Island Hopping Day 17: Bora Bora, French Polynesia

I woke up feeling not so great.  I wasn’t so sick I couldn’t go about my plans but just felt off.  I am not sure if it is the result of getting too hot on my hike yesterday or an illness starting.   

It is day two in Bora Bora.  A few days ago, I explored the island and today I am hitting up the beach and taking a boat to a motu.  A motu is a small, low-lying reef islet or coral sand island that surrounds the main volcanic island and lagoon of Bora Bora in French Polynesia.  I wasn’t thrilled that the excursion left so early as it was cool and windy but you go when they say you go.  

It was so nice.  I pulled a chair to the edge of the water and just stared at this for hours.

Then this guy showed up and went from person to person in hopes of getting some attention . . . what a great place to live.  He was covered in fleas and felt so bad for him.

Our time on the private motu was over so back to the boat.  I swear every time I look at the water it just looks so fake!  Again, this place lives up to what is see on the internet . . . it is really that pretty in person . . . these photos were taken with my phone and a small camera; no filters needed. 

By the time the excursion ended, I was feeling awful.  So awful I went back to my room, took a shower, and crawled in bed at 2pm!  I had a fever, chills, body aches, sweats . . . classic flu symptoms.  I usually always travel with self-test but this trip decided to leave them home.  My thought was if I have what the test are for, there is nothing I can do except rest and hydrate.  I did go to the medicine vending machine and it had nothing that was of use to me.  The duty-free store had allergy meds and Tylenol (10 pills for $18) so I just went back to my room and crawled in bed.  I did bring some cold & flu meds so started those and rationed so would be good for a few days.  

Island Hopping Day 16: Moorea, French Polynesia

So, I am back in Moorea!  I am excited the next three ports are repeats because I get to spend more time enjoying a different activity. 

I debated on getting a day pass to a fancy resort hotel or doing a hike to the top of Magic Mountain.  I ended up doing the hike.  From the port, it was about a mile walk to the starting point.  I paid my 200XPF or about $2 and headed up.  I got an early start and was there by 720am.  It is already hot and was concerned this would work against me.  All the research I have done says it is an easy to moderate hike . . . there are two ways to get to the top with going left being “easier” but longer with a path going up and down or going right being “harder” as this route was super steep all the way up.   

If the chickens could do it; I could too, right?  

As I started walking, I think sometimes I have a good idea? I quickly realized that today was not that day!  I went left as it was supposed to be easier but longer.  It was not!  So many times I thought just turn around and be done but I pushed on.  I checked my phone often and it was as if I wasn’t even moving as it would tell me only 800 ft then 0.4 miles and when it said 0.6 miles to the top; I almost lost it.  Right about now that resort pass was sounding pretty good.  I am dying!  The views are nice.

Anyway . . . I had also read that around the mid-point there were 3 benches to rest.  I was like no there isn’t and when I finally saw them, they were like heaven!  

I took a break and of course I debated going back down or continue to the top.  I also knew if I quit; I would regret it later so I pushed onward towards the top. The ATV and 4x4 tours started arriving and you could tell the people were so glad they booked a tour.  But I pushed on, but I’m still dying!  I made it!  It was nice being up there alone . . . sometimes I just have to pinch myself . . . I do take some pretty amazing trips and while it might seem my life is perfect and great; it isn’t.  I too have struggles and lately life has been very stressful for my heart and soul.  BUT I made it to the top . . . look how red I am!  It is not a sunburn just how hot I was.

The 360° views were really amazing!  I wish there was a bench at the top to sit and soak it in.

It is time to start back down . . .

. . . after I caught my breath, I decided to take the “harder” route down and let me tell you it was super steep all the way but seemed super quick going down.   

On my way down, people were starting to arrive . . . the young couple with the about 3 year old girl, the tourist wearing flip flops, the people way older than me . . . they were going up the hard way and probably did way better than me.

I took a rest when I arrived at the bottom.  Fare Tutava was so lovely . . . they gave me a fresh plate of fruit for free (the bananas were so good) and ordered a smoothie ($6).  I went with the Magic Smoothie.  The purple flowers are the clitoria flower and edible.  

 

The smoothie must have had magic powers because I was back at the ship in no time!  Yes, I did eat the purple flower and nothing memorable . . . maybe it had a little something something that gave me a boost.  
 
And here’s my final thought on my little hike at Magic Mountain:  the left route was way longer than what internet people said as far as length and a moderate level hike . . . the right hike is definitely a difficult hike going up and down!  I’m glad I survived but man it was hard . . . sometimes it is good to do hard things!

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!