Papeete, Tahiti

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Big city life

20 June 2003, Friday - We arrived in the big city of Papeete, Tahiti! We arrived a day earlier than expected. We assumed a 3 night passage and it only took 2! The boat we were traveling with, Merlin's Magic, is still out there tonight. We are happy to be tied up to the quay, a long concrete seawall.

It is bizarre to be surrounded by big city lights and sounds after so many months without. The city is thriving around us. Apparently, the Miss Tahiti contest is taking place somewhere tonight. So many sounds!!! Very odd after atoll life. I don't think we have been in a city this big since Manzanillo, Mexico.

Black pearl earings for sale

Even small earings cost 16,000 CFP or about $160 US

Rouser in the big city

Tied to the quay in Papeete

Large tanker bringing supplies

Papeete

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