Island Hopping Day 15: Papeete, Tahiti

The first cruise has ended, but I am staying onboard for the next cruise too . . . also known as a back-to-back (B2B).

Luckily, I get to stay in my same cabin so that is the best part!  We are in Tahiti until 8pm so I booked an independent small group tour which was nice except for one lady that was super annoying.  She had something to say about everything.
 
Bread fruit grows everywhere and is a staple in French Polynesia.  

More eels . . . I don't know if these are Tahitian eels or Moorea eels and I was afraid to ask after my question about eating them came across as sort of offensive.  

A stop at  'Ārahurahu Marae . . . this one was really cool!

Most of the beaches in Tahiti are black sand.

Water Gardens Vaipahi had amazing flowers, chickens, and a waterfall . . . I think every tour must stop here too.

Grottes De Mara'a

I was not ready to go back to ship so I just walked to nearby Paofai Park.  There are lots of chickens.

 

I stumbled across this Nuclear Testing Monument.  

So I had to know more.  

France conducted 193 nuclear tests (atmospheric and underground) in French Polynesia between 1966 and 1996 at the Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls, located over 1,000 kilometers southeast of Tahiti.  Although tests took place on remote atolls, shifting winds—most notably during the July 1974 atmospheric test—blew radioactive fallout over Tahiti and the capital city of Papeete, exposing roughly 110,000 residents to ionizing radiation. 

Investigations revealed that French authorities underreported radiation doses by up to 40% to 10 times higher than initially claimed, partly by overlooking contaminated rainwater and food sources. Local populations experienced elevated rates of thyroid cancer and other health issues. 

The testing program sparked widespread anti-nuclear protests across the South Pacific, including major demonstrations and rioting in Papeete—particularly when tests resumed briefly in 1995 under President Jacques Chirac, and following the 1985 sinking of Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior. 

I had no idea.  I walked back to the ship to end the day.  There were so many new people boarding the ship and tons of luggage.  And about the people on my tour . . . not only was that one lady annoying but at the end of the tour I learned the guy I sat by the entire tour had the flu!  Seriously, I heard him talking to another lady about being sick.  He was like I started feeling sick on the ship  "I got the flu and I don’t know how but I got some medicine at the pharmacy" . . . well, isn’t that just grand!

Island Hopping Day 14: Moorea, French Polynesia

Today marks two weeks since I started this trip; time flies but stands still too. It’s the first day I woke up feeling off. So many people coughing and the sea was rough last night! Of course, today is the day I have a super early excursion.  I’m not going to miss it! My sleep is still not on a schedule and if I can stay up past 8pm it’s a miracle! That also means I’m up super early . . . usually before 5am!
The weather on Moorea is much cooler! Probably the first time I didn’t break out in a sweat when I stepped on land.  I’m on an Off Road Safari excursion in a 4-wheel drive vehicle which is only 6 people!  Of course, we are a caravan of 5 other vehicles but it was good and felt small groupish.
 
A steep drive to a tropical garden

Moorea eel . . . I asked if they eat them and was quickly told no because they are sacred . . . moving on. 

Pineapple Plantation

Belvédère d'Opunohu scenic viewpoint offered spectacular views over Moorea's two bays. Mount Rotui separates them with the bay of Opunohu on the left and Cook Bay on the right. 

The clouds and rain rolled in fast and the views were gone so fast too.  At the bottom was a marae.  I did not stick with the group and listen to the talk.  

 

A scenic roadside stop along the main coastal highway right on Cook's Bay with views of the harbor and background spires.

The weather was so nice today . . .  in fact, I broke out the jacket when it started raining in higher elevation!  Of course, it was short lived as we made our way back to the tender port but still amazing weather!

Island Hopping Day 13: Raiatea, French Polynesia

Another day; another new stop!  I was up super early . . . even before the sun was up or we were in port!

It took what seems like forever to get here but worth it.  A few stops around the island of Raiatea today.  Honestly, I had never even heard of this place.  The drive was a bit uncomfortable on hard wood bench seats but the views from the bus almost made you forget . . . almost!

A quick stop at the Botanical Gardens to see some plants which isn't a big deal because the most beautiful plants just grow everywhere.

 

It was back on the road towards the Fa'aroa Bay and Marae Taputapuatea.  In French Polynesia, a marae is a sacred outdoor stone temple and ceremonial complex built to connect the human world with ancestors and deities.  Marae Taputapuatea is one of the largest ancient temples in French Polynesia.  This was our guide.

This marae that is constructed of stones and coral.  This sacred site is dedicated to Oro, the bloodthirsty god of war who demanded human sacrifices. 

 

 

Now I often mention my lack of excitement with group cruise ship excursions.  I do them but mainly for the security that I won’t be left behind and it is more economical when traveling solo. Today, I witnessed how some people just don't get it when with a large group.  At the end of our tour, they set out several large platters of local fruits.  There were toothpicks to grab your samples.  I stood back and watched . . . several people in the group got a piece of fruit, put it in their mouth with the toothpick, and used the same toothpick to get another piece of fruit; yuck!  I was shocked and there was no way I was taking part in this fruit tasting.  Oh and there wasn't just one person who did this . . . some people used their hands to get their fruit samples too.

 
I just started walking and couldn’t stop walking with views like this!

 

Island Hopping Day 12: Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora!  Y’all we have arrived in paradise!  All I can say is what you see in the photos is actually what it looks like.  I am taking a tour around the entire island today . . . it is only about 20 miles to circle the entire island!  I saw someone say to rent a bike and do it but not that adventurous yet.  First stop was Matira Beach.  So blue . . . so clear . . . so quickly we had to leave!

And then you turn around to go back to the bus and this is the view across the street from the beach.  No matter where you look it is beautiful.

Our tour guide was full of great information.  I found it interesting that when women are in the 8^th month of pregnancy they must leave the island as they are not allowed to give birth on the island because there is no hospital.  There is a midwife for emergencies.  So this means that no one (or very few) are actually born on the island of Bora Bora.  I sometimes found myself not listening to the guide and gazing at the views.   

We pulled over to the side of the road and the guide threw out some red hibiscus flowers.  We were all a bit puzzled but in no time the tupa crabs came out and started eating the hibachis flowers and dragging back to their holes.  It was funny.

 

While it was not a super exciting excursion, the guide was excellent and gave good information about the island of Bora Bora and the people.  It’s so lush and beautiful between the vegetation and crystal clear water!
 
There are no cemeteries on the island.  Families bury loved ones in the garden near house. As a result, this makes sure the family does not sell the land and a family member always lives on the land.  Family is forever even if they are six feet under.
 
There are American coastal defense cannons around the island that were built in case needed during WW2.  They were off the main road so was a bit bummed did not get to see any of them but did stop by this old bunker.

Bora Bora is a very popular location for overwater bungalows . . . you know the ones that cost hundreds or thousands per night.  I was shocked at how many were closed and in disrepair.  I guess most people can’t afford to pay that much for one night. 

I walked around the town at the port . . . that was about it as far as shops on the island.  I was amazed at how little there is to do.  I guess most people come to relax and stay at hotel resorts with views like this.

Guess what?  I will be back in a few days!

Island Hopping Day 11: at sea

It is finally the last day on the boat before we arrive at our next port.  I don't mind sea days but five in a row on a small ship can be a bit boring.  The weather was weird today.  Once minute bright and sunny and the next dark and stormy. 

 

The day was filled with naps, walking, food, and educational talks around the ship.

Today was my last fancy meal . . . Teppanyaki which we like to call cook in front of you.

Island Hopping Day 10: at sea

Rise and shine . . . another day at sea!

I did not have a fancy dinner for today and went to the regular dining room.  I was pleasantly surprised by this dessert . . . Warm Chocolate Lava Cake.  I'm weird and don't like to mix ice cream with my wam cake but this was really good . . . 

. . . oh the sunset!

Island Hopping Day 9: at sea

It’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day and still have a couple more sea days.  

Today we crossed the equator or as I like to think I walked across the equator in the middle of the sea since I was on the walking track!

Next fancy meal was at Onda by Scarpetta which is an Italian restaurant.

As I left dinner, I popped outside.  The sunsets have been over the top too!