#92192 - 11/08/11 12:11 PM
First trip to FP!
|
Rachel G
Junior Member
Registered: 11/08/11
Posts: 3
Loc: Kansas, USA
|
Hello!
I'm so glad I found this forum! I leave in 10 days for 3 weeks in French Polynesia and half a week in Hilo on the way home! I'm doing a cultural exchange on a pearl farm on Ahe, with half a day in Papeete on the way there, and a couple more days on my way back in early December.
I'm staying at the Fare Suisse on the way there, but I haven't booked anything on the way back. Any suggestions? Trying to be as budget minded as possible!
How much money should I plan to carry around for food? What are some activities I shouldn't miss while I'm there?
I was going to bring a couple bottles of wine as a gift for the people I'm staying with in Ahe. Are there any limits? I'm bringing one checked bag with scuba gear/clothes, a bag for my laptop, electronics, books, etc., and a small purse, though the purse can be put in the back pack. I just spent the last 7 months living out of suitcases in Alaska, dragging around ridiculous amounts of sampling gear, so I know I won't overpack with that memory firmly implanted in my mind!
Other than money, mosquito net, passport, swim suit, sunscreen, and camera, is there anything I really NEED to bring?
I'm traveling alone, but I'm not too worried about it. I would like to stay in a hostel or someplace where I could meet other budget travelers like myself on my way back!
Any recommendations, hints, or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Rachel
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92193 - 11/08/11 12:21 PM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: Rachel G]
|
Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
|
Pack bug spray, too (and bathing suits!). And a wide-brimmed hat. And travel medical insurance.
Are you set on staying on Tahiti those last two nights? You could take the ferry to Moorea and stay at the dorm at Pension Motu Iti if you'd like to see Moorea.
The amount of money you need for food? Is any food included on Ahe? I'm not sure what groceries/food you'd be able to get there or the prices. We've bought food on Moorea, Huahine, and Bora Bora. Market prices are higher than North America, but there are always some things that are reasonable (baguettes and cheese, for instance). Roulottes (like chip wagons) are a cheaper way to go for prepared food (if they're available--I know they're on Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine and Bora Bora).
I think you might be limited to 2 bottles of wine total, but they really don't check as you come in. Just don't carry several bottles out in the open.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92194 - 11/08/11 01:33 PM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: Old Wife]
|
Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
|
hi Rachel, sounds exciting! for Ahe do bring good quality sunglasses (sun reflection is enormous both on water and coral beach) and a hat of some sort and plastic shoes. For your camera make sure you have everything you'd need as it won't be available locally (xtra mem card, adapter for battery recharge or whatever). I'd take also some immodium or other med in case you're stomach has probs adapting to food.
Duty free now is allowed 2 bottles of wine and or champagne PLUS 2 bottles of hard liquor. Don't go over the limit, these days customs check for bottles there having been some traffic going on...
In Papeete the Teamo hostel would be your cheapest facility it is near the city centre, clean and safe and often has travelers from around the world. Rates are from 2500 cfp I think.
Should you decide to go over to Moorea, the ferry is around 30 us$ and cheapest lodging aruond 50 us$. Food at a diner between 5 and 15$. Beer in the shops around 2,50 $ and wine 15 us$.
Hope this helps
_________________________
* with sunshine *
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92197 - 11/08/11 03:27 PM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: Poehere]
|
Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
|
Oh, I forgot about the change to 2 wine bottles plus liquor! Wow, I have to write that down for myself. Too bad they're checking people's luggage now, but that's a generous amount anyway. I think I'm only allowed 1 bottle of liquor coming back into Canada so I wouldn't want to take more anyway ;-)
The dorm at Pension Motu Iti on Moorea is 1650 XPF. You can get half-board there, too.
Poehere (or anyone else), can you use a credit card to pay for the ferry to Moorea?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92198 - 11/08/11 04:26 PM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: Old Wife]
|
DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1878
Loc: Denver, Co.
|
OW, yes, you can use a credit card. At least last year I did. The ticket office is right across from a little cafe for coffee in the AM.
_________________________
Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92201 - 11/08/11 05:41 PM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: DenverJoe]
|
Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
|
That's depending the arrival Joe as the new Maritime building will be in use at some stage so all offices will move...
Rachel, I forgot, do take CASH to Ahe... getting money at the post office is practically impossible.
_________________________
* with sunshine *
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92203 - 11/08/11 07:15 PM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: Poehere]
|
Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
|
Thanks, Joe. I've got enough money (thanks to Patti--what a sweetie) to get from the airport to the ferry & from the ferry to CBH, but I need to charge the ferry on a credit card (or find an ATM that works for me when I arrive and I hate to rely on that).
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92204 - 11/09/11 12:46 AM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: Old Wife]
|
Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
|
Tracey....when you purchase your ferry tickets you can get round trip ones...I think are just a little bit cheaper buying them round trip than 2 sets of one ways.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92205 - 11/09/11 02:16 AM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: Patti.]
|
DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1878
Loc: Denver, Co.
|
Poehere, when is the new building scheduled to open? Do they have a date in mind yet?
_________________________
Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#92208 - 11/09/11 04:00 AM
Re: First trip to FP!
[Re: DenverJoe]
|
Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1284
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
|
Hi Rachel G and welcome to the forum. If you are a diver, then DEFINITELEY go to Moorea. If you like sharks, then GO. Great diving - great people - great diving (again) and a beautiful place on our planet. You won't regret it if you go.
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: BarbiJKM, hamara, DenverJoe, Poehere
|
6923 Members
15 Forums
10259 Topics
91469 Posts
Max Online: 118 @ 04/08/12 01:59 PM
|
|
0 registered
and 2 anonymous users online.
|
|
|
