Arrived Easter Island -Tuesday 23 Feb

Hi,

After a short night, leaving Tahiti at 2.40am, I arrived in Easter Island at 12.40 pm , allowing for time difference and a 5 hour  flight, I am  now officially in Chile at Easter Island, or Rapa Nui or Isla de Pascua in Spanish.

So far have only managed to get a park ticket (to see statues etc) and get some cash from the ATM and get to the hotel for about an hours kip. Have not explored much yet.

Just a few pics,

Of my room in Tahiti and a few at the hotel I am at in Easter Island, the Tupa Hotel. Rooms are basic but OK.

Room in Tahiti

View from hotel in Rapa Nui

Papeete, Monday 22 Feb

Hi,


When you travel, there is always something you will forget to pack. I could feel something was missing when I left but could not pin it down until yesterday. It was my swimming trunks.  I always have a pair of shorts I can fall back to using but they are heavier and do not dry as quickly. I thought with all these big Polynesian fellas getting around that I would have no trouble getting replacements bathers here in Papeete. No such luck, every shop seem to only have regular sizes so I don't know where half the locals get their clothes from.

Todays pics are from a walk around Papeete today into heat, no rain  and burning sunshine.


It is a 2.00am flight out of here tonight to easter island.

Sleeping dogs should be let to lie

Cathedral

pool on rooftop

Tahiti, Sunday the 21st Feb 2016

Greeting to the cyberspacers

It was still pissing down rain here in Papeete Tahiti this  morning. The apartment owner where I am staying offered me a ride around the island today for free as he was going down to the other end of the island to inspect his other property. He was going to pick me up at 9.30 but was late, which worked out fine as the rain and wind had stopped by about 10.30.

Here are a collection of snaps taken during the day including buying some local avocados, different looking skin from ones I am used to, seeing some eels in a drain, a roadside waterfall, some surfers, a ginger cat at lunch and a blowhole.

The Blow Hole (ocean vent)

The Blow Hole (cliff vent)

South Pacific - Papeete Tahiti, French Polynesia

Merci Merci,

They speak  French here in French Polynesia -Tahiti. Time to dust off all the spanish learnings and focus on baguettes and cafe.

Arrived here on Saturday night, after leaving Auckland Sunday afternoon, I gained a day crossing the international dateline somewhere slight west of here. Tomorrow, I am hoping to get a ride to look around the island of Tahiti, away from Papeete, which I saw bits of coming in from airport tonight. It looked sleepy for Saturday night. The weather is warm, very humid and pissing down with rain. Hopefully tomorrow will be clearer.

It was a slow morning at Rohans, but Mike and I did mange to get out and see a bit of Auckland before heading to the Airport. We went to Western Springs park and looked at ducks and swans and eels. We saw a tram that was a long way from South Melbourne and I suspect did not go to Sth Melbourne depot if you got on the tram. We then had lunch and then went to Mt Eden for a brief stopover.

Here are some Pics

Note the sign also says "No Fishing" in Chinese, Mike and I suspect they may like hooking into the eels that live under this bridge and are also partial to a bit of "Auckland Duck"

I suspect it does not go there.

Overlooking city from Mt Eden

Looking SW I think

Day 2 Auckland - Lunch

Hi kids,

Today was long lunch day, nothing else was achieved (although touring plans were earmarked, they did not see the light of day)

Mike took me to Leon and Anita Narbey's place in Auckland, old friends of Mikes and also friends of my brother Howard when he lived here in the 1970's.

An interesting couple, Anita (Dutch born) is an artist, writer and teacher and Leon Narbey is a cinematographer who has very broad experience. They also own a olive tree farm in the Northlands area of NZ and produce an excellent Olive oil. Lunch with wine and coffee was excellent, view from window was superb, conversation lively and interesting. It was a long lunch.

Tonight it is back to Rohan's place where Mike is cooking again. On the way back we made a detour through Karangahape Rd in Auckland just to refresh my memory of the place. It has not changed too much.

Wine at Rohan's place yesterday afternoon.

Mike Glynn, Rohan's dad

Llonia, Rohan's Mum

Mike, Me and Anita at Leon & Anita's house

Leon, Mike and Anita on the balcony.

Day 1 part 2 Arrived Auckland

Hi Blogettes,

Happily arrived in Auckland this afternoon. Good flight and easy going. Emirates gave me a good seat.

MIke Glynn picked me up from the airport and we are now back at his son Rohan's house where I will stay the next two nights. Mike is getting beers whilst I write this update so looking forward to that. It is warm and humid in Auckland.

LB

Day One - Preparing to Leave

It is still early on Friday morning and in a few hours I will need to leave to go to the airport. Today is just a short flight to Auckland New Zealand, where I will catch up with long term friend from NZ Mike Glynn. Mike is coming up to Auckland to meet me and we are going to stay at Mike's sons house in Auckland until I leave for Tahiti on Sunday.


This is the first day of what is expected to be a long adventure. Time, money and other stuff allowing.


Lucky Bastard (LB)