{"id":286,"date":"2014-06-25T04:16:53","date_gmt":"2014-06-25T04:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/tahitis-top-5-mainland-must-dos\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:19:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:19:39","slug":"tahiti-top-five-mainland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/tahiti-top-five-mainland\/","title":{"rendered":"Tahiti’s top 5 mainland must-do\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"

When travelling to Tahiti<\/a> from Australia, the flight schedule makes a layover in Papeete a good idea. The mainland is vast \u2013 it takes a day to travel around the island \u2013 so here\u2019s the top 5 mainland must-do\u2019s on your Papeete<\/a> pit stop.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0March\u00e9 de Pape’ete<\/h2>\n

The public market is literally the heart of the city. Located one block back from Papeete\u2019s busy port, this is a great place to experience authentic day-to-day living in the island city.<\/p>\n

On the ground floor you\u2019ll find food of every kind \u2013 fresh fruit, fish mongers, patisseries (they make a mean chocolate \u00e9clair) and coconut stalls. The produce is inexpensive \u2013 you can eat like a king for about $AU20.<\/p>\n

Upstairs is the place to buy your Tahitian memorabilia and trinkets. Flower crowns, dancing dolls, Monoi oil, woven beach bags \u2013 there\u2019s a huge selection at reasonable prices.<\/p>\n

Le March\u00e9 is open daily from 7.30 am to 6.00 pm (Sundays until 9 am)<\/p>\n

2. Try The Local Ice Cream<\/h2>\n

Ice cream in Papeete is a Big Deal. There\u2019s a vendor on every street corner with each providore offering interesting variations on the famous treat. Available in both cr\u00e8me (ice cream) or glace (sorbet), my favourite flavours are coconut, salted caramel and Tahitian vanilla.<\/p>\n

At $AU2 for a cone \u2013 you will not be able to stop at one.<\/p>\n

3. Buy A Black Pearl<\/h2>\n

Tahiti is famous for its black pearls and Papeete is the place to buy one. The family-owned and operated Tahiti Pearl Market (23 rue Colette, Papeete) sells loose pearls and will whip them into a setting of your choice within hours (so you can do this in one day). Also well regarded is the Robert Wan Pearl Museum (Boulevard Pomare, Papeete). This place provides the full experience \u2013 you can learn about the history of farming and harvesting the precious gem and then shop up a storm.
\n<\/p>\n

4. See A Polynesian Dance Show<\/h2>\n

It may sound like a touristy thing to do but I\u2019m telling you, these people know how to put on a show. If you\u2019re travelling with kids then a dance experience is essential. All the main resorts stage terrific shows at least once a week but my pick is Friday nights at Le Meridien. Book a table for dinner at the open air La Plantation Restaurant and prepare to be blown away.<\/p>\n

5. Stock Up On Miracle Cream.<\/h2>\n

Whenever I travel, I always include a quick visit to the local pharmacy. You never know what jewels you\u2019ll find. Tahiti is packed with great beauty buys but there are three stand-outs.
\n1) Tamanu Balm: This is truly magic stuff. I had a bad burn from the oven when I arrived and within 48 hours this cream made it heal. It seems to work on everything from mosquito bites to bruises.
\n2) Monoi Oil: An infused perfume-oil made from soaking the petals of Tahitian gardenias in a semi-wax coconut oil. You\u2019ll smell amazing for the rest of your life.
\n3) Glitter Oil: There are a multitude of brands of oil infused with sparkly glitter. Show me a woman who doesn\u2019t want that\u2026? This stuff makes you smell of coconuts and your skin gleam like a mirror ball. I bought ten bottles (five different brands) for around $AU12 each.<\/p>\n

Where To Stay:<\/h2>\n

When I\u2019m overnighting in a city the most important things for me are a comfortable bed, wi-fi and proximity to the transfers.\u00a0Le Meridien Tahiti<\/a>\u00a0covers all these bases with the added benefits of a beautiful beach and lagoon pool, three restaurants and late night room service. The hotel is family friendly but I suggest booking a room on the side of the property. Rooms in the main section get a lot of noise from the lobby.<\/p>\n

Paula travelled with the assistance of Tahiti Tourism and Expedia. Check out\u00a0Tahiti Now<\/a>\u00a0for more info.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When travelling to Tahiti from Australia, the flight schedule makes a layover in Papeete a good idea. Here\u2019s 5 mainland must-do\u2019s on your Papeete pit stop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,2,3,14,7,74],"tags":[58],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-destination","category-experiences","category-explore","category-interests","category-oceania","category-shopping","tag-tips","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Top 5 Mainland Must Dos in Tahiti | Expedia.com.au<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When travelling to Tahiti from Australia, the flight schedule makes a layover in Papeete a good idea. 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