Four-Wheel Drive (4x4) Trip on Tahiti
(Click on each thumbnail picture to enlarge.)
I
made these photos while on a 4x4 shore excursion trip from the Renaissance
R3. We followed the coast road northwest from Papeete to Papenoo (near
marker PK17). The four-wheel drive road goes up the Papenoo Valley for
about 18km, following the Papenoo River to Relais de la Maroto. It is a
beautiful drive, full of waterfalls and tropical vegetation. At one time
the road crossed the river 10 times, but we only had to ford it once, and it was
fun!
Three 4x4 vehicles transported 18 of us (6 per vehicle) on the trip. The three 4x4s stayed together while crossing the river, but otherwise moved at whatever rate the group wanted. Our guide was very good about stopping and discussing the various plant life along the way.
My mother and I in front of one of the three major waterfalls along the route. That's a white Tiare behind my ear. They are the emblem of Polynesia and are in the same family as the gardenia.
More Waterfalls . . .
Our 4x4 group included Linn and Judy from California, Bob and Judy from Arizona, my mother Marv and I. Our excellent guide (on the back right) was named Mahiti.
The streams and rivers looked like the Rockies or the Great Smoky Mountains.
When you saw the tropical vegetation, you knew you weren't in the continental United States!
This is one of the many small streams we forded. The river was MUCH larger than this!
Here's the river crossing!
At the turn around point for our 4x4 adventure, the guide provided us with some fresh giant star fruit, watermelon, coconut, and pineapple. It was a delicious and fun snack!
A photo of our 4x4 near the end of our excursion.
Article on Renaissance R3 Cruise to Tahiti and French Polynesia - Mega 7-part feature from the South Pacific cruise
Tahiti and French Polynesia Photo Album
