After a 9 hour red-eye from Seattle, we landed in Papeete, Tahiti about 4am local time.

After picking up the rental car we drove straight to our Airbnb in Puna'auia (poo-na-way-uh) for a couple hours of sleep. Then we headed back to Papeete for lunch and exploration. We walked around the center of town and explored the Marché (City Market) where we sampled local food until we were stuffed. Fresh poisson cru (sashimi and poké), crevettes (shrimp), pain de coco (coconut bread), and firi firi (donuts) among other things. 

We loved the reefs off the walkway on the marina where we saw our first glimpse of a myriad of tropical fish species. 

After another nap at the Airbnb, we headed to the beach at Pointe de Venus in the late afternoon/evening.   

The lighthouse at Pointe de Venus.

And we were treated to a gorgeous sunset on our first evening in Tahiti.

The beautiful Island of Moore'a on the horizon: