|
Quotes
...guide book "Lonely Planet Tahiti and French Polynesia". If you
want/need one, this one is good. (ed. yes)
(ed. also very good...Moon Travel "Tahiti Handbook..." by David
Stanley).
I found...just as easy to use U.S. dollars as Tahitian francs. While
I was there the exchange rate was something like $1 = 107 French Polynesian
francs. In practice the currencies are interchangeable...Just put a period
before the last two digits and you'll get the price in dollars--or else think of
the francs as cents...You'll usually get back francs in change...only time I
needed actual francs was taking Le Truck... (ed. last was $1 = 120)
..Wore culottes or slacks to dinner...cotton shirt...casual and comfortable
sun dress. A few of the ladies did like to dress up a bit more for the Grill or
Italian restaurants...no requirement, nor did I ever feel underdressed...did
take two dressier blouses. Never put them on! It's cotton, cotton and if
possible, more cotton...The humidity quickly reduces any attempts at style, and
people began dressing more casual with each passing day.
...No jackets for the guys, everybody wore sport shirts or polo shirts with
khaki or other cotton slacks.
You'll want to buy a pareu...a big rectangle of cloth that you can
wrap around yourself in various ways. All the locals wear them and many of the
passengers adopt them too. Great for covering up a swimming suit. They had a
"dress native" night during our cruise, and
most people wore them...imagine...something they do every cruise...buy them in Papeete or most
other places...central market...great selection...range from $10-20
or so...got a gorgeous one for $22. Men can wear...too. (You may be able to
find one at home, but I'd wait until you get to Tahiti...selection is
amazing.)
One of the things I like most about French Polynesia...people wear
flowers in their hair on a daily basis. You'll see someone just pulling a
hibiscus off a bush and tucking it behind her ear on the way to work. Take
advantage of the opportunity!
Take everything you believe you could need. If you do not - the chances are
you will not have it. Finding a product or substitute (Sunblock, Tylenol,
topical ointment, and so on) is near impossible, even in Papeete, which is the
big city...area is not developed...much of it's charm...no malls, no corner drug
stores. If you speak French you might fare better, but even then, everything is
imported, and is expensive. The ship's gift shop has a small variety of
medicine, film, candy, but is limited by size. After leaving Papeete, there is
not really anywhere to shop until you reach Bora Bora.
The beaches often are coral, not sand. Sharp - You will need good rubber
soled shoes for walking/snorkeling... found our fins a hindrance much of the
time so bought mesh topped shoes in the ship's gift shop for $15.00., to use in
the water. If not needed for water, then I'd think Tennis shoes would probably
work.
voit.com/37.jpg
Photo of what we call a watertight wallet, a container to carry your money and
credit cards (and ship's id/room key card) while you are diving or
snorkeling. Voit calls this a Key + Money Holder. Go to voit.com/goggles.htm
for slightly more info on this specific product. We have one about this
size and also a slightly smaller and thinner version (still large enough to
carry several credit cards and money). We prefer the smaller one, but
we're not sure if Voit has the smaller version. (Buil & Diane)
campmor.com prrfnbr=10287 SealLine Seal Pak - Small
campmor.com prrfnbr=10291
SealLine Seal Pak - Large
|
Each of our Shipstips Cruise Ship pages (links on the left of any of our
pages) generally has 1000's of mostly cruise vacation photos
per ship ...100's of Cruise Reviews per ship
... Menus,
Cruise Cams, Daily Programs, Cabin Photos,
Monthly Port Schedule, Deck Plans, 360 Virtual Tour,
Ratings, Ship Statistics, Itinerary, Drink Menus, &
or Wine Lists...and more |
More Tahiti Cruise Pages
LAX to Faaa
R3/R4
What
to Wear and Bring Last
Day Faaa to LAX
Tahiti
Moorea
Huahine
Raiatea
Bora Bora
Cabin Breakfast Order Menu
Drink Menu
Reviews
PHOTOS
Tahiti Web Sites Weather/Time
Travel Guide Books Tahiti Maps
Dive Guide
Passport/Visa Gov
Travel Advisory Currency Conversion
Gov
Travel Advisory Message
Boards
CRUISE SHIP:
Food / Wine
SPA & Workout Facilities
Tipping
Excursion & Off Ship
Entertainment
|
