bargain key to

'Le truck'is the bargain key to Tahitian touring

By Ned Avary

Prices are a lot higher here in ahiti now than they were when the ten of the Bounty got three coconuts ad two girls—for a friendly smile id a warm greeting.

But, there are ways to beat the >aring prices, and one of the best is E TRUCK. You’ll see Tahiti the in way. And happily miss solid ild-priced rental cars . . . and arisian metered taxis, which double icir fares at night!

Ride Le Truck as most local ;ople do! You’ll save a bundle— id see what you came to see. The ilynesian people . . . the blue la >ons . . . the towering green moun ins . . . the lazy, alluring life. Le ruck is just what it sounds. Almost! ■ightly painted—with two comfort >le rows of benches—running fore id aft. Open air. Baggage racks on p—stairs at back, where you >ard —and pay your ridiculously w fare—4o cents—for doing it the diitian way.

Le Truck is Tahiti’s delightful iswer to public transport. And your st local bargain. They run every

15 minutes—from about 5 am to 6 pm. Where do you catch them?

Along any main road—or the down town Central Market. They all start . . . and end . . . right there. Le Truck passes all the hotels and points of interest—anywhere on the island.

Before touring Tahiti the right way, you must do a couple of things.

Head for the Tahitian-style Tourist Bureau, smack in the middle of Papeete’s fabled waterfront. Meet the gorgeous Tahitian hostesses there.

Pick up a map of the island and, if you can break away, stroll back to your truck depot, a short block away.

It also helps if you have latched onto a copy of The Tahiti Bulletin— at your hotel desk that morning. It is Tahiti’s only English language daily. Chock full of juicy tourist items—and free!

Armed with your map of Tahiti pick out your Trtick. It’s so easy.

For example: You happen to be stay ing at the fantastic Taharaa Hotel, out in the Arue district. And you want to go home. Your hotel name —or your district—or both—will be

printed on the sides of your Truck.

So are the other districts youTi pass through: Mamao . . . Taaone . . .

Pirae . . . and your Arue. Check it out on your map then climb aboard —sit back—relax! This ride will cost you 40 cents. A taxi could sock you 10 dollars!

Horn blasting, Tahitian-taped music blaring, Le Truck weaves through Papeete’s crazy, colourful streets. Smile at the Chinese, Tahi tian or French passengers. And they flash you a warm welcome. Better yet: say la Ora Na! (Hello) —and they’ll love you! Shops, streets, cars, trees, people, trucks and buildings fly by. A real Polynesian parade!

Through a side street—you’ll catch a glimpse of distant Moorea—James Michener’s real Bali Ha’i Island— waiting across the channel. You pro mise yourself a Moorea beach-head.

Later.

Now you wind through tree-lined Taaone District with its typical Tahi tian homes as—plumeria, hibiscus, bougainvillea—flowers charge your route with living colour. High on your right, wild, green volcanic peaks beckon you up the Fautaua Valley. To Pierre Loti’s Pool. Where he lived—and loved—and produced his pagan poetry.

Le Truck now wheels you out into the lovely Pirae and Arue districts.

Past the drive-in theatre (of all things)!—and the Chinese cemetery.

Then the yacht club—on the lovely lagoon—with the distant surf pounded reef. Here is James Norman Hall’s home. Where Mutiny on the Bounty—and his other South Sea classics were jointly created with Charles Nordhoff. Now Le Truck starts climbing, around lush green mountain curves, as you gaze down on Matavai Bay.

There is where it all started. The ‘discovery’ of Tahiti . . . just 200 years ago—by Wallis, Bougainville,

A bonus on top of your truck ride— beaming smiles from the hostesses at the Tahitian Tourist Bureau.

ITook and Bligh. Down on those beautiful beaches the Bounty crew rolicked with luscious local vahines.

Vo wonder so many mutinied!

Here is your Taharaa Hotel— Mastered on a rugged cliff—guarding Vlatavai Bay. Reluctantly you leave mur new friends aboard Le Truck, )ay the driver with a warm mau •uuru (thank you)—and stroll to four hotel entrance. Where you’ll irobably see some poor tourist, slidi ng out 10 dollars to his cab driver or the same ride you just loved— or 40 cents!

That night at the Happy Hour cocktail time in the tropics)— pread out your Tahiti map. Relish he musical names of the districts ,nd villages—Faaa, Maeva, Puna uia, Taapuna, Taravao, Tautira.

Plan your next day’s Truck tour, low about going south this time?

U 1 the way to the end of the line: "autira! You’ll see Tahiti’s splendid lew Faaa jet strip—which opened the ood gates of tourism here. On past 'unaauia—the Gold Coast District— /ith Tahitian mansions on green hills nd gleaming white yachts anchored i the blue lagoon. Here are the only fhite sand beaches of Tahiti! Loads f them though, across the channel, n Moorea.

Make this Truck tour on a Sunday ? possible. To collect a couple of are bonuses. Both the Travelodge nd Maeva Beach hotels in this dis -ict have wonderful shows Sunday oon. Tahitian dancing and folklore, dl free! So—leave your Truck here ; you like—see the shows—and pick p the next one!

Later, one of your fellow passen ers will point out the spot where aul Gauguin lived and painted his rst Tahitian masterpieces. The same lace where Somerset Maugham ought a Gauguin window for a song! low you pass Charles NordhofFs ome (the other half of the Bounty rilogy team). Then you enter the aea district—home of the late Eddie und, American musical genius, who rst put marvellous Tahitian music n paper.

And here is the Marae de Arahu ihu—fabulous stone temple—on the illside. Scene of kings crowned, jyal weddings, weird religious rites nd human sacrifice.

Your 40-mile odyssey to Tautira half-over. And everyone is a bit ry. So pile out with your new iends at the first Chinese shop. |uaff down a cold Tahitian Hinano eer. And another! Then off again dth Le Truck!

Do you like caves and grottos? lere’s a beauty now, with a cool, nderground lake. Le Grotto de laraa. Ask your driver to stop.

Take a swim ... or just gaze at this natural wonder. Next on your route; the Gauguin Museum, nestled in 700 acres of fabulous botanical gardens.

Don’t miss it!

Now you cross the Isthmus of Taravao joining the two Tahitis.

Back in 1925, this was the end of the line—for Tahiti’s first Trucks— four faithful old Reo jalopies! Later, they pushed on to Tautira, most dis tant point from Papeete, where you’re heading right now!

Deep into unspoiled Tahiti-iti you roll, passing through flower-covered Afaahiti and Pueu districts. And here is your goal: Tautira! A Tahi

tian fishing village—right out of your dreams!

The great Robert Louis Stevenson lived here for months in 1888. He wrote: “Tautira is the most beautiful spot, and its people the most ami able, I have ever found”. And you will agree! So, spend the night here, sing and dance with the people.

Swim . , . feast . . . drink in the purity of the place. Return to Pa peete tomorrow. Or never!

If you must leave, another happy discovery is yours: This priceless Tautira trip you took with Le Truck cost you $3! Same tour by taxi SBO. la Ora Na! Le Truck of Tahiti!