Day 2 (March 17, 2019): Arrival in Paradise!

Yesterday's entry closed with us about to take off from Los Angeles.  It was a smooth eight-hour trip, and miraculously, thanks to a no-show, we had a whole row to ourselves on a plane that was packed to full capacity.  The service was excellent, the food was great, and we actually slept a few hours.


We touched down in Pape'ete, the capital of French Polynesia on the island of Tahiti, about 10 minutes early.  Customs was quick, our bags showed up in no time, and we were soon in a taxi, driven by a lady in her 60s clad head to toe in flowers!  We chatted in French as she drove us into central Pape'ete and dropped up at the ferry terminal. 


We had planned on taking the slow ferry to Moorea at 8:30 AM, as we never imagined making it in time for the high-speed catamaran at 7:30 AM.  But we were at the ferry just after 7 AM.  The crossing to Moorea was just amazing.  After all the planning and anticipation, we had to pinch ourselves to make sure it was all real.


Upon arrival in Moorea, the island bus was waiting, and we hopped on that to get to the hotel.  It was neat to drive with the locals and to take in all the jaw-dropping scenery as we meandered towards the hotel.  Our room wasn't ready, but they gave us a "transit room" to get showered as we waited for our room.  The friendliness of everyone we have came into contact with since landing in Pape'ete has been remarkable:  genuine and kind.


We headed straight for the beach, got a couple of seats under a palapa, and went right in the water wearing our new UV-protection t-shirts.  Most people here seem to swim with a UV-shirt and a ballcap.  The ozone is thin in the South Pacific, and you feel yourself burn very quickly.  So being clad is the only the way to spend time in the water.


Basically, it was a day of true R&R, after the long trip.  We had a nice lunch on the beach, did an afternoon walk to the dolphin facility and the sea turtle recovery centre, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants.  By 8:45 PM, we were out like a light! 


So pleased to have made it here without any issue or delay.  And totally smitten with the sheer beauty of this place.  All expectations surpassed!


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This shows our flight path from Los Angeles to Pape'ete, on the island of Tahiti.







Air France offered a sandwich snack about an hour after take-off, and this amazing hot breakfast an hour before landing.





The sun was rising as we started our descent into Tahiti.







Pam at 29 hours after leaving the house on Saturday!  Stepping off the Air France 777-200 (an amazing aircraft!) onto the tarmac at Pape'ete in Tahiti.






Tired, but excited to the see the "Welcome / Bienvenue" sign. I think French is going to come very much in handy here this week!






These French Polynesian musicians provided a welcome song as we entered the terminal building.






The "Aremeti 5" catamaran ferry from downtown Pape'ete to the island of Moorea.






We stayed out on the top deck for the entire crossing.  This is Pape'ete with its scenic backdrop of mountains as we left port.






A full view of the island of Tahiti, the largest in French Polynesia, as we sailed toward Moorea.






The stunning view of Moorea as we approached the port.






We took the local bus for the 40-minute drive from the ferry dock to the hotel.  And all along the way, the jagged peaks of Moorea teased us.  We can't wait to get a rental car tomorrow and drive around the entire island to take in all the views.






And at last -- 31 hours after leaving home, the Intercontinental Moorea Hotel on Opunohu Bay.  Everything we expected and more!





Bungalows on the water at the hotel.







The jagged peaks provide an incredible backdrop to the 10 hectares of land occupied by the Intercontinental.






The main pool with the hotel room building behind.  (We're staying in that building, versus one of the bungalows.)






At $1000+ per night, the overwater bungalows are quite swanky.






Some of the less-expensive hotel bungalows (still close to $1000 a night) on land.  Each has its own infinity pool.






The water is as warm as a bath.  However, you have to watch your step, the sea floor is littered with sea cucumbers -- sort of like giant slugs!






The hotel has a large sea turtle 'rescue' facility, with 19 injured sea turtles being nursed back to health.









The sun rises here at 6AM and sets at 6PM.  This is the view from our balcony as the day closed in on our first day in paradise.