We found flowers and pearls in the daytime and the food trucks in the evening
The Zuiderdam arrived in Papeete around 5 am, but we weren’t cleared to go ashore until around 8 am.
We were moored on the south pier today. Off the map to the north is the other pier where cruise ships may also moor when in Papeete. The area is under construction, and they are building new facilities – so this may all be different for future arrivals.
Note: There are two piers for cruise ships; one on the northern edge of Place Vai’ete and the other to the south. You won’t know which one you will use until you arrive. It doesn’t make any difference as they are both about the same distance from everything – but if someone told you to “turn left” at the end of the pier – then you need to make sure you have the correct starting point.
We left the ship around noon and missed the welcome band and the arrival flowers that were passed out to guests leaving earlier. It was Saturday, so the Market started to close up around noon and was completely closed by 1 pm, along with most nearby shops. If you want to maximize your Saturday Shopping Experience – get started by 10 am to have a couple of hours to visit most shops. On Sunday, the Market closes around 9 am, but double-check before you arrive.
A great day ahead in Papeete
If you didn’t have a tour booked – there were still about ten vendors selling tours along the sidewalk on the way to the market.
Plenty of last-minute tours are available. However, you can’t check the reviews in advance – so buyer beware. I haven’t heard of any bad experiences with these last-minute tours – but use your judgment.
The local tourist information center is across the street on the way to the market.
This may be a temporary location – once construction is complete – it may be closer to the piers
On the west side of the Market, there is a row of lei stands – we always enjoy picking some up – usually around $5 – $10 USD, and we can get them to last 4-5 days back on the ship.
Most of the stands sell similar leis but check them all out before you buy
We bought our leis from Bernadette
Inside the market
Judy picked up an inexpensive black pearl before everything closed up.
Judy found a nice pearl right before closing time
Today is Chinese New Year’s Eve – so there were a lot of shops decorated for the occasion.
Decorations for Chinese New Year
Most of the shops in the area were already closed by noon, but one nearby shop that remained open was H and V Boutique-Import, 6 Rue Albert Leboucher. They sell loose pearls and fabric, and other items to make clothing. The pearls are in shoebox-sized bins, arranged by price – ranging from 100 CFP (about $1 USD) to 20000 CFP (about $200 USD). The bins are inside a closed display case, and once you select a bin for closer examination, they will weigh the bin and then dump the contents on a cloth laid on the counter. After you are finished, they weigh the bin again, and if the weight is different, you may be charged for the difference. Google Translate alerted us to this practice as it was posted in French on a sign. Another reason to use Google Translate.
The pearls are in bins sorted by price
These are the $20 pearls.
This sign in French warns you that they weigh the bins of pearls – use Google Translate
This is a screenshot of the Google Translate sign above
Judy selected the 1200 CFP Bin, which weighed in at 992.8 grams, and combed thru the pile before selecting two. Having them drilled and a “finding” attached was an extra 1200 per pearl. Each pearl ended up costing 2400 CFP ready to hang on a necklace. It wasn’t obvious that this store sold pearls, as we stopped inside to look for buttons. So if you are looking for pearls – stop by H and V Boutique and check out the bulk bins – you will have a better feel for the prices before you head into the Market.
Judy is making her final selections.
We found Tim Tams at Toa City
I stopped by an ATM to get some local currency – the cost for 15,000 CFP was $138 – the price on the ship was $148 – so you would save $10 by using an ATM (assuming zero transaction fees etc.). Not a huge difference, and unless you make a large cash purchase – it may not be worth it to you. Most vendors will exchange USD at a rate of $1 per 100 CFP – so the price for 15000 CFP, in this case, would be $150.
On the way back to the ship, most restaurants were closed, and the few open shops were those selling T-Shirts.
Notre Dame Church
Inside Notre Dame Church
Every thirty days you need to complete another muster drill. As before, no more standing around and all you need to do is find your station, listen to a quick refresher brief and watch the safety video in your cabin
Papeete Roulottes
One of the highlights of a late departure is the chance to sample the Papeete Roulottes or Food Trucks. They start setting up around 5 pm in Place Vai’ete (right next to the ship) and are open for business around 6 pm. There are usually about six trucks, each with it’s own outdoor dining area, but they appear to be working together and don’t seem to mind if you buy food in one area and eat in another – but I would ask first. We had several in our group who wanted to try different items, but we still wanted to sit together – it was OK.
There were six food trucks this evening
Most food trucks have a Chinese food-style menu, but one sold hamburgers and another crepes. The food is about 1400 -1700 CFP per meal – Cash only (USD or Francs) but no credit cards, and they don’t serve beer or wine. Take your time – browse all the menus – then make your choice, find a waiter and order. You will pay after the meal, and they will not rush you along, and you will have to ask for your bill.
It’s not gourmet food, after all, it’s still a food truck – but it is a fun experience and highly recommended.
Table 89 takes its show on the road
The Spirit of Tahiti
Back on the ship, a group of local entertainers performed “The Spirit of Tahiti on the Mainstage at 7 and 9:30 pm. This is a high-energy, colorful show, with great dancing and singing. Don’t miss it!
2 Comments
Submit a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Thanks so much for this blog. We are booked on the HAL South Pacific cruise next year and I’m learning a lot from your posts. I was really interested to read your description of the process of buying pearls, including your choice and prices. Gives me a great guideline!
Local fresh flowers, food trucks and the evening show sound great too!
Thanks for the note – Glad you are enjoying the posts!