How do you sign up?

How much does it cost to stay at Fare Hamara?

Phone/Internet
    Phone Card
    Phone
    Cell Phones
    Internet

Travel to Moorea
    Arrival in Tahiti
    Changing Money
    Travel to Moorea by Sea
    Travel to Moorea by Air

Arriving in Moorea
    Rental Cars
    Directions
    Driving to Fare Hamara

About Fare Hamara
    House Rules
    Power
    TV/DVD and CD Player
    Sun Umbrella
    Bedrooms
    Other Amenities

Out and About
    Shopping
    Beaches
    Places of Worship
    Visiting Papeete/Tahiti
    Recommended stops around the island
    Medical/Dental Emergencies
    Pharmacies
    Fire or Police Emergencies
    Rotary Club

Final Reminders
    Things to bring

How do you sign up?

How much does it cost to stay at Fare Hamara?*

• Five Days - $1,000
• One Week - $1,400
• Two Weeks - $2,800
• Three Weeks - $3,780 (This reflects a 10% discount!)
• Four Weeks - $5,040 (This reflects a 10% discount!)

*Prices are in U.S. Dollars. Can be paid by personal check, PayPal or credit card.

Phone/Internet

• Phone Card - For your convenience we will provide a phone card (télécarte), as French Polynesia payphones do not accept coins.  Please use it, if needed, and then return it to us. You can buy extra phone cards at the post office, in many shops or at newsstands. Tahitian payphones display how many units are left on the prepaid card. Payphones also have a button for instructions in English. You may receive calls at any payphone; the phone number is a 6-digit number starting with 88, posted inside the booth.
• Phone - The house’s phone number in French Polynesia is 56 25 65. From the U.S., the direct dial number with international and country codes is 011 689 56 25 65. Tahiti is the same time zone as Hawaii – 2 hours behind PST or 3 hours behind during daylight savings time. Local calls (within Moorea) are not charged to you. Long distance calls, including calls to the mainland (U.S. or other countries) and other islands, will be billed to you based on actual charges; a copy of the phone bill will be provided. There is no fax machine.
• Cell Phones - French Polynesia has only ONE cellular network, which is “F Vini.” The standard is GSM, therefore your American cell phone won’t work unless it is a multi-band (“quad”) or an “unlocked” GSM phone. Inquire with your service provider and your cell phone manufacturer about connecting to the “F Vini” network and the related charges. You will find more information at: http://www.vini.pf/wps/portal?SYMBOLNAV=webVisIntlEng.
• Internet - Fare Hamara has high-speed Internet access. The only Internet Service Provider in French Polynesia is called “Mana.” Our Internet access is DSL-limited to a speed of 160 Kbps and a monthly total traffic of 2GB. A local DSL modem is provided with software and a driver that you will need to install on your computer along with access codes, etc.  Ask for Jacques’ (our caretaker)help to get set up. Internet access is billed at $10.00 per week. Prompt payment is appreciated, as we will have already covered your charges. If you take a laptop computer, an adapter for the phone is provided.

Travel to Moorea

Arrival in Tahiti
Arrival time at Faaa, Tahiti’s airport, determines if you will need to reserve a hotel room in Papeete or proceed on to Moorea. Please inquire with your airline or travel agent. Few carriers go to Moorea before daybreak or after sundown, except some evening Air Moorea connecting flights with Air Tahiti Nui. Likewise, your departure time from Papeete will determine if you need to leave Moorea the day before your scheduled flight and spend the night in Papeete.

There are snacks at the airport and food vendors at the ferry dock may be open.

NOTE: If you arrive in the early morning, we suggest waiting at the airport as taxi fare will be less at daybreak.

Changing Money

There is also an ATM that will give you Pacific Francs charged to a debit card or major credit card. The ATM is on the right side of the terminal as you exit Customs.

We suggest the Banque de Tahiti on Moorea. In Moorea, ATMs located in the Maharepa and Petit Village shopping centers will issue Pacific Francs and charge them to your credit card. If you are planning to bring Traveler’s Checks (TCs), be aware that the exchange rate is one point higher for TCs than for cash. There is a transaction fee for each TC cashed,  therefore better to bring TCs in denominations no smaller than $100.

NOTES:  Be sure to notify your credit card company before you depart that you will be in Tahiti for “X” amount of days so your credit card will not be blocked. If you do not get the chance to change money, U.S. dollars are often accepted.

Travel to Moorea by Sea - Aremiti or Moorea Express (high-speed passenger ferries, called Catamarans)
We strongly suggest taking the catamaran to Moorea for the breathtaking beauty of the arrival in the early morning. 

Take the Aremiti 5 or the Moorea Express – they take you to the dock at Vaiare, in Moorea, where there is a rental car booth. The fare is about 1,000 CFP. (Go to currency conversion chart above and click on "convert" to get latest currency rates.) Both catamarans are air-conditioned; drinks and snacks are available for purchase and the trip lasts around 30 minutes.

In Papeete, take a taxi from the airport to the Moorea ferry dock in downtown Papeete. Each vessel has its own dock. Your cab driver should direct you to where to buy your ticket or present your voucher. Ferry reservations are not required; passengers are taken on a first-come basis.

There is no need to tip your driver as tipping is not customary in French Polynesia, though most drivers will accept a tip, if offered. 

Travel to Moorea by Air - Air Moorea
Should you choose to fly, the directions to the Moorea terminal are posted in the main terminal. Follow the red path to the left of the main terminal as you look toward the parking lot. Reservations are not required; passengers are taken on a first-come basis.

Take your luggage with you on a cart. The cart is free and is located near the luggage carousel. Your luggage will be put on the Air Moorea plane without tags. The fare varies with the time of day, but should not exceed 2800 CFP, one way. Sometimes there is a charge for excess luggage. The plane is a 20-seat twin-engine “Sea Otter” and the flight takes 7 minutes.

Arriving in Moorea

Rental Cars
Upon arrival, you can pick up a rental car at either the ferry dock or the airport. Be sure to reserve a car in advance. We have made arrangements for a 15%- 20% discount from Avis for our renters.

Click here for complete details and car choices.

If you plan to rent from Avis, make sure your credit card includes international insurance coverage, as local coverage is very expensive. Many companies also rent bikes and motorized scooters. We DO NOT recommend them for safety reasons.

NOTES: Rates are based on the exchange rate and are subject to change. Most rental cars are manual transmission. Avis Tahiti does not send confirmation notices like Avis U.S. Ask for an e-mail confirmation.

Directions
If arriving by ferry: The Avis booth is in the adjacent terminal building. After obtaining your car, exit the parking lot and turn so that the water is on your right side.  If in doubt, ask for directions to Opunohu Bay. A map of the island can be found at www.farehamara.com if you wish to print it before you depart.

If arriving by air: The Avis stand is at the airport terminal. After obtaining your car, turn RIGHT out of the airport and then RIGHT on the main road. Jacques (our caretaker) will normally arrange to meet you at the ferry dock or at the Moorea airport as the rental car may not handle luggage for more than two persons.

Driving to Fare Hamara

Try to spot the kilometer markers on the mountain-side of the road. They are shaped like the island of Moorea and painted white. The airport is at Km 0; the ferry dock is at Km 4 (clockwise from Km 0). Fare Hamara is at Km 16.4, about 10 miles away from the airport. You will drive around Cook’s Bay between kilometers 6 through 12. Then you’ll pass the Moorea Sheraton, only about 2.5 Km from Fare Hamara.  (This is the east side of Opunohu Bay.) Next, you’ll pass a public beach, with a sailing school, on the right. Start looking for the “Fare Hamara” white-on-green reflective sign on the inland/mountain-side of the road. Turn left and proceed up the hill to the house, about 200 yards up. Maintain a steady speed in first gear on the steep slope. Park your car on the parking pad in front of the double doors on the building to the left of the main house.

About Fare Hamara

House Rules
No smoking in Fare Hamara.  You may, however, smoke outside on the deck.
Please follow the Tahitian custom of not wearing shoes inside the house.

Power
The house’s electrical current is 110 volts 60Hz as in the U.S.  Outlets are standard U.S. outlets; a converter is NOT needed. There are also 220 volt outlets in the house that are much bigger than the standard U.S. outlets. The bathhouse has only a 110 volt outlet, which means you do not need to take a converter for personal appliances.

TV/DVD and CD Player
The TV receives only the 2 free local French-language channels via a “rabbit ears” antenna. Both the TV and DVD player are multi-system and can play either U.S. DVDs or French ones.
The CD player is in the cabinet facing the dining room table.

Sun Umbrella
A “Hinano” sun umbrella is at your disposal for the deck.

Bedrooms
All linens are provided.  Please leave them on the beds at departure time.
Blankets are on a shelf in each closet.  For trundle bed, use the fleece throws. Often a top sheet is all that is needed. To air out pillows, put them outside in the warm sun.

Other Amenities
Board games and cards are on the corner shelf unit in the main living area.
A CD player and radio is in the cupboard by the dining table.  We do not provide CDs as music tastes vary and prolonged exposure to humidity can damage them.   There is also a DVD player for our guest’s use. The instruction manuals are in the drawer above the CD player.

The grill is attached to the deck (near the kitchen door). The grate is in the box outside the kitchen window. The tools for the grill are in the cupboard next to the refrigerator. Buy charcoal and lighter fluid at the grocery store.

Beach wraps, pareos, are provided in the central hall closet. We find that it is much easier to flip sand off of the pareos; they are lighter and dry much more quickly than towels.

There is a floor safe in the closet of the master bedroom.  The “hex” key for the safe is on the same key ring with the house key. We suggest using the safe for your cash, passports, return tickets and other valuables.

Out and About

Shopping

• FOOD: There are many grocery stores on the island. We suggest Are [Aray] in PaoPao (Cook’s Bay) and Champion, which is located about 1 Km beyond the ferry dock as you drive clockwise from the house. Are closes between 12 noon and 2 p.m. and after 6 p.m. Champion, a full-size supermarket, is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday. If you don’t see what you want, ask. Sometimes one store will have what another doesn’t. Part of the fun of island life is shopping in more than one store. These supermarkets do not supply free grocery bags. They sell large environmentally-friendly reusable bags for 100 CFP. You will find a few at Fare Hamara, near the kitchen door and icebox. When a bag breaks, bring it to the store; they will give you a new one for free. We also recommend that you bring the icebox and blue ice pack to keep frozen or fresh food cold during the trip back home.
• ALCOHOL: Alcohol is not sold in stores on Sundays, local holidays, election days or after 6 p.m. It is, however, served in hotel bars.
• BLACK PEARLS: If you plan to buy black pearls, we suggest these four pearl dealers; all are our personal friends:
  • EVA’S PERLES (Our personal favorite) - Eva Frachon -- Maharepa, next to Banque de Tahiti
  • BLACK PEARL PARADISE/WOODY’S SCULPTURES -Woody Howard  -- Papetoai, near Intercontinental Beachcomber Hotel
  • ISLAND FASHIONS -Ron Hall -- Cook’s Bay
  • TAHIA COLLINS - Mark and Tahia Collins -- near Petit Village shopping center

Beaches
Fare Hamara is about 1.5 Km from a public beach. Turn right on the main road from our house. It’s on the left side of the road.  Park along the fence and access the beach from one of the openings in the fence. The public beach in Temae near Sofitel is one of the best on the island. Ask Jacques for directions. Both public beaches are lovely. Most hotel beaches are open to the public. We suggest the beach at the Les Tipaniers Hotel featuring a nautical activity center and a shuttle to/from the motu (islet). It’s also close (about 8 Km), shallow, great for children, wonderful for snorkeling and right next to their beachside restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch. Do not feel obligated to purchase anything. All beaches are public if accessed from the water.  You are not allowed to access any beach from private property. Watch for “Tabu” (Off Limits) signs.

Places of Worship
There are several places of worship in Moorea. The music is inspiring. Visitors are welcome. Most times, services are in French or Tahitian.

Visiting Papeete/Tahiti
Take the ferry or fly.  There is enough to see and do within walking distance of the Papeete ferry dock if you choose to go on foot. NOTE: Although cars are transported via ferry, you are not allowed to take your Moorea rental car on the ferry.

Call and make arrangements with Avis and they will pick you up at the Papeete ferry dock or airport and transport you to their rental office. After you return the car, Avis will take you back to the ferry or the airport. A tour of the main island of Tahiti takes at least a full day. 

If you choose to do it on your own, do not miss the last boat or plane! Bring a map and a guidebook and plan your stops the day before. The red and white kilometer markers indicate how far you are from Papeete.

On weekdays, allow time for late afternoon rush hour traffic and rental car return. Starting your tour clockwise in the morning will keep you in a “cross-commute” direction, away from heavy traffic. A more leisurely way to discover Tahiti is to stay overnight. We recommend Hiti Moana Villa in Papara at Km 32 (20 miles from Papeete). Visit their Web site at: http://www.papeete.com/moanavilla/. Call 57.93.93 for reservations. Good restaurants are nearby and the Villa offers a very good breakfast for 1,000 CFP. Reserve breakfast when you check in.

Recommended stops around the island (clockwise):

• Home of James Norman Hall (www.jamesnormanhallhome.pf) – American author of “Mutiny on the Bounty” who lived in Tahiti.
• Blowhole – park in the parking area and walk back to the blowhole on the cliff side of the road.
  Three Waterfalls – About ¼ mile from the blowhole parking lot, find the dirt road heading inland. It’s a mile or two to a parking lot. Trails to the waterfall are clearly marked and easy to walk. The closest waterfall is less than 10 minutes away.
• Gauguin Museum – About the life of the famous painter.
• Botanical Garden – Next to the Gauguin Museum.
• Musée des Iles – Well-appointed museum depicting the history of the islands.
• If you have time, you may also want to check out one of the Carrefours or “Hyper-U” stores (combination of grocery store and department store) and bring back items or specials you couldn’t find in Moorea. Jacques can help with reservations and driving directions if you decide to take a trip to Tahiti/Papeete. Commercial day tours are also available.

Medical/Dental Emergencies (English-speaking doctors)
For major medical problems, contact Pacific Help in Papeete at 50 22 33.
Doctor – Frank Gaudard (above the Tran Pharmacy in Maharepa) at 56 44 63.
Dentist – Peter Cowan (on Tahiti in the village of Faaa) at 82 49 25.
NOTE: If you have a dental emergency, you’ll have to fly to Tahiti and take a taxi to his office.

Pharmacies
There are two pharmacies on Moorea. Tran Pharmacy is in Maharepa. Mr. Tran speaks fluent English and is familiar with U.S. brand drugs. The other pharmacy, Haapiti Pharmacy is located near Tiki Village. Even non-prescription, over-the-counter drugs are sold only in pharmacies in French Polynesia.

Fire or Police Emergencies
Fire Department and Paramedics – Dial 18.
Police/Gendarmerie – Dial 17.

Rotary Club
Moorea now has its own Rotary Club and you are welcome to attend their meetings, generally held on Monday nights at the Moorea Pearl Resort. For more information about meeting places and times, call Mr.Yves Pasquier at 71 38 29 or e-mail him at yves.pasquier@mail.pf.

Final Reminders

We highly recommend the book, Tahiti & French Polynesia Guide, 5th edition by Jan Prince (Open Road Publishing, 2008).  It is available through www.amazon.com. There should be a copy at Fare Hamara, although we can’t guarantee it.

Things to bring:

• Phone card (provided)
• Credit card/money (don’t forget to notify your credit card company)
• Sunscreen/Sunburn relief product (if desired)
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Swimsuits (more than one per person as they don’t always dry out completely)
• Snorkeling equipment
• One set of warmer clothes (long-sleeved layer and lightweight long pants)
• Windbreaker-type jacket
• Non-prescription drugs for headaches, allergies, stomach aches, etc. and simple first aid supplies
• Extra eyeglasses or lenses and prescriptions
• Plenty of film, tape and/or memory for photos and videos and extra batteries
• Favorite CDs and DVDs
• Favorite reading material (there are several books at the house)
• An open mind and an adventurous spirit

NOTE: If desired, you may bring your own alcohol (less expensive option) and packaged specialty food items from home.