Tuesday, April 7, 2015

South Pacific and Peru -- April, 2015 -- Days 3 and 4


Day 3, April 5, 2015 After many frustrating attempts both last night and this morning to find a church, Mass times, places and a way to get to them, the result was a dead end.   So … Happy Easter to everyone … a day to rejoice in Our Risen Lord, in a place which almost perfectly reflects His glory.  We spent some quiet time in our stateroom in prayer, then we enjoyed a delicious breakfast together at the Terrace Café. 

About 5:30 this morning, the ship sailed from Tahiti a short distance to the Island of Moorea, anchoring in Opunohu Bay.  Around 10:30 we met our friends Skip and Cheryl and Steve and Barb and tendered over to the island … that is a little covered boat taking us to and from the ship to the pier on shore.  We rented a car … one with a manual transmission that provided all kinds of frustrating and adventurous moments, especially while climbing up the mountain on a very narrow, steep and windy road!!!  .

We traveled up this road to Belvedere Lookout that provided a spectacular panoramic view of Opunohu and Cook’s Bays, the Opunolu Valley as well as the jagged, rain-forest mountain of Mount Rotui that is situated between the two bays.  Looking down at the bays, the almost iridescent deep turquoise-colored water sparkled in the sun and contrasted with the white sand beaches, all surrounded with lush green flora … everyone’s iconic dream of what Polynesia is like. We ventured around this small island, which has only one 39-mile ring road, enjoying the beauty of the ocean … looking for a place to swim.  Black pearls are the thing to get here!  There were numerous venders selling their black pearl jewelry as soon as we got off the pier, but after circling the island we stopped at a shop that was recommended to purchase authentic black pearls.  I didn’t buy, but I certainly did drool over many of the beautiful pieces! 

Moorea Island, French Polynesia
The view from Belveldere Lookout
Moorea Island

Finally we found a gorgeous beach which also had a bar!  Swimming in the the Pacific Ocean water for the first time was heavenly, the company delightful, and of course, the local beer tasty; but the most entertaining was watching the wind surfers jet through the water behind modified wind driven parachutes, springing often 10-12’ into the air with some doing twists and turns. Amazing!  Moorea is the second major island behind Tahiti and is very popular because of its relaxing atmosphere, the jaw-dropping beauty of the ocean surrounding it and the mountains on it, the entire island surrounded with gorgeous public beaches, and a rich history, beginning over a thousand years ago when its first Polynesian settlers arrived.

wind surfing, Moorea Island, French Polynesia
Wind surfers on Moorea Island

We tendered back to the ship about 4 o’clock, relaxed, dressed for dinner … which was a gourmet meal with the gang once again … simply delicious. After browsing through the shops aboard the ship and having a drink with Barb and Steve, it’s time to call it a night.  Another absolutely beautiful day spending Easter Sunday in this South Pacific paradise, meandering through the most idyllic island with good friends!

Day 4, April 6, 2015 Our ship left Moorea last night about 6 pm and docked in Raiatea at 7:30 this morning. How beautiful gazing out from our stateroom balcony last night at the rolling sea with the stars twinkling in the sky. More perfection this morning as we did morning prayers on the balcony
Raiatea, French Polynesia
Craft Center at the dock
Raiatea, French Polynesia
with gentle ocean breezes and mesmerizing blue rolling waves and room service of coffee and croissants as we slowly approached another idyllic isle!

We walked down into the main little town of Uturoa about mid-morning. Raiatea itself is about 60
Raiatea, French Polynesia
Our entertainment in Raiatea
miles in circumference with about 12,000 inhabitants.  It is not a high tourist area, but hosts a black pearl farm and is world renown for its production of vanilla. From our stateroom balcony, we could hear the musicians playing on the dock.  They entertained us almost all morning long … all dressed in colorful clothing and floral headbands. Half a dozen grass huts near the ship housed the local crafts of shelled jewelry, black pearl jewelry, beautiful painted fabrics (sarongs, shirts and tops, cute kids clothes) and painted glass ware, plus some lovely carved wood items. Cheryl bought a floral head band, so us girls had some fun posing for pictures!  We also found that the
Raiatea, French Polynesia
Isn't Cheryl beautiful in her
floral headband??
vanilla beans and liquid and powder vanilla were cheaper at the local supermarket than from the street vendors.


The heat and humidity was very high today … 88 degrees by 9:30 a.m.   We were looking for a local place t o eat, but only found a bar … so we had a beer and then came back to the ship for a delicious lunch in air conditioned comfort (I should say that Bob grew up in a climate similar to this and he is relishing in it!!).  This afternoon we explored the ship a bit, especially the spa and hot tub area, had frappuccinos, then watched the NCAA Wisconsin – Duke championship game (so sad Wisconsin fell apart the last half of the second half of the game!).

French Polynesia
Sunset over the South Pacific Ocean

The ship set sail about 6 p.m., just as the sun was setting.  We are very near the equator, so daylight is about 12 hours every day ... 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.  I wondered why I was so disoriented in my directions until I was told the sun rotates opposite of where we live ...our shadows in the US are to the south; the shadows here are to the north!!  Dinner at the Grand Dining Room was again exquisite, enjoying it with the  company of great  friends. I think between the heat, humidity and the hectic pace of the last few days, my body started to revolt, so it truly was off to bed at a reasonable hour tonight!  I'm still pinching myself to be sure this is really happening to us ... simply heavenly!



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