Tahiti - Day 2

Nothing wrong with a second day in Tahiti! Carol lives by the beach so doesn't want to take a cab and go to a beach. After all, we are in the 'big city.' We don't really shop so we just wandered around. Didn't want to to go to the pearl museum, been there done that. Lots of the ladies will be delighted to have bought black pearls. 

Just wandered. Carol was looking for a souvenir for the friends who drive her to the airport. But then remembered that this time she used a car service as the friends were off on a trip of their own! we enjoyed the people watching. The children are on a school break so would be running all about. People seem to be doing ordinary things and not in extraordinary ways. You do not see many plastic bags, however, coming and going from the shops. Most shoppers carry woven baskets, mostly from Ti leaves, which are extremely strong. On closer examination, thought, many baskets were of plastic although some locals had taken care to make them look like Ti leaves!

Again, not my photo. 

You may have a plant that looks like this in your home.

 

We walked up to the Cathedral Notre Dame. Homeless people abound in this city and the steps to the church are no exception. The church is kept locked. Luckily we were able to be inside last time.

The plain stuccoed interior is enhanced with beautiful stained glass windows. The dark wooden pews, many built from ship wood, are mostly original from 1875. The Island, having been claimed by the French, is predominantly Roman Catholic in faith.

We sat on a bench near the mall (Yes, everywhere has a mall and Papeete is no exception!) I couldn't get the top off my bottle of water although I had managed Carol's. Asking for help led to a pleasant conversation with a young, but retired, everything is relative, couple, who have their children settled in college and come for the winter to Tahiti.

We continued to enjoy the city, this time moving out of the center to walk along the 'main drag' in front of the shore. The traffic might as well be in in Atlanta! The four lanes are separated by a cement barrier about two and a half feet high. Interestingly to me, there are not really crossroads. when the side street meets the main road it can only go one way, to the right. If you wish to go left or change directions and make a left turn at any point you make a curving swing around, go underground a short distance and reemerge in the left lane of the road going the other direction!

There are very few, and I do mean minimal places that there are actually intersections that have traffic lights that then also provide crosswalks for pedestrians! If you wish to cross elsewhere, meaning not walk an extra mile, you simple step off at a corner, bravely not turning your head to look left or right, pray, and go!

We made one of these brave crossings and walked through the very pretty shore side park back to where the ship was dock. The tile sidewalk makes it easy to identify where you are. ..plus we could spot our ship in the distance.

After dinner tonight we had quite a lovely Destination Performance, the second of our trip. The costumes were quite colorful and the troop was much larger than the solo family we had on board in Hawaii. The dances were explained. The final one was the story of how the men puffed themselves up, showed off their hunting and dancing skills to attract the woman they wanted but the woman made the choice.

 

It was a day of contrasts and learning. Something I always enjoy.

Once again, like last trip, we focus on Tahiti!

February 18, 19, 20 we really arrived in the real South Pacific! Where everyone has been waiting to be TAHITI! We docked in Papeete, French Polynesia, or as we have seen it spelled here - Polineisia.

We docked at 7:00 a.m. and as soon as authorities cleared the ship tours would have began. Because this is the day we are supposed to be in Moorea, it is everyone exploring as they wish! We set out on our own. A beautiful new terminal has been built, and the Silversea Silver Shadow passengers were using every chair and wall to sit on while they logged into their devices to catch up on the news from home. Many seemed to also be joining the ship here. It is a long way to fly to board a ship!

This was a free day for everyone. Many had used the free Wifi onboard to research and book independent tours or plan snorkeling, not a good day for we amateurs to practice though We browsed very briefly at the crafts for sale in the terminal and then made our way to the ferry terminal to find information about the ferry to Moorea. It would only be $32 round trip as the island is just 10 nautical miles away. We could make it out under its cloudy halo. We thought to go tomorrow, on the middle day. This would give us leeway in case there would be a storm preventing our same day return. Our saner heads prevailed because we really didn’t know what we wanted to do when we would get there. It was just that Carol really liked it last time. If the seas got really rough we may not be able to return the same day!

 

Moorea - So close, yet so far! Pouring rain all day, Day 2, the day we would have been there!

Roosters roam free everywhere as do chickens which are equally colorful!

We walked around the shops for a while and then a street corner bus tour got our attention, and we took it. For a total of $55, including the tip, we had a 5-hour drive around the island. It was the combination of the East Coast and West Coast ship tours which we had taken last year. Each cost way more than $55! They had better commentary of course, than the young soon-to-graduate marine biologist could share but this was a great tour to all the same places plus some waterfalls of which the young guide and his uncle were very proud

There are so many stray but well behaved dogs, seemingly all female who have already had probably more than one litter, everywhere on all these islands. This one was guarding the bridge to the first, tallest, and most accessible waterfall.
 

 We also stopped at the ancient ceremonial site where they buried the rich and influential and the kings. Carol and I knew the whole story and shared much of it.

We finished the tour at the Grotto which is an interesting spot for the outlet of much of the water on the island. It is a black lake carved into the rock which creates the optical illusion of appearing much smaller than it is.

This photo is not mine. I took several last time and tipped the man who sits nearby every day. He has positioned a bright yellow bicycle quite decoratively centered in front of the opening. It is colorfully decorated with native flowers and quite attractive. The combination makes for a postcard perfect picture, but today I did not have the change to do that!

We continued back past the many pink and yellow churches of Papeete, through some squalid streets and also past some more well kept small homes and businesses. The schools all seems to have murals of local heroes on the the white walls.

Back at the ship we were quite happy that we had decided to take the tour. I was too late for Afternoon Tea but dinner on the pool deck at the Grill was delicious and featured Surf and Turf specialties. Poor Moorea was still wearing its rain cloud hat.

The show tonight was by a guest entertainer, Vertity Teiho-Brown who gave us her version of the Great American Songbook! She lives on the island,about an hour away. We had been reminded today how big Tahiti island that there are several towns on it.

Did I mention???

 For many passengers and crew, a highlight of February the 13th was the Crossing of the Equator and the traditional Salute to King Neptune. I think that all the passengers gathered around the main pool under the warm sun to watch as those crew members who had never crossed the Equator by sea knelt before those officers, selected to be judges, and the laughing and cheering passengers as they took a made up oath to honor King Neptune and protect his Seas. They then walked over to "Kiss the Fish" and jump or dive into the pool! Different crew positions were led forward. Our favorite bar waiter, Cleone, took his turn. I took some pictures and later sent them to him on What's App so he could send them to his family.

He is so tall I was afraid he would hit his head!

The Entertainment staff that had to 'Kiss the Fish' in the white basket on the table included the Assistant cruise director, Courtney and illusionist Joshua Jordan. Check him out on line. We have really enjoyed his shows.

Even some of the officers had to take the plunge in full dress uniform Crew all got a shot of Orange Juice after exiting the pool, Passengers get a shot of Aqua Vit. Check out what makes Aqua Vit unique. You will, of course, find that story on line or even on You Tube! Most anyone attending also can have a shot if you hang out for the whole ceremony but the long was very long so we didn't wait. We earned our certificates long ago. Me on Carnival but I have another now. I think that makes it five!

On Valentine's Day we had a Bridge Tour. It was most interesting. Beautiful and pristine with everything redundant Bridges of ships are technologically advanced. Even since the one I took many years ago on that Carnival ship it seems these control panels are so sleek. There are three main ones and and even with in the confines of one there is redundancy. Then there is also a second bride minor stacked on top of the very visible one you can easily see as a broad span of glass across the bow span of a cruise ship. The entry is on our Deck 6 forward of the forward stairs which is quite near our cabin. This means we see officers coming and going all the time!

Here is the crew photo which is posted down on Deck One so you can recognise them from when you first board if you choose to!

We ended Valentines Day at the Chef's Table and everyone on the ship shared a special dessert with their table mates besides whatever else they ordered.

Very delicious panna cotta filled with very tart rasperberry coulis..

New quick update...

 ...We safely arrived in Bora Bora. Rose early to see this.

Mount Otemanu had a cloudy, rainy crown which obscured more and more of her as the day went on. Those tiny white spots in the sea are pretty high whitecaps which were tossing the attempted tender boats viciously into the air!

Carol and I went to the theater at 8:30 to find our tour canceled as were all remaining tours for the day. Three had already gone ashore in the tenders but the sea was even more rough and considered too risky. Tendering can be very dangerous. I have even heard stories of someone falling though between the lifeboat (tender) and the mother ship while trying to board. The rain was getting heavier and thunder and lightening is expected in the afternoon.

It was said they might try later. Carol and I went to the Living Room for a coffee/tea and almond croissant to wait and see. Yes! It would be about a half our between tenders but then...no No more attempts...it was announced all tours were for sure done for the day. Also no tenders would be going to town and we would leave as soon as the one tour that had successfully tendered to shore returned. We met people who were on tour 2 and 3 (those first 3 trips were for jeep tours) and they had gotten to their vehicles and then told no. They would not have seen any wonderful view anyway and the road had become too slick 

So our 8:00 p.m. sailing happened about 3:00 p.m. Despite the clouds and rain it was very pretty. Unfortunately, right now, the internet is overwhelmed, so I will stop. I will add to this tomorrow with some photos and let you know how the cancellation saga continues!

Six (6) Sea Days!!!!!!

 We now have left dry land and have six days of nothing but water and sky! Our next stop will be Vaitape, Bora Bora. It is over 2,000 miles away! Many people do not like sea days but Carol and my other friends and I enjoy them. I am grouping them together because they have many things in common. I will let you know that each, though, have things to set them apart from the others.

Carol and I keep saying we will sleep late but somehow we never do. The ship is very quiet and although we generally turn out the lights about 11 we are usually up between six and seven. It doesn't take long to get ready for the day because we will never be far from our cabin on our Viking Neptune ship. We are on Deck Six, one floor below the Buffet, the Pool Grill, The WinterGarden for Afternoon Tea and Mamsens for morning waffles and light lunches and delicious desserts, and the main pool and the Infinity Pool. Lots goes on on Deck 7.

A short elevator ride down to Deck 2 for the Star Theater for the main shows, Port Talks, Lectures, Trivia, and movies at the forward ship and the restaurant at the aft. In the middle are puzzles and games, electronic game tables and board games. Also a nice niche for the guy who will sell you your next cruise!On Deck 1 Is Manfredi's Italian Restaurant and The Chef's Table for a tasting menu with wine pairing.

Most days we have breakfast at the World Cafe, Deck 7 Aft. Lots of choices. Carol likes salmon in the morning, think Lox. Sometime she has Eggs Benedict. I sometimes have an omelette, but always have a doughnut or filled croissant. Sometimes we go down to Deck One for the Almond Croissant served only in the Living Room or to the Restaurant for a sit down well served breakfast. 

At 9:00 or 9:30 a.m we will go to the Star Theater for a great lecture by one of the speakers traveling with us. Dr. Fuller is the Resident Historian. One day his topic was The Art of  Polynesia, another was The History of Navigation. Topics like that are his forte. 

Dr. Misulis from Vanderbuilt University today spoke on The Birth of the Earth while three days ago his choice was the entire History of Polynesia including its formation.

Lori Bremner is a Naturalist who gives us the overall history and description of every island. She loves nature and explains how all the volcanic plates shift and create islands. She always seems delighted by every aspect of the island. the flora, the fauna, and the coral seas.

Capt. Lou Thieblemont is a retired American Airlines pilot, the Resident Astronomer and seems very knowledgeable about many topics. Sometimes he brings a sophisticated type 'flight sim' program to the Star Theater screen while he starts the engine and flies from one island to the other! He leads star gazing from the top deck and this morning explained how time works and why calendars changed over the centuries. He is always entertaining as is Dr Fuller.

There are four other speakers as well. We have three or four lectures a day! 

There is also a port talk on sea days. Phil, the Cruise Director, is giving them all on sea days because the port days are consecutive. These are different from Lori's talks, these are more practical, however, unlike on many cruise lines, you are not told where to go to Diamonds International and what to buy where. We have been told that Black Pearls are harvested in these islands from the rare Black Lip Oyster. Tahiti raises Vanilla Orchids. Max, the excursion director explains the requirements of the tours to be sure you are able to do them. I actually canceled one because I think now that I know more about deep water snorkeling I may not be fit enough to enjoy the day. And Max always begins and ends and manages to include one or two other corny jokes!

At 12:15 every sea day Carol and I join Fred, a doctor from Colorado, Emily and Douglas a couple from Canada for Team Trivia. It is not Progressive, so scores are not totaled, and the winners get a Viking Mimosa as a prize. Well, our team is still thirsty. We often have a winning score but had changed a couple of our answers for some crazy reasons! Courtney, who was one of the singers when we were on this ship in Canada in September, is now the Assistant Cruise Director! We knew she was being promoted and knew she would be very good at her job. So enthusiastic.

Often there is a matinee movie or in the evening in place of the other entertainment. We have seen South Pacific, Hawaii, The King and I, Ghostlight and Couples Retreat. Carl Wishneusky is an amazing pianist who has entertained us on two evenings. One was even classical music! Joshua Jordan is an illusionist that I will look to find on YouTube. I really enjoyed his performance although magic is not something that I would normally enjoy. I laughed so much!

Our resident singers quartet entertained one evening with Stage Door which is right up my alley - Broadway musicals! Last night Lucas stepped out of the entertainment team and performed solo. At the age of only has 23 I am sure he has a future that will have us seeing him on our stages and TV screens in the future!

On Valentine's Day we all celebrated with Dancing Under the Stars out on the pool Deck. This happens on every Viking ocean cruise but this time it truly was a lot of fun. It seems that the couples on the ship really got into the sweetheart mood and enjoyed the music provided by every one of the entertainment staff. All the musicians were pitching in. The band played, the guitarist from Torshavn took a turn. I think even Yana the pianist played for a bit. Each of the singers and dancers were out on the floor and if they were singer they were mingling and dancing with the crowd. It was a lot of fun.

Philip, the Cruise Director, really did a good job in keeping the party going. If you saw him you would not think Cruise Director, but he seems to manage all the bits and pieces of the puzzle very well Also he has a wonderful singing voice!

So, you can see that sea days can be very busy. I have not even mentioned that I try to ride seven miles on the bike in the gym, use the spa pool and walk a mi;e around the deck every day!  Time to relax and read ... maybe if I write in this blog a little faster!

Nawiliwili on the Garden Isle of Kauai is our next and last stop for awhile!

 Kauai is called the Garden Isle as it is the oldest and greenest, most lush of the famed Hawaiian archipelago. Our early morning tour was to the Kilohana Plantation. This family owned farm holds tight to its remaining 500 acres of the original 16,000 it once owned. Once thriving with sugar cane and pineapples it now boasts a showcase of tropical fruits and vegetables and experimental plantings.  Its primary crop is tourism! Boasting a refurbished antique narrow gauge railway once used to move crops it now takes guests like us for a tour through the orchards and fields. We even stopped to visit and feed the pet horses, cows, pigs and goats!

From Kilohana Plantation Webpage

 

Cashew Trees

We were greet by the conch shell horn and torch bearer back at the home. It was time for Hawaiian entertainment, for sure!

We followed him along the path to a large "Tiki Hut" with very many tables which later would host a luau I am sure. we were only going to have a dance show. It was better than the one last night but the same kind of thing including the whole family. A young boy clung closely to the torch bearer/drummer and got directions from him and drummed with him and even carried the torch. Clearly learning his designated profession. Little girls joined in the dancing. It is almost as if to inherit these jobs.. Or perhaps these are the best jobs that will be available to them or part time careers while they study at university in the future perhaps?

After the show and the very pleasant narrated ride there was a chance to visit the sweet shop to get a MaiTai or frozen whipped pineapple/vanilla treat. Rum and pineapple and vanilla are all products they grow, produce and sell in their shops. There was a souvenir shop, I went into the home which was surely a mansion at the time. The first floor still had original furnishings including heavy teak and mahogany chests, overstuffed couches, and chairs. A dining table was set for 16 with perfect floral china and crystal. The back living room doors opened wide to bring in the feel of the well groomed garden just waiting for the family to stroll on a cool evening.

Going up the broad dark wood staircase with thick carved handrails on either side, I was stunned by the coolness of the lofty space at the top. Windows opened wide and the breeze made me want to stay right there at the window seat. If only I had a book and a glass of iced tea I would have been content for hours.

The three bedrooms had been leased for shops. The Master was large enough to actually have a few vendors in it. Each had lovely tropical clothing and jewelry. Another room had paintings and art. The third was hosting crafters. Not being a shopper, I admired the woodwork and windows and wide floor boards. The craftsmanship of the early builders was a thing of pride. 

The home was indeed a mansion despite it's simplicity. It would be a delight in which to dine and host friends for a dinner or cocktail party. 

Returning to the ship we passed through the thriving city and shopping mall area. I saw the Jack in the Box where my son-in-law was so happy to take my grandchildren when we were all here together. It is in his Arizona blood! I am sure the malls we quickly passed used to be cane and pineapple fields themselves!

Back at the ship after lunch at the pool grill we decided to just walk around nearby for awhile. We should have gone to the beach but I had some biking to do and we have become extremely spoiled and lazy. It was Superbowl Sunday and, not being fans, we paid no attention. I was glad later to learn that Taylor Swift's team lost.There were lots of fans on board and those wearing Chiefs regalia not very happy when the game was over. Many fans had gone ashore and watched in some of the seaside bars to have the sports bar feeling of home!

Carol and I relaxed on our balcony at sail away before dinner and I took a million sunset photos. Love them! After dinner the evening performance was the movie Hawaii because the big screen by the pool was showing the game delayed. Viking had to wait until we had exited  territory to broadcast the game because of licensing issues. The Eagles fans were elated with the bar-b-que dinner, which we also enjoyed and with reliving the game they already knew they had won!!

The only thing missing from Kauai today was the sail away we enjoyed last time along the iconic sharp edged cliffs you have seen in many movies and TV shows. We sailed straight Southwest! Next stop Bora Bora!