“Tuhaa Pae” was build just few years ago to serve Austral Islands (they have monopoly for the service) and is in general quite nice little ship. Travelling in the last expensive class you have to bring your own sheet and blanket (they blow cold air into the room) since the berths are sticky. In the middle of the night I woke up with the feeling that something is walking around on my face… Yeep! 2 cm long bug! On the white-painted walls there were more of them. I did not sleep till the morning – that’s budget traveller’s life! At sunrise we crossed the pass in the barrier reef entering the lagoon of Tubuai. Tubuai (locals pronounce: Tupuai) has nice mountains, but they rise in the middle of the oval-shaped island – not like on Raivavae. Soon we docked at a little pier. Sun was already very hot when I was marching down the ship’s gangway. Friendly local guy gave me the lift on his pick-up to the last expensive pension – Vaiteanui. It is also known as Wipa Lodge. Located some 1 km from the center of Mataura -the “capital” of the island and whole Austral Archiepelago. Lodge, in the big garden is operated by little crazy Mr Wilson and his wife. They have 5 rooms with bath. They charge 4500 CFP just for acommodation in the single. And believe me – for French Polynesia it is very good price! It is time to rest after this buggy night…
