Around The World Part 2

February - April 2023

This is the conclusion of our trip that we started in Nov 2019 that was interrupted in March of 2020 by Covid-19. Read more

67footprints
4countries
65days
642photos
68videos
40.4kkilometers
30.9kkilometers

Follow Calendar Share Bucket list

Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 21, 2023
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- French Polynesia Leeward Islands Haapu Vaiorea -16.781908, -151.02767916°46’55” S 151°1’40” W
Day 8
Sharks & Manta Rays
February 21, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Close to Moorea Island, we snorkelled amongst Reef sharks (up to 6’ long) & manta rays, which were at least that length, including their tails. This was a fantastic experience, as we saw many of these in very shallow, clear water! We also snorkelled over some ancient Tiki statues that were in 3-4 metres of water. In the afternoon, while some of our shipmates went on a Moorea Is. tour, we decided to walk towards a village, as the captain moored the boat on a large dock. It was very warm and we made it to within 3 kms of the nearest village. After an hour, we decided to turn around. We did see some black pearl, vegetable & fruit & clothing stalls along the route. We got our 10000 steps in this afternoon. After dinner, we set off on an overnight motor. We travelled 142 kms in 11 hours. It was very hot overnight without AC & some guests decided to sleep on deck on both levels.Read more
3 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 22, 2023, 6:23pm
- ☁️ 27 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- French Polynesia Leeward Islands Parea Baie d’Auea -16.811695, -150.99233816°48’42” S 150°59’32” W
Day 9
Huahine Is
February 22, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
After motoring overnight, we arrived at Huahine at around 8:00am. No luck trolling from 5:30 am till 8. After breakfast, we tied up to a dock & walked around a small village. We had less than an hour ashore to look in clothing stores, etc. We returned to the ship, motored for a half hour or so to a spot to snorkel before lunch & relax on the beach in the afternoon. We then motored to a safe anchoring spot for the night.Read more
4 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 23, 2023
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- French Polynesia Tahateao Baie Fare -16.713705, -151.03739916°42’49” S 151°2’15” W
Day 10
Huhane Is - Day 2
February 23, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Today was a lazy day. Captain Mata took Kim snorkelling in the morning while most of the group did a tour of the island. I stayed aboard, read & organized some photos. In the afternoon, Mata took us to shore once again to go to the Bank of Tahiti to withdraw some more local currency. We enjoyed a game of cards with our shipmates tonight!Read more
3 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 24, 2023
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- South Pacific Ocean -16.723942, -151.2170116°43’26” S 151°13’1” W
Day 11
Raiatea
February 24, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
After breakfast, we set sail for the island of Raiatea. It was nearly a four hour full sail with the aid of the twin 110 hp Volvo Penta engines. We averaged 8 knots, & trolled the entire way. No fish again. The last half hour of the sail was breathtakingly beautiful. The water was many different shades of green & blue, & the shoreline was thoughtfully built up. No big mega resorts here. We snorkelled on a shallow reef & were dropped off at a tiny island to explore & wade around in the shallows. We motored to an anchorage just off of the small island of Taha’a where we enjoyed a delicious dinner buffet with traditional music, dancing & fire eating/juggling. We stayed at anchor off of Taha’a tonight.Read more
3 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 25, 2023, 8:42am
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- French Polynesia Leeward Islands Uturoa Vallée Vaipao -16.729612, -151.44204716°43’47” S 151°26’31” W
Day 12
Raiatea Day 2 - Uturoa
February 25, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Early this morning, we motored back to Raiatea for the others to join an AM tour of the island. One of the others wanted to stay behind, so Kim joined the tour in his place. As we had docked at the main pier, I walked off the boat & did some browsing in the local shops, & connected to the area’s free WiFi, which was a rare opportunity on the islands. On her tour, Kim visited a local cemetery, Belvedere Lookout, Faaroa Botanical Garden and Taputapuatea Temple.Read more
4 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 26, 2023, 3:13pm
- Altitude: Sea level
- French Polynesia Leeward Islands Vaitape Pointe Teaurufau -16.512011, -151.77252216°30’43” S 151°46’21” W
Day 13
Motor to Bora Bora
February 26, 2023 in French Polynesia
This morning, we made the 3+ hour trip to a beautiful shallow snorkelling area beside Bora Bora. The water is an amazing number of shades of blue/green. We motored past a school of dolphins along the way. Once again, we trolled the entire way without getting a bite. We ate a delicious Marlin steak lunch, & spent a few hours snorkelling & swimming until Kim’s nose nearly burnt off. It’s difficult to keep her out of the water.Read more
Traveler How great to see a school of dolphins! Keep applying sunscreen Kim.
3/2/23Reply
Traveler What a lovely photo of the two of you! The water is gorgeous!
3/3/23Reply
4 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 27, 2023, 10:08am
- ☁️ 28 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- French Polynesia Matira Motu Piti Aau -16.531469, -151.70645116°31’53” S 151°42’23” W
Day 14
Bora Bora
February 27, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
This morning, our captain, Mata, took us to two very different snorkelling spots. We swam over some Eagle Rays in 20’ of water. We followed a female (no tail) & several smaller males who were clearly interested in her. No pics, as I didn’t bring my GoPro. Other water pics & vids were taken by shipmates. We saw some more sharks with black tipped fins. The next spot had a very beautiful, lively reef with thousands of fish of many different species. We hand fed them with a leftover baguette from breakfast. In the afternoon we went ashore, did some shopping & went to Bloody Mary’s bar for happy hour before returning to the boat. Many famous people have eaten/drank here.Read more
Traveler What an adventure. Watch your fingers feeding those fish.
3/2/23Reply
Traveler That's so cool !
3/20/23Reply
4 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 28, 2023, 10:10pm
- ☁️ 28 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- French Polynesia Leeward Islands Apu Pointe Toamaro -16.682037, -151.48492416°40’55” S 151°29’6” W
Day 15
Back to Taha’a
February 28, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
We lazed around this morning, swam a bit and said goodbye to Bora Bora. We sailed to Taha’a, which is our captain, Mata’s home island. I learned to prepare Sashimi with Tuna. It turned out very well and everyone enjoyed it for lunch. We also made Tempura tuna, which was
also a hit. After lunch, we went to an area called the Coral Garden, off the coast of Taha’a. It was a shallow, protected area that had many different clumps of healthy coral that hosts many different sizes & species of fish. After snorkelling, we lazed around in the shady spots of the boat. Some 6-7’ black tipped fin sharks swam around the boat, & enjoyed some leftover tuna. Even the locals are finding it hot. After dinner, we played cards again. Our hostess/cook, Hanano & Captain Mata joined us in a game. After the card game, Mata took off in the dingy to join his father to go spear fishing, after dark. Wearing a snorkel, he free dives down 10 metres, holding a flashlight in one hand & his spear gun in the other. Doesn’t sound like much fun to me. Says it was a slow night. He only got 15 by midnight.Read more
4 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 2, 2023, 9:37am
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 18 m
- French Polynesia Leeward Islands Mana Lac Mana -16.724726, -151.46673616°43’29” S 151°28’0” W
Day 17
Flight to Tahiti, Ferry to Moorea
March 2, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
After breakfast, we said goodbye to our shipmates & made our way to the Raiatea airport to fly back to Tahiti. We flew in a surprisingly large, island hopping, Air Tahiti aircraft. The scenery on the flight was spectacular. We were transported to the Ferry terminal, on route to Moorea, where we picked up our rental car (a small standard Renault) & drove to the Hibiscus Hotel which will be home for three nights. He had dinner at the Sunset Bar which is attached to our hotel. Pizza & beer went down well tonight!Read more
Traveler The swimming pool must feel like such a letdown after where you’ve been swimming!
3/3/23Reply
Traveler so many shades of blue !
3/20/23Reply
4 likes
Traveler Around The World Part 2
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 3, 2023, 9:45pm
- ☁️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- French Polynesia Iumaru Rivière Taiemiti -17.531254, -149.90489217°31’53” S 149°54’18” W
1
Day 18
Moorea - Sights, Juice, Tiki Show
March 3, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
We drove our little Renault halfway around the island today, stopping at scenic lookout spots, including Belvedere, pineapple fields, art galleries, clothing stores, etc. Moorea is a beautiful island with a very well maintained main road. We visited a Juice Factory where we sampled wines, liquors & fruit juices. We were picked up at 6:10pm to go to Tiki Village, where we enjoyed a delicious Ma’a Tahiti dinner (traditional meal cooked in the Ahi Ma’a [traditional underground oven]). There was a terrific selection of local seafood, including poison cru (raw fish-the national dish), roast pig, and vegetables. The food was cooked underground for a minimum of 8 hours. The show afterwards told the story of how a warrior on a fishing trip in a canoe, discovered a beautiful pearl. Upon receiving this pearl the Polynesian chief sent warriors to search for a giant mother of pearl to restore the pearl to it’s natural home. The warriors discovered Hawaii, Samoa, & New Zealand. They found the mother of pearl, but when they opened it they discovered a beautiful young woman who was then married to the original young warrior. The production was very well done, with traditional music, dancing & fire eating/juggling. A much more professional show than the one we enjoyed on Taha’a Is.Read more
Traveler AMAZING !
3/20/23Reply
6 likes