Looking for "Australes Islands" Info

Hello there!

Last October I have been to French Polynesia the first time (Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine & Bora Bora) and somehow fell in love with this part of the world.
Now I am planning my second trip to this region, and this time it shall be the Australes Islands.
Has anyone here ever been there? Can you give me some infos about Rurutu, Raivavae and Tubuai? Is the climate there really much different to Tahiti? And how about the infrastructure at the islands, like groceries or so?
Thanks for your help in advance!

Best greetings - Roman

P.S.: My (German languaged) French Polynesia Website, with some nice photos: www.weinzettl.tv/tahiti/

Your Web site is lovely, the fish photos are amazing, it's like you got them to pose for you.

Haven't been there myself. From what I've read the infrastructure seems to be pretty good on the Australs (they even have banks unlike some of the Tuamotus). Jan Prince, in her "Tahiti and French Polynesia Guide" writes that there are 9 magasins on Rurutu plus 3 bakeries. On Raivavae she reports a couple of old magasins with a poor selection of supplies. Tubai she says has 5 grocery stores and 2 bakeries. The pensions provide meals also.

On Raivavae it can get down to 10 C at night during their winter. Look at the last two posts on this thread. I like my tropics HOT.

Thanks for you post and infos about temperature and shops!
Yeah, the fishes were already waiting for me each morning, keen on getting photographed. ;-) Beeing serious, it wasn't easy, but worth the effort! And a 7megapixel photo allows you to zoom into the frame for web use.

When I was on Huahine I had one day bad weather with rain and wind, the night before and after this day was also quite cool; among others because the wind was going trough the hut quite intense.

Hi Roman

I went to Rurutu in 2003 to see the whales. If you are going to see humpbacks, the season is late July through Sepetmber. There are several pensions to stay at. Go to the Tahiti Traveller site for info.

I tried but failed to put in a link - just search on the above.

Only shopping is for local crafts. Nightlife is zip. DO go to church on Sundays - the singing is fabulous.

The whale watch operator did a wretched job IMHO but they are the only show in town. Otherwise snorkeling is not so good as the reef is very close in and water only 1 meter deep and less. The island is pretty, with interesting caves. Hopefully you have some French.

Feel free to email me at LTodd@co.humboldt.ca.us for more info.

Laura