The big excitement today was that we were buzzed by an RNZAF [?] New Zealand Air Force patrol plane about 3 PM. He was about 200 meters off the ocean and ran along our starboard bow in the same direction as we were sailing. [To NZ.] In reality he was saying hello and having a bit of fun. They knew this was not a boatload of refugees. Far from it, it is a boatload of the over-fed and the nearly-dead.
Both Australia and New Zealand monitor the approaches to their shores very closely. It is not uncommon for them to be less than generous to people trying to sneak into their back door illegally.
Other than that it was a very relaxing day at sea.
We joined Moe at her table tonight, [a formal night]. The family of four at her table had gone to the alternate dining room tonight and the other single lady opted out rather than get dressed up. As Moe would be alone she invited us to join her. Moe was a bit late in arriving and Fellette and I sat there rather alone with waiters and stewards wondering who in the heck we were. We also got the odd blank stare from some adjoining folks who looked like the end of the world was happening with a change in routine. I love it, because it breaks the routine that many people get set into, like cement! Finally Moe arrived. We apologized to the steward and waiter and asked if we could have our dinner in a bit of a hurry so we could go to Doug and Fellette's table for dessert.
This we did. It was great fun and after much small talk and many laughs we went our separate ways. Moe and Fellette to a Chick Flick movie, some to the Violinist, and me and others to the cabin to back up my pictures and do a blog etc.
Moe is seated at what I consider about the best table on the ship. It is right at the back centre of the dining room, the view is the wake of the ship and the horizon, I can actually see the curvature of the earth as we look out on the 180 degree panorama. We now have daylight right through dinnertime and it is glorious. The ceiling is low there and at a table for six, so you can actually hear your table companions. Fellette and I are at a table for eight with a 20 foot ceiling that looks like a scene from the Poseidon Adventure. No complaints, just an observation.
I understand that there is some snow at home. It is so easy to lose touch with reality when traveling like this.
I have asked Moe and Fellette to give some thought to writing a blog one day. Nothing in particular but putting down what they feel and would like to express to any readers. Do not hold your breath, but I will persist.
Auckland tomorrow. Cutlers doing walkabout, Moe on tour, D & F meeting with a church friend who now lives near Auckland.
Bits & Pieces...
I took a day off from my self-imposed regime today, slept in a bit, had a later breakfast, I am also skipping keep-fit, skipping Tai Chi and going to bible study instead with Fellette. I want the mental freedom from restraints that I put on my time here.
We went to the Magician last night. Corny but funny and some mysterious tricks. While waiting for the show to start I chatted with the man next to me, and asked him how his day in Tonga went. He said that he was in Tonga during the war when his ship was torpedoed and they pulled in for temporary repairs before heading back to the States for major repairs. It was the aircraft carrier Independence. He remembers high cliffs some 60 years ago. There are no cliffs on Tonga, it is flat. So, he was on an island that had Tonga in the name, but it not the island that we visited. Interesting.
Meanwhile, friends George and Ruth thought that they had never been to Tonga before, but yesterday while ashore they realized, "Yikes, we have been here before". Interesting.
We were informed this morning that the ship will NOT be stopping at Libya as scheduled. The Libyan government still makes it awkward for Americans to go ashore for a day trip in that country so it has been officially cancelled. It is a pity because we actually enjoy going to the places that are a bit off the regular beaten track. Plus, there are some of the best Roman Ruins in the world there.
We were informed that our good friend Luci from Canada Ticket, who is an avid traveller with us via the blog, had a kidney stone removed in a bit of a hurry recently. That is a pity, because we often save up some of the chocolates that we are given on the cruise, or we get otherwise for her. There is about a 50-50 chance that that little but terribly painful stone was caused by Luci's self-confessed need for a piece of chocolate DAlLY. I have enclosed a shot of the stash we have to date for her and other eager chocoholics! Hope you can enjoy them Luci!
lt is amazing how different people think of different things. An example: My sister Moe unlocks her cabin safe at night. Why you ask! So that if we have to take to the life boats in the middle of the night she can reach in and grab a few choice things pronto. She also puts her slippers UNDER the bed at night, [this is a habit from home]. Why you ask! So that in case of an earthquake any shattered glass will NOT be in her slippers when she jumps into them! Now at first I thought this odd, but it is not. It just never occurred to me.
Meanwhile... I have learned of another lady who sleeps in the nude but keeps a nighty in the bedside dresser, 'just in case'. All interesting stuff eh? [I told you this was bits & pieces.]
Fellette and I are changing our dinner seating tables in Sydney.
While doing that I also requested a table for six from Istanbul onward. That table being Moe, my niece Barbara (Moe’s daughter) who joins us there, Gail and Jim and Fellette and I. We may not get a table for six but hopefully we will all be at the same table.
The Pacific Islands are behind us and I believe most on board are a bit anxious to see New Zealand coming up in a couple of days. New Zealand is a very neat and tidy, well run, comfortable and scenic place to visit.
Up until now sister Moe has not ventured too far afield while on shore. Moe has two tours booked through the ship for the first two ports, Auckland and Wellington. The Cutlers and Robins are scouting out possible adventures in the two last ports in NZ in Auckland and each have separate complimentary tours in Wellington.
I have heard from long-time [1960 Europe] friend Keith Stafford of Melbourne. Keith and wife Jenny are going to meet us there and squire us, [Moe D & F] around for the day. I first met Keith while hosteling in Europe for 5/6 months in 1960. We have been pen-pals ever since and we have seen each other only four times in 48 years. [Or is it five Keith?] We stayed with Keith and Jenny for a few days past November while in Australia. Keith has a better memory than I do so I will give some more details on this relationship after we se them February 12th.
We went to the Magician last night. Corny but funny and some mysterious tricks. While waiting for the show to start I chatted with the man next to me, and asked him how his day in Tonga went. He said that he was in Tonga during the war when his ship was torpedoed and they pulled in for temporary repairs before heading back to the States for major repairs. It was the aircraft carrier Independence. He remembers high cliffs some 60 years ago. There are no cliffs on Tonga, it is flat. So, he was on an island that had Tonga in the name, but it not the island that we visited. Interesting.
Meanwhile, friends George and Ruth thought that they had never been to Tonga before, but yesterday while ashore they realized, "Yikes, we have been here before". Interesting.
We were informed this morning that the ship will NOT be stopping at Libya as scheduled. The Libyan government still makes it awkward for Americans to go ashore for a day trip in that country so it has been officially cancelled. It is a pity because we actually enjoy going to the places that are a bit off the regular beaten track. Plus, there are some of the best Roman Ruins in the world there.
We were informed that our good friend Luci from Canada Ticket, who is an avid traveller with us via the blog, had a kidney stone removed in a bit of a hurry recently. That is a pity, because we often save up some of the chocolates that we are given on the cruise, or we get otherwise for her. There is about a 50-50 chance that that little but terribly painful stone was caused by Luci's self-confessed need for a piece of chocolate DAlLY. I have enclosed a shot of the stash we have to date for her and other eager chocoholics! Hope you can enjoy them Luci!
lt is amazing how different people think of different things. An example: My sister Moe unlocks her cabin safe at night. Why you ask! So that if we have to take to the life boats in the middle of the night she can reach in and grab a few choice things pronto. She also puts her slippers UNDER the bed at night, [this is a habit from home]. Why you ask! So that in case of an earthquake any shattered glass will NOT be in her slippers when she jumps into them! Now at first I thought this odd, but it is not. It just never occurred to me.
Meanwhile... I have learned of another lady who sleeps in the nude but keeps a nighty in the bedside dresser, 'just in case'. All interesting stuff eh? [I told you this was bits & pieces.]
Fellette and I are changing our dinner seating tables in Sydney.
While doing that I also requested a table for six from Istanbul onward. That table being Moe, my niece Barbara (Moe’s daughter) who joins us there, Gail and Jim and Fellette and I. We may not get a table for six but hopefully we will all be at the same table.
The Pacific Islands are behind us and I believe most on board are a bit anxious to see New Zealand coming up in a couple of days. New Zealand is a very neat and tidy, well run, comfortable and scenic place to visit.
Up until now sister Moe has not ventured too far afield while on shore. Moe has two tours booked through the ship for the first two ports, Auckland and Wellington. The Cutlers and Robins are scouting out possible adventures in the two last ports in NZ in Auckland and each have separate complimentary tours in Wellington.
I have heard from long-time [1960 Europe] friend Keith Stafford of Melbourne. Keith and wife Jenny are going to meet us there and squire us, [Moe D & F] around for the day. I first met Keith while hosteling in Europe for 5/6 months in 1960. We have been pen-pals ever since and we have seen each other only four times in 48 years. [Or is it five Keith?] We stayed with Keith and Jenny for a few days past November while in Australia. Keith has a better memory than I do so I will give some more details on this relationship after we se them February 12th.
Six Hours in Tonga...
That's it folks, only six hours ashore. And it was enough. We had a fabulous time as usual when we are on our own little tours. The cabbie and the Cutlers and Robins. However six hours was about all the time that we could keep our interest up. It is not a big island, [one of 170 in the group].
High winds and currents plus an exposed wharf location cancelled the docking operation and it turned into a 'tender' day. A bit late getting off the ship but so what?
We were greeted by a bevy of worn out-taxis looking for a day's work. This is the poorest of the islands we were told, and by the looks of the taxis it was true. Our man 'Tai' was about 45 very pleasant and polite, five children, his wife, his church and his cab, that is is world. It was a well used Mazda van, imported second hand and then some from Asia, year of manufacture: unknown.
Our ship was the second that has visited Tonga this year! Last year they had six! The infrastructure is rudimentary, with well-potholed roads, and no traffic signs or lights. The people are very devout and in every village there are a few churches plus well cared for colourful graveyards. Bible schools and religious schools abound. It seems to be the main industry? Is that possible? Our driver took us to his village where we saw some women refurbishing a ceremonial tapa cloth rug used in ceremonies. Quite interesting. We also saw the product being made, very, very laborious.
We visited about all there is to see here, the flying foxes, the blowholes, the arch, the Royal Palace, the Royal Tombs and Captain Cooks landing place. We were back in town, which is a mix of commercial, business, residential, and government offices and schools in time for lunch.
The whole island is crawling with children, when we were in town, they were on their two hour lunch break. All dressed in uniforms and sparkling clean. lt seems to be a requirement that their long black hair is in pig-tails with the school colour ribbon in the ends, pinned to their blouses.
The King of Tonga is a bit like having a king of a town with 5,000 or 10,000 or so people. [I do not know the exact population of Tonga.]
The King has his palace and grounds, there are Royal Tombs galore, we passed the Royal Farms with amazingly healthy pure-bred cattle that all looked like blue ribbon winners. Meanwhile the people live in a dignified but poor environment. There are close associations with New Zealand and Australia. Yet I noticed a brand new and very impressive Red China Embassy there. Apparently Tonga is 'friendly' with China. Why? Does Tonga have oil, or coal, or cement?
Apparently there has been some movement towards a democracy in Tonga. We visited the graves of the leaders of that movement today.
On the drive around the island we came across three men trying to hoist a dead pig up onto a truck bed. The animal had been struck by a vehicle, we were told, and was being retrieved for food obviously. We are not sure if we aided and abetted a criminal act or not. Jim gave able assistance to it either way.
The excitement today, after a lunch ashore that was too big for us, including the most delicious milkshakes this year for three of us, was a purchase of sword-fish bill carvings by the boys. One of them bought one that will not fit in a suitcase and certainly cannot be carried on the plane. His initials are J C.
The other excitement was after admiring the blow-holes that stretch for miles actually was the torrential downpour that happened in about 8 seconds from nothing to absolute soaked-right-through! lt is amazing the shelter even a small tree provides in rain.
We chatted with a few people who had a less than successful day in Tonga. One group apparently ended up pushing their bus. Maybe we were lucky today, it was great!
High winds and currents plus an exposed wharf location cancelled the docking operation and it turned into a 'tender' day. A bit late getting off the ship but so what?
We were greeted by a bevy of worn out-taxis looking for a day's work. This is the poorest of the islands we were told, and by the looks of the taxis it was true. Our man 'Tai' was about 45 very pleasant and polite, five children, his wife, his church and his cab, that is is world. It was a well used Mazda van, imported second hand and then some from Asia, year of manufacture: unknown.
Our ship was the second that has visited Tonga this year! Last year they had six! The infrastructure is rudimentary, with well-potholed roads, and no traffic signs or lights. The people are very devout and in every village there are a few churches plus well cared for colourful graveyards. Bible schools and religious schools abound. It seems to be the main industry? Is that possible? Our driver took us to his village where we saw some women refurbishing a ceremonial tapa cloth rug used in ceremonies. Quite interesting. We also saw the product being made, very, very laborious.
We visited about all there is to see here, the flying foxes, the blowholes, the arch, the Royal Palace, the Royal Tombs and Captain Cooks landing place. We were back in town, which is a mix of commercial, business, residential, and government offices and schools in time for lunch.
The whole island is crawling with children, when we were in town, they were on their two hour lunch break. All dressed in uniforms and sparkling clean. lt seems to be a requirement that their long black hair is in pig-tails with the school colour ribbon in the ends, pinned to their blouses.
The King of Tonga is a bit like having a king of a town with 5,000 or 10,000 or so people. [I do not know the exact population of Tonga.]
The King has his palace and grounds, there are Royal Tombs galore, we passed the Royal Farms with amazingly healthy pure-bred cattle that all looked like blue ribbon winners. Meanwhile the people live in a dignified but poor environment. There are close associations with New Zealand and Australia. Yet I noticed a brand new and very impressive Red China Embassy there. Apparently Tonga is 'friendly' with China. Why? Does Tonga have oil, or coal, or cement?
Apparently there has been some movement towards a democracy in Tonga. We visited the graves of the leaders of that movement today.
On the drive around the island we came across three men trying to hoist a dead pig up onto a truck bed. The animal had been struck by a vehicle, we were told, and was being retrieved for food obviously. We are not sure if we aided and abetted a criminal act or not. Jim gave able assistance to it either way.
The excitement today, after a lunch ashore that was too big for us, including the most delicious milkshakes this year for three of us, was a purchase of sword-fish bill carvings by the boys. One of them bought one that will not fit in a suitcase and certainly cannot be carried on the plane. His initials are J C.
The other excitement was after admiring the blow-holes that stretch for miles actually was the torrential downpour that happened in about 8 seconds from nothing to absolute soaked-right-through! lt is amazing the shelter even a small tree provides in rain.
We chatted with a few people who had a less than successful day in Tonga. One group apparently ended up pushing their bus. Maybe we were lucky today, it was great!
Rained Out in Samoa...
Yep, it was a rainy day in Paradise today. The last two days actually have been grey, but humid. This morning we were pulling in to Apia, Samoa at 6 AM to a day that looked like March in Vancouver. [Not a pretty sight.]
The Cutlers and Robins had planned a walk to town, about 3/4 mile and then maybe get a cab and go and see Robert Louis Stevenson's Estate.
We made it to town in fits and starts between showers and torrential downpours. We made a few stops, at the cathedral, some shops and the market. The sidewalks were crowded with people huddling under overhangs and awnings and the route was a minefield of puddles and ankle deep pools of water.
We soon realized that Samoa was a washout for us. We did spend some time in Aggie Grey's Hotel for a warming tea and coffee. Aggie Greys is a bit of a legend in Samoa, starting as a hamburger joint for American GI's during World War 2. lt has evolved into a top flight Hotel complex, almost a South Pacific "Raffles" Hotel, or the "Norfolk" in Nairobi. Uniformed door greeters and sofas in the lobby etc. The dining room looked fit for a Queen. Coffee and tea for four $8.00.
We found ourselves back on the ship for a change of clothes and a hot shower, before lunch. The local entertainment came on board for lunch, about 40 young Samoans and their chaperones. They toured the ship and then had lunch in the up top cafeteria. Unlimited cookies, ice cream and soft drinks, besides having a run at the sumptuous buffet. They were well behaved but could not believe the amount of food available to chose from. The two Samoans with Fellette were part of the musician aspect of the group.
This is the rainy season and it has rained for a week with yesterday the worst of all. Somehow it put a bit of a pall on our day. That pall was lifted however at 4 PM when the Christian Youth Group from a local church entertained us for an hour with a very soulful series of dances, chants and songs. One little five year old did a solo of ''Lord l Lift Your Name on High" to a very hushed group of ageing grandparents!
Samoa is very much a Christian Nation, more so than many island countries and most larger civilized nations. The people are a very handsome lot and extremely friendly, polite and gracious. We would get smiles and hellos from passer-by's, much more so than at home.
Tonight we have two hours of Sunday, then at 2 AM we move our clocks forward 24 hours to Monday!
We are now on what I say is "Australian Time" inasmuch as we are WEST of the dateline. We still have several time changes before Australia but you get the drift. My blog postings could appear at a different time unless Craig makes an adjustment to when he uploads it.
Pictures give you some idea of our day. That is Jim and the girls waiting across the street in the rain as I got some prints made in a local photo shop.
One day at sea and then the last stop before New Zealand, Tonga.
[The carved bowl is for practical purposes, Fellette says she can use a new salad bowl].
The Cutlers and Robins had planned a walk to town, about 3/4 mile and then maybe get a cab and go and see Robert Louis Stevenson's Estate.
We made it to town in fits and starts between showers and torrential downpours. We made a few stops, at the cathedral, some shops and the market. The sidewalks were crowded with people huddling under overhangs and awnings and the route was a minefield of puddles and ankle deep pools of water.
We soon realized that Samoa was a washout for us. We did spend some time in Aggie Grey's Hotel for a warming tea and coffee. Aggie Greys is a bit of a legend in Samoa, starting as a hamburger joint for American GI's during World War 2. lt has evolved into a top flight Hotel complex, almost a South Pacific "Raffles" Hotel, or the "Norfolk" in Nairobi. Uniformed door greeters and sofas in the lobby etc. The dining room looked fit for a Queen. Coffee and tea for four $8.00.
We found ourselves back on the ship for a change of clothes and a hot shower, before lunch. The local entertainment came on board for lunch, about 40 young Samoans and their chaperones. They toured the ship and then had lunch in the up top cafeteria. Unlimited cookies, ice cream and soft drinks, besides having a run at the sumptuous buffet. They were well behaved but could not believe the amount of food available to chose from. The two Samoans with Fellette were part of the musician aspect of the group.
This is the rainy season and it has rained for a week with yesterday the worst of all. Somehow it put a bit of a pall on our day. That pall was lifted however at 4 PM when the Christian Youth Group from a local church entertained us for an hour with a very soulful series of dances, chants and songs. One little five year old did a solo of ''Lord l Lift Your Name on High" to a very hushed group of ageing grandparents!
Samoa is very much a Christian Nation, more so than many island countries and most larger civilized nations. The people are a very handsome lot and extremely friendly, polite and gracious. We would get smiles and hellos from passer-by's, much more so than at home.
Tonight we have two hours of Sunday, then at 2 AM we move our clocks forward 24 hours to Monday!
We are now on what I say is "Australian Time" inasmuch as we are WEST of the dateline. We still have several time changes before Australia but you get the drift. My blog postings could appear at a different time unless Craig makes an adjustment to when he uploads it.
Pictures give you some idea of our day. That is Jim and the girls waiting across the street in the rain as I got some prints made in a local photo shop.
One day at sea and then the last stop before New Zealand, Tonga.
[The carved bowl is for practical purposes, Fellette says she can use a new salad bowl].
The International Dateline...
The world is round, [surprise], and divided into 24 time zones. When this system was in the making, the 'centre' of the time zone was established at Greenwich near London. Therefore the 'end' of the time zone was 12 hours [east or west] of Greenwich. That happens to fall in the Pacific Ocean just a bit east of New Zealand. It should be a straight line from the north to south, but in effect it wiggles a bit so some island countries are not in two time zones.
So, what happens when you cross the dateline? That depends which way you are going, east or west.
Tonight, at 2:00 AM we will ADVANCE OUR CLOCKS 24 HOURS. That moves us into the next date [day]. We just happen to be at or near the dateline in a ship at night so the captain can do it then. If we were crossing in daylight it could be done anytime.
Because we are doing it at night there will not be a photo of the dateline.
The day that was 'lost or gained' [east bound or west bound], is an accumulation of the hours that were 'lost or gained' while travelling around the world or a portion of it.
End of the lesson, there will be an oral exam, later.
E.&O.E.
Today we are in Samoa, not American Samoa, or Western Samoa as it is currently called, but Samoa, as informed by our lecturer now on board.
So, what happens when you cross the dateline? That depends which way you are going, east or west.
Tonight, at 2:00 AM we will ADVANCE OUR CLOCKS 24 HOURS. That moves us into the next date [day]. We just happen to be at or near the dateline in a ship at night so the captain can do it then. If we were crossing in daylight it could be done anytime.
Because we are doing it at night there will not be a photo of the dateline.
The day that was 'lost or gained' [east bound or west bound], is an accumulation of the hours that were 'lost or gained' while travelling around the world or a portion of it.
End of the lesson, there will be an oral exam, later.
E.&O.E.
Today we are in Samoa, not American Samoa, or Western Samoa as it is currently called, but Samoa, as informed by our lecturer now on board.
People on Board...
WOW! Where do I start? I find that people are one of the most interesting aspects of shipboard life. I am a 'people person', inasmuch as I enjoy being with them, and, unfortunately, trying to figure them out.
I have found that all-in-all, most people are friendly and usually interesting. Sometimes when you start a conversation with somebody you 'click' with them, good vibes. With others, the conversation is 'strained' and a bit uncomfortable. Now, this is what makes it interesting, those people may be very nice, but feel a bit uncomfortable with strangers, or, even have a bit of trouble making casual conversation. So do not write them off, I try to engage them more, or later, before casting them on to my mental 'rubbish pile' of people that I will not waste my time and energy on.
Sometimes on first encounter people will appear stunned or glazed. I find that there are a few people whose natural state is 'stunned or glazed'. I do not enjoy being in their company. Some people are a little surprised that a stranger will talk to them out of the blue. There are also people who have issues, physical or mental that really are not interested in making conversation at this time. These people I feel sorry for and put to one side, near my rubbish pile unfortunately.
Again, sometimes there are people that I just cannot figure out. A bewilderment to me. They are what I call complicated, too much work to keep up with them and also uncertain whether I want them in my life. I have encountered one such so far and give them a wide berth.
Have you ever met somebody and in the first few minutes, they have told you all about themselves, medically, financially, and too much personal information, but never asked a word about you? Onto the rubbish heap, pronto!
We seem to gravitate to folks who possess a few of the following traits, happy, honest, interested in you, and polite. Happy is probably the most important. Being around an unhappy person is very, very tiring and downright depressing. And there are some people that will NEVER be happy. To the rubbish heap!
And l am not naïve enough to think that we are not judged by others and are sitting on some people's rubbish heaps.
So, our quest continues...
Our time is now three hours behind pacific time. Close to the dateline.
I have found that all-in-all, most people are friendly and usually interesting. Sometimes when you start a conversation with somebody you 'click' with them, good vibes. With others, the conversation is 'strained' and a bit uncomfortable. Now, this is what makes it interesting, those people may be very nice, but feel a bit uncomfortable with strangers, or, even have a bit of trouble making casual conversation. So do not write them off, I try to engage them more, or later, before casting them on to my mental 'rubbish pile' of people that I will not waste my time and energy on.
Sometimes on first encounter people will appear stunned or glazed. I find that there are a few people whose natural state is 'stunned or glazed'. I do not enjoy being in their company. Some people are a little surprised that a stranger will talk to them out of the blue. There are also people who have issues, physical or mental that really are not interested in making conversation at this time. These people I feel sorry for and put to one side, near my rubbish pile unfortunately.
Again, sometimes there are people that I just cannot figure out. A bewilderment to me. They are what I call complicated, too much work to keep up with them and also uncertain whether I want them in my life. I have encountered one such so far and give them a wide berth.
Have you ever met somebody and in the first few minutes, they have told you all about themselves, medically, financially, and too much personal information, but never asked a word about you? Onto the rubbish heap, pronto!
We seem to gravitate to folks who possess a few of the following traits, happy, honest, interested in you, and polite. Happy is probably the most important. Being around an unhappy person is very, very tiring and downright depressing. And there are some people that will NEVER be happy. To the rubbish heap!
And l am not naïve enough to think that we are not judged by others and are sitting on some people's rubbish heaps.
So, our quest continues...
Our time is now three hours behind pacific time. Close to the dateline.
Bora Bora by 4 x 4...
That is what we did today. We were off the ship by 8:15, another tender port so we waited patiently for our number to be called.
On the dock we looked anxiously for somebody who would satisfy our search for a four wheel drive of Bora Bora. The island is only 18 miles around the perimeter so we are not talking a great deal of territory to cover. We were successful with a woman who located a driver for us and we are off, just like that.
After a short drive along the coast road we soon turned off the blacktop and up the nastiest piece of creek bed I have ever driven or been on in a vehicle. Land Rovers are tough as nails. We four in the back were somewhat surprised by the roughness of the trail we were on. It was two hands holding on and feet braced as much as we could.
Soon we were up into the hills and vistas galore. The water and islands look like something out of a fairy tale book when seen from above.
Our driver 'Coco' was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English.
Over the course of the three hours we circumnavigated the whole island and went up to the three main observation points on it. Throughout the island are remnants of WWII in the form of very large artillery pieces, now just covered in graffiti.
It was a very hard-riding day, even on the paved roads. It seems that everything is either under construction or being renovated. There are no high rises, somebody said one of the by-laws was that no building could be higher than a tree. Makes sense to me.
We asked to be dropped off at a restaurant so we could get a bite to eat. Our waiter, a very handsome man told us a little about his time as a pearl diver, he said this is a 'much nicer job', an understatement.
That lunch took three hours between the meal and the swim[s] and a relaxing time under a shade tree. Some of us read, some of us paddled and some of us slept. Back on 'La Truck', the local bus/truck that circles the island and back to the tender area.
Time for a quick 'shop-around' and back into our A/C room to do the shower and photo thing. We were in port with another Holland America ship, the Ryndam today.
Yesterday there were three ships, plus, there are scads of lovely beach hotels, many four and five star resorts. I suspect that the island can draw from America, Australia, NZ, and of course the mother-land France/Europe. The place is very cosmopolitan and a truly international place.
I cannot be a judge of course with only a day in each but I would rate them in order of Moorea, Bora Bora and then Tahiti.
Moe went ashore and strolled a bit around town. She disposed of her Polynesian Francs today as this is the last 'French' Island. Western Samoa in two days, and that is an independent state, not related to any major power.
All-in-all it was a great day in paradise for the Cutlers and Robins!
On the dock we looked anxiously for somebody who would satisfy our search for a four wheel drive of Bora Bora. The island is only 18 miles around the perimeter so we are not talking a great deal of territory to cover. We were successful with a woman who located a driver for us and we are off, just like that.
After a short drive along the coast road we soon turned off the blacktop and up the nastiest piece of creek bed I have ever driven or been on in a vehicle. Land Rovers are tough as nails. We four in the back were somewhat surprised by the roughness of the trail we were on. It was two hands holding on and feet braced as much as we could.
Soon we were up into the hills and vistas galore. The water and islands look like something out of a fairy tale book when seen from above.
Our driver 'Coco' was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English.
Over the course of the three hours we circumnavigated the whole island and went up to the three main observation points on it. Throughout the island are remnants of WWII in the form of very large artillery pieces, now just covered in graffiti.
It was a very hard-riding day, even on the paved roads. It seems that everything is either under construction or being renovated. There are no high rises, somebody said one of the by-laws was that no building could be higher than a tree. Makes sense to me.
We asked to be dropped off at a restaurant so we could get a bite to eat. Our waiter, a very handsome man told us a little about his time as a pearl diver, he said this is a 'much nicer job', an understatement.
That lunch took three hours between the meal and the swim[s] and a relaxing time under a shade tree. Some of us read, some of us paddled and some of us slept. Back on 'La Truck', the local bus/truck that circles the island and back to the tender area.
Time for a quick 'shop-around' and back into our A/C room to do the shower and photo thing. We were in port with another Holland America ship, the Ryndam today.
Yesterday there were three ships, plus, there are scads of lovely beach hotels, many four and five star resorts. I suspect that the island can draw from America, Australia, NZ, and of course the mother-land France/Europe. The place is very cosmopolitan and a truly international place.
I cannot be a judge of course with only a day in each but I would rate them in order of Moorea, Bora Bora and then Tahiti.
Moe went ashore and strolled a bit around town. She disposed of her Polynesian Francs today as this is the last 'French' Island. Western Samoa in two days, and that is an independent state, not related to any major power.
All-in-all it was a great day in paradise for the Cutlers and Robins!
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