---------------------------Paeke archaeological   site in Taipivai---------------------------                                           Hatiheu from above

Traveling there:
There are frequent flights from Papeete, 4-5 flights each week. Even more June - August. Taxi from the airport to Taiohae   (the main village) takes 2 1/2 hours. Book taxi ahead.  The closest accom. is in Taiohae.

 

Traveling around on the island:
One travel guide have written something like this  "After travelling 2 hours in jeep from the airport towards Taiohae and you reach a pawed road. You should know how very happy you will be when you see his pawed road". The road are not as bad as this. A bit dumpy, but mostly flat.

Taxi:
They must be booked.  The owner of Andy's dream didn't showed up as promised. It took 1 hour with help from 4-5 people in the village to find a taxi which could bring me to the airport. If anything should be booked, this is one of the things you should do.
 

Accommodation:  I stayed at Andy's Dream. The owner of this place  - André Teeikiteetini was one of the biggest jerks I came across during my 5 weeks in South Pacific.  He didn't keep his promise and are very fond of your money. His place is not a complete dump, but not far from it. Addition the walking-distance to the village center is very long even for people on holiday. The no. of fowls around the cabin are also very high. They have live  concert 24 hours each day. Cute creatures...  
            I paid XPF 3000.- + XPF for a small french breakfast. I saved about XPF 500 compared with accom. in the village center. It was far from worth it.

This place is recomended by David Stanley in his "Tahiti handbook" and Lonley Planet. It's hard to believe this.  This is one of the very few ocassions Mr. Stanleys have missed with his description of a place. 

The alternative to this place are several, but c onsult Stanleys guide in this matter.  He gives you an good description of the alternatives.

Village - one should visite:
Taipivai is the village Herman Melville lived in during his short stay in Nuku Hiva. The canal from the beach which enter the village, make this place a very special place in Nuku Hiva. The whole valley which surrounds the village is just coconut trees.  Life seems not having been changed there for many years. 

Beaches:  
The beach in Hakaui is just faboulus. It's just perfect.  Not easy to reach, but one will not regret travelling there.

Food:
I had a marvelous dinner at "Chez Yvonne" in Hatiheu. The lobster is a major dish in the island group. 

Maps:
One have to buy it Papeete. They are really good. Same level of details I'm used to with the hiking maps I use here Norway

Music:
CD's costs about 600XPF more then in Papeete - XPF 3800. Most grocery stores have some kind of selection of CD's.  

Money matters:
Banque Socredo has it branch close to the beach - is on the left side of mairie(the town hall) - on the last strech towards the City Pier. Easy to see. No ATM.

Postcards:
A descent collection is avable in most stores. Some pretty old.
 

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Last updated: 8th March  2002
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