Day 22-sea day-4 sea days till New Zealand

Day #23--sea day 4 sea days till the Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

I had an active day with Qi Jong, walking a mile around deck, a lecture on the peoples of the South Pacific---(Polynesians, Melanesians, and Micronesians), a tour of the ship's floral arrangements, both trivia games, and of course, 3 meals, fun ballroom dancing, and a production show of Elton-John themed music and dance. I am truly disappointed with the design of the shows, the weakest I have seen. The singers borderline skilled and there are only 3 female and 2 male dancers. The overall quality of the production is lackluster.

After winning trivia, we discovered a contest many had been playing since yesterday evening: list all of the names of bands with a one word name. Even though we began one day later, only 2 hours before time to turn it in, obsession and focus helped us produce 150 group names including Aerosmith, Abba, Journey, Bangles, Oasis, Platters, Wham, Jacksons, Stylistics, Eurthymics, Monkeys, and more.  We won 30 DAM dollars, the most at any seating.  I love thinking games that draw upon my knowledge of pop culture.

It was slightly cooler today, devoid of humidity.  I signed up for a kayaking tour in Bay of Islands, our next port of call.

I danced until the Ocean Bar closed and had a nice conversation with Robert S. (from Idaho) the gentleman host dancer. He has danced on several world cruises including this ship and a Crystal Cruise ship.  He found out about gentlemen hosts positions almost by accident.  Several years ago, he stepped in to serve as a dance contest partner (on very short notice) for a friend whose original partner did not show up. They later discovered the other gentleman had died. That man, Bob learned, had been a gentleman host dancer.  Having retired, Bob decided to explore this opportunity so he brushed up on his ballroom dance steps and made the right phone calls to agencies.

Bob told me about his careers. First he was a respiratory therapist then grew tired of that. He taught sciences for 5 years (6 courses at a time) and found the workload grueling and overwhelming. His work was never done with grading papers and designing coursework.

He also worked in several African nations including Ghana, Sudan, and Chad. I will ask him to elaborate on his time in Africa later. He said as a child, he always wanted to go to Africa.

I look forward to 3 more relaxing yet activity-filled sea days.

French Polynesia

French Polynesia, is an overseas collectivity of France, comprises 118 dispersed islands in the South Pacific, stretching for more than 2,000 miles. Divided into 5 island groups: the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society and Tuamotu archipelagos, they're known for their coral-fringed lagoons and over-the-water bungalows. The islands also encompass white- and black-sand beaches, mountains, rugged backcountry and towering waterfalls.

 

First explored by Europe’s Ferdinand Magellan, in 1521, the Spanish, British, Dutch, and French all vied for possession.  It was declared a French protectorate in 1842. Catholic Missionaries began conversion within months of colonization.

 

French is the official language of French Polynesia

 

The Society Islands archipelago is composed of two separate groups, geographically and administratively: 1) the Windward Islands which include Tahiti, Moorea and Mehetia, and 2) The Leeward Islands that include Bora Bora, Huahine, and Raiatea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this cruise, we visited Nuku Hiva, in The Marquesas Islands; Tahiti and Moorea, in the Society Islands; and Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Islands.

 

Day 20--Moorea (Paradise)

Cruise World-Day 20--Moorea (Paradise)

This morning at 5AM, our ship left Papeete, Tahiti and sailed 12 miles to one of it's sister Society Islands, Moorea.

There is a long standing debate among those who visit French Polynesia: is Moorea or Bora Bora the most beautiful. I dont have the answer but I cannot imagine beauty that surpasses that of Moorea.

With its jagged mountains, deep bays, and emerald lagoons, the volcanic island is surrounded by a large coral reef. 

After enjoying breathtaking views during the sail in, I took the first tender in and sought out the tour operator from whom I booked a tour yesterday (in Tahiti).



7 of us joined the combo tour guide and driver, Delores, for a 3-hour tour around this beautiful island. She is a native who gave a comprehensive tour in flawless English. (I had hoped for a real tour yesterday but alas we merely had a driver who stopped at various scenic and historic sites.)

Sites we visited as we headed westward than south from Opunohu Bay, were: 



Several pristine beaches, stunning Cooks Bay, sacred sites with ancient maraes, several scenic lookout points, over the water bungalows views, passes, and Belvedere Point with stunning views of the panorama of the valley and bays on either side of Mount Rotui. 



This is one of the most enchantingly beautiful and tranquil places I have ever visited. (so far, everyone to whom I have spoken agrees this is their favorite island).

Many claim the Cooks and Opunohu are the world's most gorgeous bodies of water and often photographed. They are even used in Hollywood film settings.

Here are a few facts we learned from Delores along with some of my observations:

Moorea is pronounced in 4 syllables. It stands for yellow gecko.

There are only 13 letters in the Polynesian alphabet.

Many residents make the daily Moorea to Papeete commute.

There breathtaking views from throughout of the iconic mountains.

People sell fruits at road side stands.

For its 16,000 residents, there are 5 gas stations, 1 hospital, 3 pharmacies, 7 elementary schools, and 2 junior high schools on the island.

They export fish, flowers, vanilla and no no.

They host 200,000 tourists per year vs Fiji's 1 million. 120 ships per year stop here.

Of the 118 French Polynesian islands, 67 are inhabited. Only 12 people (a family) live on the smallest.

I find it disturbing that some families in French Polynesia send their sons to China to have them castrated at the age 6. They believe these "he-shes" make better workers in the hospitality industry.  

I look forward to my next visit to this island paradise!

Tonight's big game show in the Queens Lounge was “Majority Rules”. The rule of play is similar to that of family feud. There must have been at least 100 teams at play. I played with Asia, her parents, and a woman who left her husband in the hospital in Tahiti, yesterday. She hopes he will reunite with her on the ship in New Zealand. SMH!  I still cannot wrap my brain around that one. How can you leave your husband on an island in French Polynesia?

Tahiti-Finally Day#19

Day#19---Tahiti

Finally, I reached Tahiti, a long-time bucket list destination. This makes 87 nations I have visited.

Tahiti is part of The Society Islands, along with Bora Bora and Moorea, and is the center of modern French Polynesian culture. It was here that Fletcher Christian staged his mutiny (of Captain Bligh) on the Bounty in 1789.

This morning, I set my alarm so I could watch the sunrise!!  I was so excited to finally visit Tahiti!!

As always, I was up on deck for the sail-in. The clear blue skies and enticing emerald water was a welcoming site!

Several colorful groups performed song and dance routines right outside the ship and in the outdoor cultural center adjacent to the port. Their smiles were welcoming and they handed us flowers as we spproached.

There was a also a sizable crafts market just outside the ship. I finally settled on a lovely tourquoise woven necklace with a flower mother of pearl pendant for 500 FPF ($5).

I began this Saturday with a morning visit to the Grand Marche (market) which is a feast for senses with multicolored flower leis and sarongs, delicate pearls, woven hats and purses, souvenirs, woven mother of pearl accessories, spices, vanilla, and the bountiful food section including fish, indigenous fruits, and other local produce. 

I was amazed to see women with entire floral set ups all over, weaving beautiful leis and flower crowns.

After visiting the shops surrounding the grand market, I returned to the port to seek out tours operated by locals.

I signed up for a Moorea tour for the next day and found a Tahiti circle tour ($50 pp for 4 hours) leaving in 15 minutes. Our driver drove the complete circle and made stops at scenic and historically significant points along the way.  The island is lush and green with a small but beautiful botanical garden and a series of inviting caves.  The waterfall and blowhole were 2 of my favorite stops.

We saw people selling fish along the roadside and many bicycle riders.

Back in town, I left the tour early to walk around town and explore some of the stately neo-colonial administration buildings. I tried to use paid WIFI in the market but my photos would not upload.

Alas, I resorted to using my data and almost blew through my global data package.

Back on the ship there was a big Polynesian Bar B Que dinner poolside and a professional Polynesian dance team performed our evening show.  It was a colorful, energetic performance.

Sadly, our team of 5 Polynesian teachers, dancers, musicians, and arts  and crafts instructors would leave the ship the next day after having spent two weeks with us.  

Although I was exhausted, since our ship stayed overnight, I decided to check out the food truck scene outside the port.  I had heard a lot about it but was disappointed there was not more fanfare. I left early and went to bed.

Our ship left Papeete the next morning at 5AM for Moorea, only 12 miles away.

Day 18-Rangiora, French Polynesia

Cruise World-Day18- Rangiora, French Polynesia


Today we visited Rangiora, French Polynesia's largest atoll, known for its white sand, black pearls, and multihued blue lagoon, the 2nd largest in the world. Lush, unspoiled Rangiora is part of the Tuamotu Islands, an archipelago of 77 atolls.

As always, I was up on deck for the sail-in as we dropped anchor in the vast bright turquoise lagoon. The clear blue skies and calm water brought a smile to all those on deck. We watched another ship navigate the narrow strip between the two passes that connect the lagoon to the ocean. It was the Oceania Marina on a 17-day from San Diego to Tahiti.

I took a 9:15AM tender into Avatoru, the only town.  I explored the circular island on foot along the paved road lined with homes, churches, tiny shops, and a few island-style government buildings. Here life's pace has slowed to a halt--even the dogs prefer napping to other activities. The island is laid back and the people are warm; each time a resident passed me, they shouted "bonjour!"  Front yards of houses featured bicycles, boats, colorful laundry lines, plastic chairs, and even ladies selling shell jewelry. I bought a long shell necklace for 300 French Tahitian Francs ($3ish). 

The sound of roosters crowing could be heard throughout the island.  I saw few motorists in 4-wheel drives--mostly they bicycle everywhere. The church steeple peaks out above the trees and can even be seen from our moored ship. I felt moments of bliss as I explored this sweet destination. 

Musicians performed as we disembarked the tender boat.  They waved good bye as we departed.

I couldn't live here but I could certainly spend a few days here from time to time, disconnecting from life's demands.

After the sail-away party, a group of us spent 2 hours chasing the sunset. The ship's maneuver out of the passage was entertaining.

They showed the film, South Pacific, in the theatre 3X.