Papeete is the center of French Polynesia. We ended our voyage here, and overnighted in the Intercontinental. Silversea's choice, not mine. It ws a bit of a poncy hotel, very expensive if you were payiing. With over 1000 guests it was not what you would call personal
Tahiti is not an easy place to get to and from Europe, and I had had to book a 21 hour flight via San Francisco, to Paris. Overnight at Orly, then on to Alicante via Madrid
April 12th
Docked in Papeete and were transferred to the Intercontinental hotel at 09.00. They would not let any of us into our rooms until 15.00, so we established ourselves on loungers near their immense pool and Chris had a couple of swimst.. Other people off the ship were somewhat annoyed by 2.30!
Once in the room ,we had a bite to eat, unpacked what was necessary and then went for a walk, discovering a couple of sea-swimming pools;. We had another wander once it was dark- the restaurant and nearby drinks areas were packed. We then enjoyed some nuts on the balcony, washed down by brandy and coke (from the ship)
April 13
Up at 4.20 and were in a taxi for the short distance to the airport, after a pleasant continental breakfast in the hotel. We were in Premium Economy, which gives a resonable amoujt of room, a sufficient number of toilets for the numbr of passengers in the cabin, and better service and food than served to the rest of the aircraft. Our FrenchBee flight to San Francisco left early, before 7, and both the stewardesses and the food were outstanding. Though just above average om the second leg of the journey to Paris.
There was a 2 hour stopover at SanFrancisco. As Transit passengers we had to exit the airraft with all our hand luggage (bear in mind that we were re-boarding exactly the same aircraft) and go through passport control, along with all passengers acrually wanting to stay in the USA/ The Americans did not have enough passport control officers, and it was chaotic. We were near the from of the queue, but those at th back took over two hours to get through. Net result was that the fliht was delayed by 30 minutes taking off again.
We arrived at Orly at 4pm and were able to walk to the Novotel in cold damp weather.. An adequate but basic room. Wandered back to the airport to check where to catch the tram to terminal 4 in the morning at 06.00. Checked our luggage in with Iberia - my Silver Card gets us to the front of the queue. The flight Orly to Madrid, and Madrid to Alicante. The whole thing from Ship to Home was over 60 hours, and with a 12 hour time difference , we were spaced out by the time we got home.
click on a thumbnail to get a bigger photo
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