Tahiti
Salamander
Tue 10 Aug 2010 03:59
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We spent 3 weeks here, partly to go to Rapa Nui and
partly waiting for two parcels (one of which we changed to Raiatea). Like 99% of
Yachties, we never left the main Papeete area and stayed with loads of other
boats while the rest of the island has empty anchorages.
 Papeete is a little big city, full of bars and
clubs opening at 10pm. There are apparently no female prostitutes on the island,
but there is a street full of Mahu - men who are brought up or choose to be
like girls - (very convincing too).
The locals will gather around floating bars (you
wouldn't want to fall off one of these bar stools!) at the pass. Up to 200
people in party mode chill out in the shallow reef waters.
  Every day, through the main anchorage, young men
paddle up and down in early morning and late afternoon. Incredibly a 1 man local
canoe (paddled by a girl) can go as fast as our tender with a 5hp
engine. This one is very fully dressed for a local paddler.
 Tahitian hospitatility is fantastic. Free meals and
booze and never more than 2 minutes for a lift, even when we hitch-hiked at
01.45 from the airport. Expensive, but such a great, friendly
ambience.
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