Around the World III

Day 16 - Tue 17 #2 Apr 07 - Tahiti

The clocks have gone forward 2hrs and back one day. I'm in seat 21D which is about half way down the first economy bit. It's an internal aisle seat, but I've got a big bloke next to me, so space is 'limited'. The flight has been a bit bumpy, not as bad as the Delhi -> HK flight. I really don't like this flying thing, and I'm going to have to limit the amount of it that I do. Even if that means taking unpaid leave, and a lot more land travel. This could be my last Around the World trip.

For the first time on this trip I've got a headache brewing, but I'm drinking lots of water - maybe it's because it's not sparkling.

Maybe container ships are my last resort? but I guess it can get pretty bumpy of those as well.

Got down in one piece, there was a lady at the entrance to the terminal building handing out flower buds. The practice is to place it behind your ear, and depending on which one you're advertising that your free or taken! Then came the collection of immigration cards, and two queues - one for EU passport holder, and the other for Non-EU holders. How weird!

Immigration control was a quick look at the passport by a policeman, and then out. They didn't even x-ray my bag. I tried to get some cash from an ATM but it was having none of it, so I changed some pounds into FPF's. I've now got a total of 4262 to last me a day on the island. The taxi to my hotel cost me 3000. That's close to Ł21 for a 15km drive, but there's no other way of getting around! The lady in reception said that the taxi should be more like 4500, so I got a bargain.

My hotel is well out of town, and is a sort of '70 chalet style with the rooms set in the gardens. I arrived just after 21:00 and the bar and restaurant was shut. I got up to the bar and managed to get a Coke (for Ł4) and fluttered my eyelashes at the lady in the restaurant and she made me a cheese sandwich. I sat by the ocean watching the waves lap up onto the beach, and a thunderstorm start offshore. So that's why the flight in was so bumpy!

It's about 80°c out there, and it's the middle of the night! I'm charging up the battery on my new camera, but there's no signal on my mobile phone.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what people do here, I guess it could be a honeymoon place?