We started the tour today. First thing was to meet the rest of the group, who arrived last night while we were out for dinner - two American couples, and another single lady. We total 10, and for the first time in our travels with Adventures Abroad Canadians are in the minority (4).
We also met our local guide Gerald, and our driver Koki (cookie), and set off for the day in a minibus.
We went into Papeete and looked around the flower market. There were lots of pre-made arrangements that people were buying today, as it is a countrywide holiday, when they all visit the cemeteries and remember and honour their family members who have died. We passed a few cemeteries during the day and they were taking their tradition very seriously.
We continued on, and circled the island passing through small villages, with traditional houses, shops, schools etc. Most of the interior has dense vegetation so everything is not far from the coast road. Our first stop was at the Arahurahu Marae, a sacred place (ancient temple or meeting place).
Next we stopped for lunch, then continued on to the Spring Garden of Vaipahi, where there are over 75 different species of plants, most we didn’t recognize. It was a lovely spot with water features including water lilies. Apparently couples often come here for their wedding photos to be taken.
Next we stopped at Vaimahuta waterfall which drops 300 feet, then continued on to Venus Point, the location of several landings by European navigators, named by James Cook. There was a small monument commemorating James Cook, another commemorating The Bounty and an 1867 lighthouse. We also stopped at a viewpoint by the sea with a blowhole - for those brave enough, you sit on a stone seat, the pressure builds, the sound roars, and you suddenly get hit by a force of air. This time of year, luckily it isn’t water too!
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