Polynesia: Instructions for Use (2009 revision) - Banks, Telecommunications and Luggage

BANKS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The official currency in French Polynesia is the Pacific Franc, which you'll find abbreviated as Fcp or Xpf. The fixed exchange rate with the Euro is 119.33 (for those who aren't at ease with maths: to go from Fcp to Euro just divide by 119.33, and from Euro to Fcp just multiply by 119.33). The Euro is frequently accepted as payment, but try to always carry local currency with you: it is a form of respect for the country hosting you, and if need be you can always convert them back before departure at the airport. Before long the Euro should also be introduced here as a circulating currency (currently they speak of 2011), because the Pacific Franc is not an international currency and is only exchanged here in Polynesia: it's like Monopoly money. Credit cards are well accepted in the big centres, but certainly not to pay for a boat excursion or a shell necklace at a craft centre.

The most widespread, accepted and used credit card is Visa; far less so the others, and in particular American Express. To withdraw money from ATMs in Polynesia, check that you have the international PIN and, once again, with the Visa circuit there are usually fewer problems. Insist with your bank, because in most cases it will tell you that the PIN you have is perfectly fine abroad too: that isn't always the case! It is more convenient to make one withdrawal or exchange of a larger sum than many small withdrawals: you'll have far more exchange or withdrawal fees. The dollar is also normally accepted, given the influx of Americans who, being Americans, never convert into Fcp and consider their currency universal. It is nevertheless exchanged poorly and reluctantly if you are not American. In any case, bring some cash in Euros.

To communicate, you can use the phone box, both to call and to be called. Mobile phones with an Italian operator normally work, but the one that to date (Dec. 2008) has always worked is Vodafone. Tim and the others have on several occasions given connection problems: I can't tell you why, but that's the fact of the matter. It isn't convenient to use it for calling, given the cost of roaming, but for texts it's fine. Check carefully with your operator before leaving. Usually MMS don't work. If you expect to phone often because of anxious mums or problems you've left behind in Italy, it is more convenient to buy a Vini Card at the post office with its local number, and then you can use the international prepaid phone cards available here. Once you've left for Italy you can resell the Vini Card to someone about to leave, just post it on the various travel forums.

Internet is still very expensive in internet cafés; we're talking about 40/50 euro cents per minute, and until a few weeks ago connections were around 30/40 Kb nominal if all goes well and the line doesn't drop. A few months ago ADSL arrived, running at around 400Kb, but not everywhere yet. If you can't do without it, you know what you'll find! LUGGAGE

Air traffic becomes heavier every year and, on long journeys like the one that will take you to Polynesia, you'll make at least 3 stopovers in addition to the internal ones between one island and another. Your luggage will follow your route in 90-95% of cases. About that 5-10% of cases, it's useful to prepare for that eventuality by putting in your hand luggage the bare minimum to "survive" a few days: swimsuit, shorts, t-shirt, a change of underwear etc., but without overdoing it. Another tip that has proved useful in some cases is to choose luggage that is "visible" and "easy to spot". Most luggage is a colour somewhere between grey and black: yellow or red luggage is easily recognised or, in any case, you can attach a coloured ribbon or a striking sticker. It's up to you! Avoid, if possible, luggage that already weighs 5kg or more when empty and is needlessly bulky.

Airlines are ever stricter about maximum luggage weights and excess is paid for dearly. My personal statistics, based on more than a hundred couples who have come to Polynesia, tell me that at least 50% of the luggage returns to Italy just as it was packed at departure: Never Used!!! Anyway, even on what does get used, allow me a tip dictated by the experience of these years. Don't bring those huge, heavy chenille/sponge beach towels: they easily soak up seawater and never really dry. A pareo is better, and if you really must dry yourself, use a small "honeycomb" towel: both dry easily in the sun, and if you want to wash them in fresh water, washing and drying them takes no time. The excellent choice of one couple can serve as an example. Two bathrobes and two small microfibre towels, all in a small plastic container like the one that holds 3 tennis balls.

I'm not advertising brands, but they are easily found in sports shops. Most items of clothing can be rolled up on themselves like a salami: believe me, they take up little space, are easier to stow and when you unroll them they'll certainly be less creased than those laid out carefully in the suitcase. Try it to believe it!!! One last consideration. It's a trip to a tropical country where you'll spend most of your time in a swimsuit, and between sea baths and showers you won't have time to get anything very dirty, and if you really need an extra t-shirt or a pareo, buy them here: in any case they'll remain a lovely souvenir of the trip. I'm putting this recommendation in the luggage chapter because it's now part of it. Nowadays everyone uses a digital camera and/or video camera; probably you too. Don't forget to bring enough memory cards as well as spare batteries with their charger.

It weighs almost nothing, so also bring the USB cable to download your photos... you never know. If you don't have an underwater housing, don't forget to take some disposable cameras or similar: you'll get some lovely shots snorkelling in the lagoon. I know perfectly well that after reading these lines you'll still cram the unlikeliest things into your suitcase, but it costs little to give a bit of advice.