Papeete is the bustling capital city of French Polynesia on the main island, Tahiti.

We actually sailed the 18km or so from Mo’orea to Papeete at 3 in the afternoon and arrived in Papeete at dusk.

Next morning the Papeete waterfront was just picture perfect.

Last night we had a fabulous farewell Italian dinner with Ann and Bettie, and because they had to be holed up in a hotel all day waiting for their flight home to LAX, we asked them to join our round the island Avis car drive. So after moving rooms (cabin next door would you believe!) we set off …

Belvedere Lookout “the best coastal view on Tahiti” was first stop. That’s Mo’orea across the water.

Then Venus Point, where Cook came to watch the transit of …

Then an interesting side trip into the hinterland to find this, one of three waterfalls in the jungle. (We passed on the 4 hour trek to the 985 foot monster waterfall.)

Around every turn a quiet village and a great view. Lunch was a shared baguette and local juice beside the road. Then we found the Paul Gaugin Museum … shut down and deteriorating fairly quickly by the look of it.

But adjacent was a beautiful Botanic Garden … unfortunately not enough time to explore … and also this – one of the best, cleanest examples of the little black sand beaches that occur all over the place.

The black sand is actually pristine clean, but your brain (mine, anyway) tells you its dirty … a strange feeling!

Then to a real Grotto … That’s Bettie and Ann in the background at the entrance under the drips …

Back to Papeete, a local beer (great!), and wine (not so great!) along the waterfront.

The ship didn’t leave until midnight, so after dinner we went out and joined the locals who come out with food trucks, plastic chairs and tables to create a temporary “Hawker Centre”. Jan is waiting here patiently for her perfectly delicious Crepe – butter, brown sugar and lemon, YUM … mine was banana!

More from Papeete,Tahiti …

It was a perfect morning at Belevedere Lookout … flat sea across to Mo’orea. And then after lunch, Mo’orea from a different angle across the Tahiti lagoon.

At Venus Point, the place looked kinda dirty, but its not at all. That dark brown sand plays tricks with the mind.

Then Jan and Ann stumped along this jungle path and found this waterfall.

Time for a baguette for lunch.

And then the Botanic Garden adjacent to the defunct Paul Gaugin Museum.

Near the grotto, we found this classic specimen of the tropics …

… and lots of these …

They run wild all over French Polynesia, and in the early mornings the roosters offer up the distictive morning chorus! “C’mon Henrietta, let’s get a move on!”

Back in town at dusk, we had drinks right here, looking over at the ship.

And after dinner, joined the locals eating out …