Monthly Archives: October 2021

Konis Family at the Grottos

Tahitian Natural Grottos Mara’a

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Tahiti has many natural grottos hidden amongst its hillsides.  We discover three natural grottos, cut in the rock, not far from the road at the Mara’a Grotto.  Permanent infiltrations of water have formed small lakes with crystal-clear and very cool water.  We make our way on a natural trail into a world of luscious flora where abundant fern foliage and green tropical plants thrive.

Access to Grotto Mara’a is a little hidden gem and  is free to the public.

Konis Family at the Grottos

Konis Family at the Grottos

Grotto: Ana-Vai-poiri

Ana-Vai-poiri (dark water grotto) is the name of the largest grotto.  It is peculiar in that it shows an optical illusion.  Its arched-shaped ceiling lowers and plunges into the depths of the cave.  It appears smaller than it is in reality.  And yet, it is 80 meters (260’) long, 30 meters (100’) wide at the entrance and 10 meters (30’) tall at its highest part.

Ana-Vai-poiri (dark water grotto)

Ana-Vai-poiri (dark water grotto)

Grotto: Ana-Mata-vaa

Ana-Mata-vaa (a canoe-prow shaped grotto) is the name of the 2nd largest grotto.  There is lots of foliage growing down toward the water reaching out for a taste of water. 

Ana-Mata-vaa (a canoe-prow shaped grotto)

Ana-Mata-vaa (a canoe-prow shaped grotto)

Grotto: Vai-Pātōtō

The smallest grotto is named Vai-Pātōtō (grotto where water trickles down with a knocking sound).  Even though it is the smallest, it is the prettiest with the huge variety of plants and flora surrounding it, growing on it, over it, and below it. 

Vai-Pātōtō (grotto where water trickles down with a knocking sound)

Vai-Pātōtō (grotto where water trickles down with a knocking sound)

There are lots of birds’ nest in the towering walls of the grottos.  You can find a colony of Ōpe’a (Hirundo tahitica) small grey Pacific swallows and Hopetea (or Ma’uroa Hope’uo (phaethon lepturus) which are white tailed tropic birds.  Periodically, grey Out’u or reef egrets (egretta sacra) will adventure into the grottos from the seaside.

We stopped for a snack at the little park directly across from the grottos.  Just a moment to enjoy the beauty of Tahiti.

Visit us next as the Konis’s and I visit the Tahitian Water Gardens: Jardin d’eau de Vaipahi.  And if you missed our last stop, read about the Museum de Tahiti here.

Events from this blog post occurred during the last week of July, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.  Here are some photos from the Grotto’s Mara’a.

Me and Kimberly

Museum de Tahiti

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Troy, Kimberly, Cole and Cameron (my family) return to French Polynesia.  We took it easy on their first day since they flew all night long.  We unpacked the two 50lb bags full of boat parts that they brought us, frolicked in the water, and hit the large Carrefour for a few last-minute provisions.  The next day, we rented a car to tour around the island of Tahiti.  Our first stop was the Museum de Tahiti.

Museum de Tahiti

The best laid plans still can go awry.  I emailed and or called each of our desired stops to ensure they were open.  We are still after all still in the middle of a pandemic.  The museum responded that “yes, we are indeed open.”  However, when we arrived, we learned that the actual museum is under massive renovations and they only have an exhibit up.  Well, shoot.

The exhibit showcases many costumes worn during heiva (their annual festival) which are super fun to look at, along with art, and a few sculptures.

We take advantage of all the fun photo opportunities.  Troy, Cameron, and Cole imitating the tiki behind them.

Troy, Cameron, Cole

Troy, Cameron, Cole

Kimberly and I in front of the exhibit photo.

Kimberly and I

Kimberly and I

Museum de Tahiti had lots of life size beautiful posters.

Cameron and Cole posing like the Rapa Nui (Easter Island) tiki

Cameron and Cole

Cameron and Cole

Troy and Kimberly poised as the Tahitian bride and groom (see costumes behind them)

Troy and Kimberly

Troy and Kimberly

Lots of beautiful heiva costumes were on display.

Heiva Costumes

Heiva Costumes

Cole and Cameron with an authentic Tahitian pirogue.

This was an amazing piece of art painted on metal.  Can you see the dancer’s in the swirl of feathers?  It took us awhile, but there are 2 women facing each other dancing.  The one on the left is smiling and shows teeth in her mouth and the one on the right has her mouth open.

Can you find the two dancers?

Can you find the two dancers?

Museum de Tahiti Gardens

We venture outside to see the grounds.  They have lots of statues scattered around the property.  Kimberly and I both have to “go.”

Museum de Tahiti Tiki Garden

Museum de Tahiti Tiki Garden

Troy looking out toward Mo’orea

A large area with hand painted graphics depicting unique illustrations from each heiva (festival)

Stay tuned for the next blog when the Konis Family visits the natural grottos of Tahiti.

Events from this blog post occurred during the last week of July, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.