Monday, 8 Sep 2008
20+ things I learned about Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Le Meridien
1. They speak Tahitian though they are taught in French
2. When it rains it never rains for more than minutes at a time
3. The winds blow seemingly more at night (or maybe it’s random)?
4. Some fish are attracted to light
5. As of 2007 there were 8,800 residents living on Bora Bora
6. There is very little temperature fluctuation in an entire day. As of September 7, 2008 the temperature is about 78-82 degrees Farenheit throughout the entire day.
7. Many Tahitians smoke just like the French
8. There are mosquitoes here though I have never seen one (but been bitten by many).
9. It’s more expensive for an American to visit Bora Bora than to visit London, England.
10. I have yet to meet a “rich” Tahitian on Bora Bora. I don’t know where the money goes.
In fact I did not see a single luxury car on the main island. Most of the residents on the main island of Bora Bora seem pretty poor.
11. Almost all Tahitian black pearls are cultured and not natural. There are dozens of shops selling black Pearls on the main island.
12. There’s 1 place to surf in Bora Bora. It’s called “Le Passe” and it’s dangerous to get to and surf.
13. I’ve heard Portuguese, Spanish, French, English, and Japanese during my stay at Bora Bora.
14. Just as many if not more of the tourists that visit Le Meridien shoot with Nikons.
15. Food is not Le Meridien’s strong point. Le Meridien made Hummus today that was sweet and not the least bit garlicky…
16. The staff at The Four Seasons Wailea is much more courteous than the staff at Le Meridien Bora Bora.
17. All they have for English television programming here at Le Meridien is CNN. I’m sick of CNN.
18. A lot of the Tahitian residents here don’t originate from Bora Bora. My windsurfing “instructor” is originally from Papeete, Tahiti.
19. Yes there are a lot of dogs (strays) on the main island of Bora Bora. Conversely there are a lot of cats here on the resort premises (Le Meridien).
20. Bora Bora is every bit as beautiful if not more so than what you see in the pictures.
21. Although Tahiti takes after France, they drive on the right side of the road with the drivers on the left just like in the US.
22. 1 US dollar yields approximately 79 Polynesian Francs.
23. Sprint-Nextel has no reception here in Tahiti. Cingular partners with Gini or some carrier to provide service.
24. Very few locals seem to own mobile phones.
