We docked in the city of Papeete, which is located on the island of Tahiti. Papeete is the capital of Tahiti and the center for public governmental, commercial, and industrial services for all French Polynesia. The French High Commissioner also resides in Papeete. It is the primary focal point for French Polynesian tourism. The population is 137,000. The climate is humid tropical with intense solar radiation. By mid-afternoon, the city is inactive and virtually closed by the heat and humidity. There is a small night market.
The painter Paul Gauguin lived here and painted his most famous works. Painting and art is everywhere. The city commissioned several large murals on the sides of buildings. Other similar art ordained any flat surface and might be called graffiti in other cities. The area around the dock is geared toward tourism with local arts, especially wood carvings. We were asked not to purchase wood, and then bring it onboard, as parasite beetles could cause future damage to the omnipresent teakwood on the ship.
A walking tour lead by a local English speaker visited parks, churches, and important government buildings. The main market sells meat, vegetables, and everyday items to the Papeete residents. It is an important and busy meeting place with interesting people. Tahitians like Christmas so much, that decorations were still up in the middle of January and even for sale in the market.
