Seattle-LAX-Papeete, Tahiti
A wonderful Christmas with the family and a busy morning. A quick unexpected trip to the pet hospital for Kimo, wonderful friends from California coming by for a visit and getting our house sitter situated made things a bit crazy. Out the door by 1:00 to make our way to the airport and onto Tahiti!
To be noted, the amount we get to pack seems to be getting less and less. We used to each get our own carry on. This time around we packed a total of 2 carry on bags with clothes, 1 carry on with all of our snorkel gear and 3 school size backpacks.
It seemed everyone and their brother were at the airport. Of course our flight was delayed which disconnected our connection and had us standing by for flights. Of course, we were notified of the delay just minutes from arriving at the airport. After being on two standby lists that we didn't make, we made it out on a flight 3hr later.
Landed at LAX with just enough time to grab a quick dinner and board our overnight Air France Flight to Papeete, Tahiti. Hudson keeps cracking up because we see AF everywhere. A glimpse of a 12 year old boys mind. :-)
Flight from LA to Papeete was just over eight hours and across the equator, yet only 2 hour time difference. Tack on the time at SeaTac, customs, getting a rental car and driving the hour to our house. It has been a 20 hour day.
We have this fun Gilligan's island type place located on the isthmus of the island. It is private and right on a quiet bay, total open air style with a plung pool and giant hermit crabs that make their presence know. The place is called Villa Mitirapa Villa D'Hote.
All of us are starving and made a quick trip to the grocery store to get an early lunch and some snacks. Everyone walks or rides their bikes with what seems to be two baguettes. We didn't understand until we bought one - yes obviously the new kids in town only buying one. They are only $.50 and are amazing. Perfect texture, color and taste!
Tomorrow we will be buying two! We are in this tiny little town and the grocery store is amazing, very French - which of course makes sense, but seems completely out of place since we are on this dense, jungle island. Our phone charger broke and there is only one to be found for $40. Chips are $5.50 for a bag yet you can buy lots of amazing cheeses for $2.50 and 5 chocolate croissants for $4.00. Seafood is stunning - came home with tuna sashimi, lots of different salumi and olives. So many baguettes and a crepe making machine! Who doesn't love that!? Enjoyed a tasty little picnic at our beach.
Kids went kayaking and found a great rope swing that they put to great use. Andy and I snuck in a nap. So tired! I'm getting too old for red eyes.
Got our act together and drove down the road for dinner. Found a cute little place that is built around a food truck. Lots of tables, Christmas light and foliage outside along the road. Dinner was great!
One of the biggest things on this trip that has surprised me is the language barrier. Everywhere we have ever traveled there has been a bit of English here and there, but not here. Not even menus.
Came back to the house and enjoyed our fresh made crepes with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream!
Going to sleep hard tonight!
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