Travel - Thinking Woman's Diary

Maupiti Résidence

Written: 7th Nov 2015 | Last Updated: 7th Nov 2015

Coconut palms, hibiscuses, frangipanis, Tahiti’s own tiare gardenias and many other tropical plants grow luxuriantly in the garden. The lapping of the lagoon and the distant boom of surf crashing on the coral reef provide nature’s timpani. At night, when the last rays of daylight have dispersed, the stars come out in exquisite force and command you to drop everything and look up. It's completely mesmerising! And if your kids are so inclined, they can grab a battery-powered lantern from the top of the bookshelf and explore the moonlit beach for busy hermit crabs out and about doing their nocturnal hunting and socialising.

Should you choose to self-cater, particularly if you are planning to stay on the island for more than a week, it’s a good idea to compose and email a shopping list well in advance to the owner / proprietor, Alain, who will then advise and assist you, and arrange shipment from Papeete if necessary. Local shops are small, with limited supplies (particularly in the week before the monthly shipment arrives), so making the effort to pre-order two to three months before you go will stand you in good stead. Food and beverages are quite expensive in French Polynesia, so it’s a good idea to do a bit of homework online, studying Carrefour and other local supermarket catalogues to see what’s good value in Papeete, and also to help you decide what’s worth bringing from home (i.e. sunscreen, personal insect spray, shampoo & conditioner, duty-free spirits, champagne, etc.).

A wonderful bonus on the property is the variety of fruit trees planted and tended by Alain, his lovely wife, Nhung and their team...you are encouraged to help yourself to ripe papaya, mangoes, white passionfruit, green pamplemousse and other exotic offerings. Nhung, and team member Vaea, are both experts at opening coconuts that drop from palms in the garden, and delight in offering the sweet water and soft coconut meat for you to taste.

If you need to purchase items from the local shops, located at various points around Maupiti - including the bakery which produces all the island’s baguettes and also sells fresh eggs and other foods - you can ride a bike or walk. The route is flat most of the way, but if you choose to circumnavigate the island (about 10 km) and return via some breathtaking coastal views (highly recommended), be prepared for a couple of hills. Whichever way you go, the scenery is simply magnificent. (If you need help finding the right shop, or if riding or walking are too difficult, just speak with Alain, he is very helpful, and will drive you to / from the village.)

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