Here we are in the biggest (or one of the biggest) metropoli in the South Pacific islands, something of an inevitable magnet for cruisers on the coconut milk run. Everyone complains how expensive it is - cruisers, locals and tourists, but for Canadians who suffer the indignities of a milk marketing regime, the Carrefour is bliss. Butter (from NZ) is significantly cheaper than the local Safeway at home, as is the UHT milk (from France, Holland or NZ), and the cheese section is to die for. A quarter round of brie is about $6, and baguettes are delivered every 90 minutes or so, and the red wine (French, duh) ranges from $290 down to $7. We are, as might be expected, focusing on the lower end of the range.
Our first night in town we splurged on NZ steak, NZ spuds (Nadine's to be precise - although Canadians only know potatoes by colour, not variety), lettuce salad (something crunchy at last), a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, and lemon tart for dessert. The can opener deserved a rest anyway.
We have inspected the town, and it is an "interesting" place. Obviously many of the young French Polynesians are attracted here, and there is lots of hustle, bustle and seedy aspects to the downtown area. There is a quay for visiting boats, but as it is adjacent to the main 6 lane drag, it has limited appeal. We, by chance, scored a buoy at the Tahiti Yacht Club, and although it is a 20 minute bus ride to town, the location is preferable. Many cruisers anchor at the opposite end of town to where we are, but it is actually quite pleasant to be a way from the crowd for a while. Besides, Carrefour is only a five minute walk away.
We plan to be in town until the startof the Papeete/Moorea cruisers rally, on June 18. After Moorea we will head to some of the other Society Islands, ending up in Bora Bora for Bastille Day, July 14. From there it will be homeward bound - the long haul north via Hawaii.