Farewell To Rimatara – Drowning In Flowers

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Tara

In Rimatara, they really know how to leave a lasting impression! First, our hostess, Aline Kato from La Perruche Rouge gave us both beautiful leis.

Not sure whose tombstone this is but they picked a really nice view!

We checked in for the flight, then hung around the airport and visited the small gift shop. No products had lorikeets on them. They specialize in basket weaving but we would have had a hard time getting them into Australia.

The plane was right on time and we watched our backpacks get loaded on board.

Meanwhile new passengers were arriving and being greeted by leis. One of the ladies decided to give her lei to me so I now had two of them on! I could barely see over the top as I walked to the plane! Drowning in flowers isn’t a bad way to go!

You can see how flat this island is flying overhead.

Not a full flight so we got a row to ourselves for the short 1.5 hour flight to Papeete.

Rimatara reed warbler (Acrocephalus rimitarae)

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Tara

The Rimatara reed warbler (Acrocephalus rimitarae ) is a species of Old World warbler in the Acrocephalidae family. It is found only on the island of Rimatara in French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and swamps.

The are endemic to the island of Rimatara but have been overshadowed by the other endemic bird, the spectacular Rimatara Lorikeet. They are a bit harder to spot but if you walk slowly along the main road, you will probably see them if you are watching carefully.

This species is listed as Vulnerable because it is confined to one very small island where although it is currently not uncommon, it would have to be uplisted were a decline detected.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BIRD

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Manu

VIDEO

Unfortunately, I can’t find a video online. If I do, I will update this post.

One Last Evening With The Rimatara Lorikeets

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Tara

Although it had been cloudy throughout the day, we got very lucky and it didn’t rain so we got to spend one last evening watching the beautiful Rimatara Lorikeets have dinner before flying off to roost for the night.

After bidding farewell to the lorikeets, we walked back past the airport turnoff to our bungalow.

This little Oromao Rimatara Reed-Warbler was in a tree nearby.

We got a beautiful sunset as we sat on the deck. A few lorikeets came close so I couldn’t resist getting a few more shots.

This is the fragrant lei I was given at the airport, kept the room smelling nice!

Exploring Anapoto Village – Rimatara

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Tara

After a very successful birding trip to get up close and personal with Rimatara Lorikeets, Ina and I decided to take a leisurely stroll to the nearby village of Anapoto.

Ina enjoyed talking to the locals as he spoke their language.

I was content to admire the artwork on the bus stops. I really love how they honor their native birds!

Just behind the bus stop is a small general store where you can buy simple groceries, drinks, produce and such things as needles and thread which I needed to repair a torn bag.

We sat there for awhile watching the islanders go about their business.

Just before the general store is a small lane leading past the Anapoto church to the beach. We walked down there and watched the locals fishing for a while. The church is really beautiful!

Rimatara Birding With Guide Mooroa Tiraha

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Tara

As with Ua Huka in the Marquesas, Rimatara also has a superb birding guide who looks after the two endemic species – Rimatara Lorikeets and Oromao Rimatara Reed-Warbler. Mooroa Tiraha is not only a guide, he also works in biosecurity to keep the island free of black rats which would devastate the vulnerable birds. You can read more about him on the Manu website.

Here is Mooroa Tiraha picking us up in his truck first thing in the morning. He drove us down the road past the airport to a banana plantation. We were treated to a brilliant rainbow while still paled in comparison to the even more brilliant Rimatara Lorikeets. They were in no hurry to come out and have breakfast.

We waited, watched and listened and soon a few more came out and this time they came down to the banana trees near us!

I was probably less than 10 metres away from this one! In the past they had plenty to fear from humans but nowadays they are protected by law and a source of pride for the locals thanks to Queen Temaeva. A few more came down, there were about 12 in this area and more in the trees behind out of view.

They can be very playful and entertaining to watch!

My husband Ina chatting to a local. Then we both took photos with Mooroa.

This says it all!

Rimatara Lorikeets Coming In To Roost

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Tara

After taking the Circle Island Tour of Rimatara, it was time to get our first glimpse of the beautiful native Lorikeets. We already had a morning birding tour booked for the next day with the resident guide, Mooroa Tiraha so decided just to take a short walk towards Anapoto to the nearest banana patch. It didn’t take long before a pair of Lorikeets came down for a quick bite before settling in for the night. Having gotten my first close up photos, it was back to the bungalow to watch the sun set.

You can barely see an ‘oromao a.k.a. Rimatara Reed-warbler hiding in this tree!

He’s had enough so good night!

Circle Island Tour Of Rimatara

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Tara

Shortly after we arrived on Rimatara and checked in to La Perruche Rouge, the owner’s son took us on a tour of the island. The blue dot below shows the location of La Perruche Rouge just near the airport.

The first place we stopped was at a small general store where we were able to buy some t-shirts with Rimatara Lorikeets on them. The store doesn’t have a sign and would be easily missed if you didn’t know where it was in Amaru

As we drove through the town, I was really loving the bus stops with the Lorikeet motifs!

There is a small handicraft shop in Amaru. Unfortunately they sold products that would have been difficult to import to Australia. I wish they had paintings of the Lorikeets!

The cemetery is a short walk away towards the sea. This is where you find the grave of Queen Temaeva.

We continued driving clockwise around the island, passing more Lorikeet bus stops and churches. Even the stained glass windows in the church were in Lorikeet colours! I love how the residents of Rimatara really appreciate and care about their native bird!

Very quickly, we reached the next village of Motu’ura. Another pretty church, some nice beaches and a small snack bar. I wish I had known there was a snack bar before we came or I wouldn’t have brought food from Papeete!

Catch of the day!

We kept driving through the town of Anapoto which is walking distance from the lodge so we didn’t stop there.

And then back to our bungalow!

Temaeva – The Queen Who Saved A Species

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Tara

Lodge Review: La Perruche Rouge, Rimatara

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Tara

La Perruche Rouge (the Red Parakeet) grabbed my attention the minute I started seeking out accommodation on Rimatara. The website is in French but Google Translate is your friend! I was surprised how close it is to the airport, the access road is just 5 minutes up the road.

The lower level is where the Kato family (the owners) live and the reception/dining area. The guest bungalows are on the higher level.

Our bungalow

Small but clean bathroom. No kitchen or even a kettle but the family will boil water or heat up simple food for you in their kitchen.

The bungalow has a king sized bed and a single bed.

The bed linens are to die for! Embroidered Rimatara Lorikeets! Of course I wanted to buy some but they don’t have any extras for sale. Aline said she had them custom made in Bali. Next time I go there I have to look for embroidery shops!

Back at the reception/dining area. Meals are served family style and are very good! Most people have a demi-pension plan which includes breakfast and dinner.

Back at the bungalow we had a nice porch to relax on and enjoy the view!

You can book a variety of tours – birding of course and some cultural experiences. The “Decouverte de taro” one totally cracked me up – they were charging people to do what my husband has done for free in his family plantation since he was a kid growing up in Rarotonga! Still for a Western tourist it would be new and different. This was a fantastic little pension and the owners were lovely! I highly recommend a visit here. You need to book via their website and pay cash on arrival. Actually you can pay when you check out but I hate carrying cash around so chose to pay up front.

Rimatara – Rarely Visited Island Of French Polynesia

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Tara

Very few people make it out to Rimatara other than birders – which is a real shame. It may be small but it’s a beautiful, friendly island. The surprising thing is that it is geographically closer to Rarotonga (indicated by its capital Avarua) than to the capital of French Polynesia – Papeete. Although you can get to Papeete with miles, you will have to pay cash for this domestic flight.

Air Tahiti flies there on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I wanted a 3 night stay so out on Friday and back on Monday was the best option. If you are pressed for time or can only manage a 2 night stay, you will still see the Rimatara Lorikeets. The island is small and they are easy to see.

The first thing I noticed as we approached Rimatara is that the island is much flatter than the islands of the Marquesas.

The island has 3 small villages. I’ll give a more detailed tour of the island in a future post.

Once we arrived at the airport, we were met by our hostess and had a quick look around. I was really pleased to see how protective they are of their native birds!

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