100 NZD was about 7,520 French Pacific Franc (XPF)

The local shop – closed at the time.

We arrived after a 10 minute flight from Papeete – basically took off and after a couple of minutes – we hear that we should prepare for landing – tray tables away etc…

We had arranged for a local taxi to take us to the house which is only about 4.5 km from the airport so after picking up our luggage we were off.

This time we knew the price – also 2000 francs but at least we were going 9 times the distance and they were waiting for us.

The view is amazing from the back yard across the ocean, the house is older and quite rustic. Not too big to feel all alone since it can sleep 10.

The back yard is full of holes from crabs that burrow under the ground and hang out waiting for nightfall or at least when it is cooler.

Some of the holes are small and some quite large – not sure I want to see what comes out of the larger hole but then maybe he could become a meal for me?

We arrived after the very short (although hot) walk from the airport to the Tahiti Airport Motel and had to wait to check in. A few minutes  relaxing was good.

I checked in and was told that breakfast was included and to come back and get a tray in the morning (sounds like a Prison)

We were staying in Room 209 which was situated on the side of the hotel – We had to walk around and up the back and then we were at the room level – no steps but a driveway that rose up a few times.

We go to the corridor (1:30am) and it was dark – could not find a light switch so navigated down the corridor in the darkness.

I found a room 213 so we went to far but could not see anything. Luckily I had a small torch on my key ring which I put into my computer bag so I found that after a few seconds and then we were in the room.

The room was very basic but also very clean.

I did not take a photo of the room which I guess I should have.

From memory it cost 13753 francs – or about $180 NZD which is quite expensive for a very basic room but we are in Tahiti.

We woke and went down for breakfast before a shower – breakfast was a plate with a croissant each and a bread roll + butter + a box of puffed rice .

Overall pretty basic but then we only needed something before our travel to Moorea.

The view from the balcony of the motel.

We had a busy morning taking the Cats & Dogs to the Cattery and the Kennals. Then we had an hour or two before Rebecca picked us up and drove us to the airport which was very nice of her.

Our flight from Christchurch to Auckland was at 1:30pm which got into Auckland not long later at about 2:3pm, our flight to Tahiti was at 5pm so we walked between the Domestic and International terminals – pretty standard procedure.

When it was time to board we noticed that a majority of the staff on the flight were French – we were flying Air New Zealand and even some of the menus in the on board entertainment system were in French.

The plane was good with a 2-3-2 configuration which meant that we had a pair of seats without that extra third seat in the way.

The flight is quite quick as we are only travelling about 4000 km and took just on 5 hours.

The entertainment on board was quite limited with about 20 movies with most being quite old and only 1 or 2 recent movies not that it mattered.

Upon arrival in Tahiti you are welcomed with traditional music just before immigration even though it was after midnight which was a nice touch.

A quick stop to get our passport stamped and we were off to pick up our bags.

I bought with me from NZ some herbs and spices since we did not know what was available in our house and I also cut some fresh Thyme, Parsley, and Tarragon so we decided to declare these. We told the man what we had and he just said to move on.

They did not scan our bags and we exited the terminal.

Pam was keen to get taxi to the hotel and I was happy enough with the idea even though it was only 500  meters. Well that was until we found the taxi rank and the guy wanted 2000 francs to drive us there.

Now this was a joke – we could see the hotel from his taxi stand. 2000 Francs is $26NZD

I was not happy to pay this even though I knew it was an expensive place but this was a rip off.

So I caved in and said to Pam OK.

I put my bag in his boot but the man said no and went to find another couple and he refused to take us. Bloody good of him as it was less than a 2 minute walk!

I did not take any photo’s that evening but I did the next morning.

From the balcony at the motel – see the airport is right in front of you!

The first photo below is taken just after the lamppost in the above photo and over 1 road.

The second photo (right) is 180 degrees behind the first photo (left) and the top of the photo shows the airport car park.

$26 NZD to drive us there (and what's the bet he would have left us at the bottom of the driveway) where that vehicle is in the left photo above. What a wanker.

http://www.tahitibeachhouse.com/

View from the ocean and beach toward the home.	View from the side of the home
Gorgeous view!	Beautiful ocean view from the home! Spacious beachfront yard with palms!
Spacious deck is excellent for outside dining!	Fabulous gardens surround the home!
Beautifully designed with high ceilings, wood floors, and many windows w/ views!	Very warm home with lots of color and excellent lighting!
Tons of seating and bedding throughout make it comfortable for larger groups!	Beautiful hardwood floors and high ceilings!
One of two ocean view dining area's!	View from the spacious full kitchen!
Nice view from the kitchen dining area toward the kitchen and living area's.	Nicely designed bedrooms with hardwood floors!
Very spacious and beautifully designed baths!	Three kings in the bedrooms, and 1 king with a queen in the loft.

http://www.tahitibeachhouse.com/