The 80s are alive and well in Moorea

I woke very late this morning due to closing the curtains in the room last night—black out curtains. The room was as dark as a tomb at 10AM. Oh well, what is vacation for?

I got dressed and went to the front desk and reserved another whale watch on a catamaran tomorrow morning at 8am. (note to self: set alarm and leave curtains partially open). I then hired a taxi—10 xpf round trip to the shopping area called Tiki Village. There were at least 6 pearl shops and several gift stores, a few restaurants and a small grocery store. It’s about 10 minutes from the hotel by car.

One thing to note: It’s HOT here. Despite the breeze and the fact that it is ‘winter’, the sun is brutal. I wouldn’t have even tried this walk knowing I would be coming back laden with water and some food for my room.

I had lunch in a one of the restaurants. I purchased a 4 cheese pizza and 2 Hinano beers. (the beer is cheaper than the water) The pizza was enormous and very, very good. Not the usual cheeses—this one had mozzarella, blue cheese, ricotta and some other kind I couldn’t identify). It was huge. I ate three of those slices and got a to-go box. This should be very good to eat cold. The bill was 2000. Much better than the hotel.

I went to the grocery store and spent about 4200 on groceries and wine. I got yogurt, salami, cheese, crackers, mixed nuts, pretzels, a few cans of tonic and soda, v8 and a very large bottle of water. I will pick up a baguette tomorrow morning at the little store across the road from the hotel. Breakfast and lunch for several days! The bottle of wine I got is a pink moscato. It was about 1300 xpf.. not sure what that will taste like but it is chilling in the mini fridge and I will find out later today! (And yes, I did pack a corkscrew!)

All the music I’ve heard in stores in restaurants is very 80s. I thought of my ex-husband when I heard that song called Hey Now, Hey Now, by Tears for Fears I think. (Inside joke for members of my family). I heard his voice singing that refrain with a PA Dutch accent. I also heard Boy George and Culture Club very frequently.

It’s about 2Pm here and I’m off to the pool and beach.  

Early evening now. Spent the afternoon lounging by one of the infinity pools. Happy Hour starts at 430 and really is just an hour. All ‘fancy’ mixed drinks are just 1000! They are regularly anywhere from 1800-2100!!! Even the beer is ridiculous and that isn’t on special. But I had two drinks and they bring a glass full of green and black olives drenched in olive oil, three large chunks of fresh coconut and some toothpicks. This is surrounded by 3 or 4 tiny croissant looking hard crackers of some sort. But hey, they were free and they were olives so I ate them!

I came back to the room around six and took a shower in the giant tub. I rate the shower about 7 out of 10. Not enough water pressure for me—but still does the job! Thankfully, I am only a teeny bit burned on my back, near the top. The sun is so strong here. Without the breeze that is moving the air all the time, I don’t think I could stand to be out in it for very long.

I haven’t yet made it to the ocean for a swim. I did however take a walk near the water close to sunset.

Oh and I did finally hear some sort of current music at the bar today: Happy by that Pharrel guy. I think that was last summer in the US! But most of the afternoon was 80s stuff with a little Polynesian music mixed in. I thought the music would be in French but I've not heard that. 

I'm just giddy with the internet speed here. I'd forgotten that it really doesn't take 20 minutes to upload 3 pictures!! I'll try and go back and add some videos at some point. 

I am excited to be going out on a catamaran tomorrow morning. I’ve never been on one! Cross your fingers that we see some humpback whales!

I will leave you with this: