French Polynesia June 30 to July 22
Tahiti, French Polynesia cruise, and Bora Bora
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Click on the photo above for video of South Pacific cruise
We arrived in Papeete at 11:00 PM. We were taken to the Intercontinental Hotel. Since we had not slept on the plane we slept well and were surprisingly feeling well. We spent the following 3 days lounging around the hotel and eating at the buffet restaurant. On the last night, we enjoyed the “romantic dinner” included in our hotel package. We did venture into the clean but third-world looking town center for lunch and a look at the local market. However, we were unable to find anything to buy other than some straw hats.
The next day after lunch, we excitedly boarded our boat looking forward to the wonderful food and luxurious accommodations. After we boarded, we motored the 17 miles to Moorea. That afternoon we explored the harbor on the boat’s jet skis. Afterward, we had a festive 4th of July celebration. The next morning we tried on our snorkeling gear and tested it out. For snorkeling after lunch, we all boarded one of the tenders for a short ride to a shallow area with coral and interesting fish.
The next morning, July 6th, we raised anchor and sailed to Maroe Bay in Huahine Island, the cradle of Polynesian culture. After lunch, we went snorkeling and did a tender ride exploring one side of the island. The next morning after breakfast we took the tender through the bay that divides the island in half to a beautiful uninhabited beach for more snorkeling and relaxation in the sun. We enjoyed it so much that we returned after lunch. After more time on the beach, we explored that side of the island.
On the 8th we sailed to Taha'a arguably the quietest of the Society Islands. It's surrounded by a vast lagoon between the island and the barrier reef and a vast number and variety of fish. We visited a black pearl farm and learned about raising oysters for pearls. The snorkeling was nothing less than spectacular. There small but beautiful beaches to relax on while recovering from the exhilarating snorkeling.
After a day and a half on the 10th, we sailed to Bora Bora. The approach to the island was beautiful. It is surrounded by barrier reef but seemed to be further away from the island providing a large lagoon of protected water. In contrast, the island had mountains with steep roughed sides.
That afternoon we took four wheel vehicles for sightseeing. They were needed to navigate the steep, primitive roads. In contrast to the views from water, pretty beaches, spectacular coral formations, and colorful tropical fish, none of the islands other than Moorea seem to have much of interest. The most obvious difference from other undeveloped countries is their cleanliness and friendly inhabitants.
The following day we enjoyed pretty beaches and the most beautiful snorkeling of the cruise with spectacular large coral heads, large schools of all kinds of tropical fish, eels, and rays. That night we headed ashore for a delicious dinner at "Bloody Mary’s”. Again on the following day, we explored another beach and enjoyed more great snorkeling. Some of us had an incredible tender ride during which we got incredible views and photos of the powerful Pacific waves crashing on the barrier reef.
On the following day, the 13th, we cruised to Rautoanui Passe, Raiatea Island. We spent the afternoon snorkeling and enjoying another Beach. The next day after breakfast, we cruised to Avapeihi Passe, Huahini Island which is the opposite side of the island from where we were on the 6th. After lunch, we split and some of us went snorkeling and the rest went into the small town to shop.
The next day, the 15th, we made the 8-hour cruise back to Moorea and anchored in Opunohu Bay, Moorea, the opposite side of the island from Cook’s Bay where we spent the 7th. Our visit to Sting Ray Bay was both beautiful and exciting. While standing in the water we were surrounded and approached by both sharks and rays. The rays were especially friendly compared to the more wary sharks. However, both were only interested in the bait we were feeding them rather than us, fortunately.
On the 17th we had a land tour of this side of the island and it was the most beautiful of the land tour we had. It was more rural and had fewer unattractive cheaply built structures. We enjoyed tours of pineapple fields and a botanical garden. There were beautiful views from higher overlooks.
On the 18th after breakfast, we headed back to Papeete where we disembarked and headed to the airport for our return to Bora Bora. There we were settled into our overwater bungalows. We had a semi-private butler/concierge who accompanied us to our meals, spa treatments, and other leisure activities. It was an unbelievably beautiful setting. Although we were ready to return home and it did not compare to life on the boat, we enjoyed the leisure time on land.
On the 22nd we boarded the hotel launch for the airport and our 24-hour journey back to Highlands.