Making My Way To Teahupo'o (Tahiti)

in #travel8 years ago

Today I want to tell you all about the most exotic trip I've taken yet.

This one's about when I spent 5 weeks on a tiny island in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean called Tahiti.

I departed from O'Hare International Airport on May 4, 2016 and landed at LAX around 11:00pm. I really don't mind airports; I actually enjoy people-watching and trying to figure out what their lives must be like or where they're traveling. As I take a glance around me I notice the mix of people also waiting at the gate. I see surfers who are probably flying out to meet the big swell due to hit the island. I see newlyweds who look eager for what might be their first international trip together- I also imagine the insane amount of money they probably spent to reserve one of those isolated bungalows that sit over the water. And I notice a group of middle-aged ladies who seem pretty excited for this trip based on their fanny packs and eager body language. But what makes me smile and realize that I'm really going to Tahiti, is when I see a young Tahitian family. The parents are about my age and they have three young children who are running around having fun with the moving walkway and their imagination. I notice some people seem to be annoyed at the kids' laughter and antics but the parents are incredibly laid back while they keep an eye on them. I know I'm not the only one who's witnessed a stressed out parent lash out at their children for acting "unruly" in public places. You can practically see the kids just deflate when they realize that they "aren't allowed" to divulge their energy and imagination. This is my first taste of that easy going island philosophy I've been hearing so much about, and I can't wait to be emersed in it.

Tahiti seems to be getting closer already and I've only just boarded the plane, Air Tahiti Nui is decorated in bright turquoise with accents of bright yellow and pink. The flight attendants have flowers tucked into their perfectly quaffed hairdos and they speak with a French accent.
I get a window seat and I assume that the man sitting next to me is Russian, or at least from somewhere in Eastern Europe. I would've enjoyed a chat but as soon as he took his seat he opened his half-gallon bottle of liquor he bought at the duty-free store, took a chug, stuffed it back into his bag and fell asleep. Ooh kay, I guess I'll be watching movies and sipping on my free red wine for the next 8 hours then!

I take a peak out of the window as the plane is nearing the landing strip at Papeete Airport. It's 5:00am and it's still dark. But I can see the illuminated markers for the pilots to use for judging the landing. The markers are in the ocean, holy crap, this plane is going to get pretty close to the water before it touches down on land. I grip my arm rests and prepare for the landing. Of course it goes smoothly and I realize I'm now in paradise.

I greet the border patrolman with a huge smile and he asks me where I'll be staying. Since I'm not staying in one of those fancy hotels in Papeete I tell him I'll be staying in the small town of Teahupo'o. He says he needs more information than that. I realize now that I never learned the exact address- or if there even is one- of where I'll be staying. You see, I have a friend who has visited Tahiti many times and he knows a great family that he always stayed with for a decent price, so he connected me with them. Unfortunately the best directions I have at this point for finding the house literally are:

"When the main road ends, walk over the bridge and it's the third house down."

So here I am looking at the border patrolman trying to decide what to tell him. When in doubt, tell the truth right? So I tell him I'll be staying in Teahupo'o at the third house from the bridge. I think he gets it now. He doesn't press me for more information. He slaps that stamp on my passport and I've officially entered Tahiti.

As some of you may know, when you visit different countries, sometimes there are things that you see or hear or maybe even smell, that make it real to you that you are now in a different place. For me, this happened when I exited the airport. Which had no real doors, the walls just ended and you were immediately breathing in the fresh island air. Anyway I walk out of the airport and I walk onto the parking lot where I hear a rooster "cock-a-doodle-doo" and then it runs across my path. A rooster is hanging out at the airport parking lot. First I stared at it and laughed. But that was it. That was the point when I realized: "OK, I'm here. Time to take it all in. "

Fortunately for me the day I arrived was a special holiday. The kind of holiday where the bus drivers get a day off.

It's 80 degrees, 5:30am and the sun is just starting to rise. I get a glimpse of the mountainous skyline framed by the clouds and I start walking to a spot where I will hitchhike for the first time in my life.

The Hitchhiking Adventure Continues Tomorrow!

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Tahiti sounds very cool.

I noticed you did not wait until 30min to vote. Do you not believe that it is worth it or that the voting system does notwork that way. Especially since this will be a popular post with $100's of dollars. Just curious on your opinion.

I gave no thought to it other than i was at my computer when the post appeared . I read it and commented. Thats the extent of my planning about replies.

This makes sense to me.

That's my thoughts also. See it, comment it.

The 30 minutes thing is kind of tricky : yes, by voting before the 30 minutes mark it means that 99.94% of his curation reward is going to the author, and 0.06% to him. However, the more voters on a story, the more diluted this reward becomes. Here is a useful post on this matter:

https://steemit.com/steem/@steemship/how-to-vote-smart-and-profit-from-steemit-s-new-curation-rewards

Those pictures are very nice. It's Friday and I envy you as I am stuck here at a computer desk at work.

@mikegold10 I hope you get the chance to get some fresh air at some point today ;)

Have a good day in Taiti!

so... you've earned 5.217 dollars with this post??

Interesting read and nice pictures! Tahiti is the symbol of an exoctic travel destination par excellence for me. Hope You had a great time there!
The mutiny on the Bounty always comes to my mind when reading about Tahiti as well... ;-)

Looking forward to posting my own surf adventure from Tavarua in Fiji soon =)

You surfed Restaurants?! Do you go there often? How was it?

I am following you both on your trip and Steemit!

Thank you @jchch I appreciate it!

I can’t believe you exist in this world. You are Gorgeous!!

Tahiti sounds amazing, Heidi.

Take care and report back to us. :)

@getsidetracked I like your username! Also, Tahiti IS amazing- no matter where you look you either have a beautiful view of the mountains or a view of the clear turquoise ocean with waves breaking beyond the reef. But it's the happy, friendly people there that make it truly special.

I've noticed people in developing countries seem a lot more happier in general even though their quality in life is much lower than the rest.

Yeah I agree with that. They seem to have a better appreciation for what really matters in life. It's incredibly refreshing to be emersed in a culture that highly values family.

I have never been outside the US. Tahiti looks amazing. I could definitely seem myself in a hammock swinging in the morning ocean breeze. Cant wait to take an awesome vacation one day. Thanks much for posting your amazing journey. Be safe!!

Hey thanks @navydude :) I'll be as safe as I can, although all the fun happens when things get a little crazy ;) I hope you're able to get out there soon!

This is a dream destination, especially because of the giant, freaky, waves they get there. Some of the most amazing surf photos I've ever seen are from this place. Hope you get to seen some.

@cloveandcinnamon- Sitting in the channel at Teahupo'o is my favorite spot in the entire world at this point. I spent a solid 9 hours there floating on an old SUP board there. I couldn't pull myself away from the epic power and beauty of that wave. The sunburn was totally worth it.

I've heard that just the sound of that wave breaking can give you goose bumps.

It's the best kind of thunder I've ever heard. I miss it terribly!!

I spent 6 months in French Polynesia when I was younger. I still have very powerful emotions that come up when I see pictures of that paradise or read of other peoples experiences. The people there are wonderful!

@tcmckay, I understand why you would have such a connection with those islands. It's a whole other world and one that everyone can learn lessons from. We should all strive to be more like the Tahitians!

When we were in Nuka Hiva we made banana bread with really ripe breadfruit. The locals loved it until we told them it was made with the ripe breadfruit. I guess they didn't think that was safe. Then while staying in Bora Bora we met a family that had a huge star fruit tree in the front yard. We asked them what they did with the starfruit and they said that it was too sour to do anything with. My dad picked a bunch, mashed them up, squeezed the juice from them and added sugar. Voila, starfruit lemon-aid was produced. The family loved it.

Awesome :) I bet they make that starfruit-ade a lot now!

good foto, me too want to tahiti,)))

I've really been enjoying your blog & posts! You are a great writer and seem to have a pretty damn awesome life! Go Heidi! Go Heidi! Lol. :0)

Thank you so much @greenhatter! My life has certainly turned around the last couple years. I'm really excited to see where life takes me in the future :)

Tahiti sounds amazing, Heidi.

Keep continues your trip (̶◉͛‿◉̶)

I just want to properly represent the beauty that island and the people have to offer! :)

woow that's so amazing

Want to visit this place, a convenient place seems

Hey, great action, great life...You seem to be enjoying the ride. Are you planning on going surfing too?

Lucky for me there was a nice friendly beach break and when it got to be about 6 feet it actually had a hollow barrel, I was able to get some practice, but not quite ready for the famous Teahupo'o yet ;)

As you love travelling, you should check my last post. I think you will love the video ---> https://steemit.com/travel/@charles-d/this-makes-me-want-to-go-camping-again-steemit

Amazing place! I wish you a good rest.

@samether Dubai is on my bucket list! I'll make it there one day :)

What an amazing life you have, I feel some envy, I wish I could travel around the world, there are so many places I´d love to visit.

@mariagon44pe, nothing is impossible. If you truly want it to happen you can make it happen!

This seems like a very exotic place, I would like to visit there some day. Cheers !!

@rajanbmalhotra I hope you get to visit, it'll give you memories to last a lifetime

Very cool trip. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope to get there myself some day.

@groovy, I hope you get to visit there also of course :) I love sharing with you all!

i wish i was there aswell
have fun and enjoy, tahiti is a great place

Great Post!! @heiditravels, as I can witness you #travel and definitely recommend #Colombia for #Tourism to be on your list of countries to visit and help change the negative image of our country worldwide by becoming an ambassador of this beautiful destination where you can enjoy all types of #scenery and #landscapes!!

Pretty awesome place.Maybe i will visit there someday.

Прикольно оформлено.

strange level of engagement.... the article gets $1792, yet the comments get almost nothing.

There's not a lot of upvotes for the comments on this one... yet

Looks like so much fun. Great photos, and thanks for sharing

Wow this place looks great!

Beautiful pictures.

beauty nice place to place to live

Amazing. you have paid for your holiday via steemit. this is great to see.

Looks beautiful @heiditravels.

 8 years ago  Reveal Comment