Al cracks a coconut!

Trying Everything!

I took this picture from above at the open coffee table of Al swimming below our bungalow with the fish.  Adjacent to our bungalow is a coral nursery.  Here coral is being grown and consequently there are so many fish to view all the time.

My unsuccessful attempt to paddle board--will try again

Kayaking was far more successful and delightful.

Arrival Moana Intercontinental Bora Bora

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After arriving at the dock we were escorted to reception and met with tropical drinks.  Then we toured the resort (not very large--a boutique resort) and shown to our over the water bungalow.  I wished I had taken pictures right away as sprays of bougainvillea were placed all over, lovely.

It is hard to tell from the picture but the coffee table is glass on all sides and the top slides open to feed the fish.  

Growing pearls

I added some text and explanation to the pearl growing process so check the earlier post.  BTW I also added some more about the vanilla farm we visited..........

Transfer to Bora Bora

We flew from Papeete to Bora Bora aboard a prop plane in a 45 min flight. The airport in BoraBora is not on the island but on a motu on the island's surrounding reef. Many of the large hotels send their own boat for the transfer. We were met by the Moana Intercontinental staff and along with our luggage boarded a boat direct to the hotel on the other side of the island. It took about 30 minutes to our location at Matira Point.

Last day aboard MS Gaugin

Just a few random shots from our day at Moorea. In the morning we went with a marine biologist to see spinner dolphins. We found them and followed them outside the reef for several hours. Along the way we learned about these mammals the smallest of the dolphins who weigh about 140 pounds.

Leaving Taha’a

A Day at a MS Gaugin private Motu in the Taha’a Lagoon

Approaching Taha’a

The picture of the chart shows how the ship must enter and depart the lagoon by a natural opening in the reef. A large reef surrounds each island with an even larger lagoon between the reef and the island. Bora Bora has only one opening in the reef. Consequently there is not as much "flush" and conditions in the lagoon can become threatening to coral and fish. (I.e. increase in water temp.)

Captain MS Paul Gaugin

Captain very personable and approachable. He also has a great sense of humor. He waved this when we left the island of Taha'a-a quiet island with homes along the shore and islanders waving back.

Visit to Vanilla Farm

The vanilla plants are grown in net covered sheds.  This family had four good sized ones.  The flowers are hand pollinated to assure that beans will from.  The beans (see below) actually look like green beans.    After harvest they are left outside during the day to dry being brought inside at night or when it rains.  A recent harvest is shown above bundled in a burlap cloth as it had recently rained.  The price for FOUR beans was about $40 packed hermetically and acceptable to be brought into the us.  Needless to say I did not buy any.   This is Tahitian vanilla and I remember from my McCormick days is very fragrant and floral--quite different from the Madagascar vanilla which McCormick was importing for their vanilla extract when I was there.  (BTW Mexican vanilla is also different--often prized as a "take home" by visitors to Mexico.  Unfortunately this vanilla is most often not pure vanilla but contains fragrant, aroma enhancers to supplement the natural vanilla.  This results in the popular sentiment that it is stronger!)  We also were given a sample of vanilla enhanced rum--delicious, and vanilla ice cream cones flavored with Tahitian vanilla.  Much fun and very interesting.

Swimming with Sharks and Dolphins

We had a super morning in Bora Bora. We were taken by boat to a shallow area inside the reef. Large sting rays met the boat as they knew they would be fed. We swam/snorkeled among them, touching them and observing them. Meanwhile black tipped sharks swam among us. The sharks between 4 and 5' paid is no heed. It was a wonderful experience. Later we went nearer to the reef for a wonderful snorkel among the coral and fish. We have a few pics on the waterproof camera which we will try to post.
Sent from my iPhone

A Truck Tour of Huahine Nui

Our driver and local guide........

View from the Belvedere with ship in the background.

We spent the afternoon with 2 other couples driving around to see the this lovely garden island. Most of the islands produce is grown here. We stopped to see fish traps, a pearl farm, a vanilla farm and the infamous blue eyed eels.

Sunset arrival Huahine, Society Islsnds

Day at sea!

Transit from the Marquesas Islands to the Society Islands

We are currently transiting about 850 miles over two sea days from the Marquesas to the Society Islands.  In the Society Islands we will visit Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha’a-Motu Mahana, and Moorea before returning to Papaeete, Tahiti.  We have learned much about the big differences between these two groups of islands.   Marquesans are Catholic, Tahitians are Protestant.  Each has their own language although the official languages of the country are French and Tahitian.  Although both sets of islands were formed by volcanos, the geography is very different. The Marquesas are steep, mountainous islands with NO lagoons and few beaches.  The Society Islands are all surrounded by lagoons, coral reefs and beaches.  Over time as the island erodes, coral reefs grow around the island creating huge lagoons.  Atolls are created as the island erodes and disappears leaving a reef made of coral surrounding where the island once existed. 

Our ship has a shallow draft of only 17’ making it possible to enter these huge lagoons and anchor. Fish are plentiful both within and outside the lagoons.  We eat delicious fresh fish daily and have especially enjoyed some of the lagoon fish.  In Nuku Hiva local fishermen supplied the ship with several tuna which we had as sashimi that evening.   There was no snorkeling in the Marquesas but we expect to snorkel daily now in the islands we are now approaching.

A walk along the bay, Nuva Hiva

Pae Pae Piki Vehine

We took a little shuttle which went along the bay several miles to the end and then walked back along the shore passing a Catholic church, Notre Dame Cathedral of the Marquesas, a cemetery,  a park and a small village.   The church was built on the site of an important sacred site of the Marquesans.  We were told that it was common  for the missionaries to destroy the sites and then build churches on these sites to assure that the Marquesans would forget the old ways as they became practicing Christians.  

The park we passed is known as Pae Pae Piki Vehine it was built  on the site of a former traditional meeting ground on the occasion of the 1989 Marquesas Festival.  Tikis and other sculpture were made at that time and remain at the park. 

Notre Dame Cathedral of the Marquesas