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Daraius at Venus Point in Papeete
- Introduction
- Planning
- A Bad Start & a Few Hours in Los Angeles
- Air France Lounge – Los Angeles
- Air France Business Class – Los Angeles to Papeete
- Getting to Moorea
- Hilton Moorea
- Hilton Moorea, Panoramic Overwater Bungalow #87
- An ATV Tour in Moorea
- Whale & Dolphin Watching in Moorea
- Eating in Moorea
- Moorea to Bora Bora
- Bora Bora Airport To InterContinental Thalasso
- Emerald Overwater Bungalow #204 at the InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora
- Jet-Skiing in Bora Bora
- A 9 Hour Bike Ride Around Bora Bora
- Eating in the InterContinental Thalasso
- InterContinental Thalasso Coral Garden Suite
- Around the InterContinental Thalasso
- Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort
- Royal Overwater Villa, Hilton Bora Bora Nui
- Dinner at Villa Mahana
- Eating in the Hilton Bora Bora
- Is Food Expensive in Bora Bora?
- A Day in Papeete
- Air Tahiti Nui and Southwest Flights Home
- Conclusion & Blog Giveaway!
On our last day in French Polynesia, Daraius and I took the the ~$7 shuttle from the Hilton to Vaitape and then took the free Air Tahiti boat to the airport. This was about $90 cheaper than the direct airport transfer from the Hilton. The Hilton took our luggage to the airport for us on their boat and left it at the Hilton counter at the airport ready to be picked up by us.
After we arrived at the airport, we got some lunch, but missed getting the good seats on the right side of the plane.
The flight was short from Bora Bora to Papeete, Tahiti, and Daraius had booked a car through Avis since we had a 10 hour layover. We waited at the Avis counter for around 30 minutes since no one was at the counter, and we started inquiring with the other agencies (Hertz, Europcar, etc) on their rates and availability.
By then the Avis rep showed up so we continued with our reservation.
Our Rental Car
We drove to Cash and Carry, a big supermarket ~5 minutes drive from the airport.
Emily Outside Cash & Carry
We love browsing through foreign stores, but wondered how folks check out the bicycles before buying them!
Apples & Bicycles
Cash & Carry was like a regular supermarket and had an assortment of European and American goods together as well as lower prices on Tahitian local products and souvenirs. We stocked up on more souvenirs since the prices were so good. I’m a huge fan of the Monoi Tiki Tahiti body oils.
Cash & Carry
We then drove to the city market (marche municipal) and looked around.
Outside the City Market
It was a nice market but most of the shops had closed by the time we arrived.
Papeete Roulottes
We did get a few things to bring back that we didn’t find in the supermarket.
Lots of Colors
After that, we drove to Venus Point and watched the sunset.
Sunset at Venus Point
There were lots of families laying by the beach, listening to music on the boomboxes, and playing soccer.
Our Last Sunset in Paradise
It was a gorgeous view with the sea and mountains. We also saw the lighthouse…
Lighthouse
..and the memorial to the descendents of the HMS Bounty.
HMS Bounty Memorial
After Venus Point, we went to the outdoor food stalls, or roulottes.
Papeete Roulottes
…and checked out the menus of the various food trucks.
Papeete Roulottes Menu
The food was reasonably priced at about 1,100 XOF (~$12) per entree, but was more expensive than I thought.
Papeete Roulottes Menu
There were crepes…
Creperie
And lots of food with Chinese and Asian food.
Behind The Scenes
It was so nice seeing all of the families there with their children so excited to be eating out.
Family Dining
The place had a real community feel to it and there was lovely live music as well. To our surprise, we ran into blogger Bart Lapers at the roulottes!
Daraius decided on some fish curry and a fish kebab for dinner. I had some Powerbars waiting for me in the car since it was too risky for me to eat because of my fish allergy.
Fish for Dinner
Most places had just one pan, fryer, or grill for cooking food and there was fish all over the menus, so the risk of cross contamination was high.
One Grill
After dinner we drove back to the airport, sad that we couldn’t spend more time in French Polynesia.
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I have earned and redeemed millions of airline miles and hotel points to travel the world for free. Now I'm blogging to help more people do the same! 
I really do like you blog, but holy cow this is the longest trip report ever, and a little bit of an over kill.
Is it just me or is this the longest honeymoon ever? Let’s move on!
Are bow ties expensive in Bora Bora?
Thanks for sharing Emily!
Thanks for sharing the details,Daraius. Its sure is helpful,ignore the ungrateful comments.
I personally don’t think it is too long of a trip report. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
You should create an Instagram for your travels. Unless you already have one!
I find it interesting because it is somewhere I am thinking of going. So good job on the trip report.
I find this very useful too because I’d like to plan a trip there. Keep up the great trip reports, Daraius!
I might go there too, one day. Great post.
It is great to see a travel blog that shows more than just airlines, airline lounges, and hotels. This is truly traveling and immersing in the culture of the country. Bravo to you sir!
After reading the other travel blogs, I feel they all show the same thing: first class air travel and food and 5 star hotel rooms and food. This breaks the monotony.
Does Emily have a fish allergy?
Usually I am more interested in Mileage earning strategies. Pics and what we did articles are nice but we usually cut our own path.
I agree; trip reports from sundry first classes are a dime a dozen. An in depth report that explores local culture, logistics, and offers fun details from a young couple in love is far more valuable and a break from the monotony of first class seat after first class seat. I say keep going with these excellent long-form reports.
Please go to Zanzibar for a future anniversary and let us know what you think. Was there over 15 years ago and would love to see a FF blogger there.
Another great thing about these reports are the photos. Images rock.
Yawnn…
I happen to like seeing stuff like this, it gives me an idea of what my wife and I could do on our second honeymoon lol Haters will always hate. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to read it.
Thanks everyone for your feedback!
I’ve been planning our honeymoon to Moorea and Bora Bora for May and your trip report has been extremely helpful. Thank you for the detailed posts, abundant pictures, and travel tips!
@Just curious– Yes, I do have a fish allergy so I have to be extra careful with the food I eat, especially when we travel.
Daraius, how long do you think it is enough to explore Papeete? I have a choice of flight from BoraBora to PPT at either 9:45am or 12:30pm? And my flight away from PPT is at 12am midnight. Do you think 1pm – 9pm is enough to drive around the island?
Thanks!
@B – Congratulations and safe & happy travels!
@Wing – You won’t be able to drive around the entire island from 1 to 9:00 pm, but it may be enough time to grab a meal, see the markets etc.
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I loved reading this! Thank you for the documented trip reports!
We’re planning a trip and I’m a researcher so this is perfect.
.Your blog is extremely helpful. Im just about to book our trip to Hilton moorea & the fact you’ve gone to so much effort with documenting everything with pictures as well is saving me alot of time. Your blog has given me all the right info to go well prepared. Thanky
@RE @Shae – Thanks for the kind words and safe travels!