Papeete market, June 2006

Papeete, on the island of Tahiti, is the capital of French Polynesia. The municipal market sells everything from fresh produce, to fish and meats, from clothing, to tourist trinkets. There are also a number of eating establishments, with everything from coco glacé to chow-mein-on-baguette sandwiches.

The best time to visit is early morning. There is a Champion supermarché just down the road, and it is open all day, but where is the fun in that?

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables on offer.

There is a sizeable number of Tahitians of Chinese origin.

The intersection of Gallic flair and local flora?

Cleaning out the guts with a garden hose.

Cutting off all the fins.

One good whack...

Fishmonger.