French Polynesia
Orufara

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    • Day 36

      Moorea, French Polynesia

      January 24 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

      Magnificent, Menancing Moorea
      If you all have not noticed by now, it is Brenda who booked the excursions NOT Bob (although he is a great sport and is usually game for anything). So, surprise, we booked a water based activity in Moorea. This ended up being a water based excursion in more ways than I had originally thought. We booked the excursion entitled, Catamaran Cruise around Moorea. This is the first time that Bob and I have visited Moorea but when in French Polynesia, I think one should be in the water. Okay, we all know that Brenda feels that she should always be in the water. Afterall, I was born in a state of known for having 11,842 lakes so it goes without saying that water is my friend.
      Although we were the first off the tender, we were the last to board the catamaran for the excursion. When we got off the tender, we were told that our excursion was not ready so we wandered around another arts and crafts market. Numerous excursions were called for, we kept asking about our tour and were told that they were not ready for us. Well, the onshore staff was mistaken and by the time we got to our boat, we were the last two people to board the catamaran. The only seats that were left were at the aft of the catamaran which just happened to have no canopy. Since it was just mildly overcast, we were okay with the seats. In the beginning, we were so excited with the seats because we got great views of Moorea from the aft of the catamaran.
      The Captain of the catamaran said that we may have a bit of a rough ride as there were very big swells outside of the coral reef. I perked up at this information and was even happier that we were at the back of the boat. The only place better would have been at the bow. Being a catamaran, there were only nets in the front of the boat. I opted to see if the ride would be exciting enough at the stern.
      We exited the barrier reef and the swells were impressive. It was a beautiful sight to see the waves breaking over the reef with the island of Moorea and our ship in the background.
      Did I mention that we are in French Polynesia during the rainy season? The rainy season decided to show itself with a vengeance this afternoon. About 30 minutes into our boat ride, the heavens opened up and we experienced a downpour unlike anything that I had previously experienced. Our choice of seats soon became the least desirable place to be as everyone ran for the interior of the boat. Bob and I thought that we were tough enough to not dive for shelter at the first sign of precipitation. We can now attest to the fact that rainfall in French Polynesia is not a mere shower but a blinding, torrential, downpour. Our first indication was the Captain grabbed his raincoat. Our next indication was when the Captain was frantically motioning for his crew member to come to the back of the boat with her phone. He could not see his instruments and needed her to bring up their location on her GPS to confirm that we were not on the verge on running aground on the coral reef and throwing us all overboard. We were now in a total white out and could not see anything including the navigational beckons. Bob and I were still standing in the torrential downpour. Crew members are now doling out rum punch like it was water to keep us all distracted from the panic happening around the Captain. He was continually leaving the steering column to run to the side of the boat to investigate if visibility was any better on the side or over the top of the boat. I could have told him that we are in a total whiteout. Finally we came within inches of a navigational beacon. I looked at the Captain and said, "Well done." He visibly relaxed.
      Bob and I are now a bit chilled along with everyone else on the boat. I was literally wringing water out of my dress. So, after just dodging a major bullet, I thought that we would just head to the dock.
      But, alas, there was more fun was to be had.
      We quickly sailed past the dock only to find the crew dropping anchor and indicating that we were at the snorkeling spot. Considering the passing storm, we knew that the visibility under the water would be similar to what we had just experienced above the water. But, as I rarely pass up the opportunity to be in the ocean, I was up for getting in the water. Bob and I donned our snorkel masks and walked down the staircase into the water. We were told that there may be a slight current. I entered the water first and started swimming with all my strength. I briefly stopped to see how far from the boat I had swam, only to be smacked in the face with the hull of the boat. Yes, after trying with all my might, I had made zero progress. Bob and I then grabbed onto the anchor rope and decided that we needed fins. The crew generously supplied us with fins. Now, with fins firmly affixed, we lowered our snorkel masks determined to make it to the coral reef. Again, swimming with all my might, I made it about 5 feet in front of the boat. Immediately upon stopping swimming, I found myself being swiftly propelled past the anchor rope. I knew that if the anchor past me by, I would be swept out to sea. Since death at sea was not what I planned for the day, I grabbed the anchor rope. Thankfully, Bob was also wise enough to grab the rope. While hanging on for dear life, I grabbed a quick photo of the two of us in order to document our near death experience.
      As we breathlessly boarded the boat and moved to our seats, I noticed a fellow passenger who had not been as fortunate as Bob and I. He had been grabbed by the current and was quickly being carried away from the boat. I yelled at him to see if he was okay. (Yes, I know, silly question!) He indicated that he was not okay. I yelled at the crew and told them that this gentleman was in danger. I then turned to him and yelled not to panic, just relax, they were preparing to rescue him with the inflatable boat. I didn't want him to panic and try to swim against the current only to exhaust himself. The crew rose to the occasion and quickly rescued him.
      This excursion again left me questioning, "What were they thinking?" The average age on this boat is probably 70. Who's brilliant idea was it to throw a bunch of rum soaked, geriatrics in a 20 Knot current and tell them to swim?
      After all this excitement, Bob and I headed back to the ship for a warm shower and a moment to catch our breath. We are going to sleep well tonight if we can avoid having nightmares of losing our grip on the anchor rope and being lost at sea.
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    • Day 19–21

      Moorea - Schnorcheln und Wandern

      October 26, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

      Am 2. Tag auf Moorea haben wir eine dreistündige Wanderung zu den 3 Cocotiers unternommen. Wir wanderten durch den Wald, wo wir viele uns unbekannte Pflanzen sahen, zum Beispiel Bäume, deren Wurzeln dünn, aber sehr gross waren. Ich fand es lustig, dass mitten im Wald ein paar Meter Bambus wuchsen, denn sonst hatte es das im Wald nirgends. Die Wanderung war sehr anstrengend, aber wir wurden von der guten Aussicht belohnt. In unserem schönen Hotel hatte es einen Steg, der direkt ins Meer führt. Dort gingen wir nach der Wanderung Schnorcheln. Es hatte ein wunderschönes Riff und viele schöne, bunte Fische. Ein bisschen unheimlich war, dass der Meeresboden hinter dem Riff steil abfiel, so dass er nicht mehr zu erkennen war. Es machte auch Spass, zwischendurch mal abzutauchen.Read more

    • Day 66

      Morea Franz Polyesien

      February 25, 2023 in French Polynesia

      7 Uhr 🕰️ aufstehen ein bisschen hübsch machen 😉😎und zum Frühstück sehr Knapp 😥 dann nochmal in die Kabine denn 8.30 Uhr 🕖 Besammlung zum Ausflug Lagunen Fahrt mit Picknick los gehts 😎 1. Stopp mit Rochen und Riesen Haien 🦈 1 Meter lang 🤣🤣 Baden und Schnorcheln 🤿 genial 😎 2.Stopp bei einem Geschlossenen Ressort das aber noch Delfine 🐬 hat mit denen man Baden kann. Anschliessend fuhren wir zur Lagune um nochmals zu Baden und Schnorcheln mit kleinen Fischen 👍😎 das Picknick war super Mit Grill Fleisch 🍖 Fisch 🐟 und vielen Beilagen 👍👍 Auf dem Rückweg mit dem Boot 🚤 zum Pier kippte das Wetter langsam mit starkem Wind 💨.
      Das Dorf suchten wir also auch hinter der Kirche 💒 war es nicht also fuhren wir mit dem Tender zurück zum Schiff 🛳️.
      17.45 Anker ⚓️ Lichten mit den Obligaten 3 Horn Tönen und der Ausfahrt Melodie gehts los nach Papeete Tahiti 20.00 ⏰ machte der Kapitän 👨‍✈️ das Schiff 🛳️ im Hafen schon wieder fest. Ca 20.30Uhr durften die Bewohner das Schiff verlassen 🤣🤣🥃🍹🍻🍸🍷🤣
      Unterdessen wurde ums Schiff die Arbeit aufgenommen Abfall entsorgen Abwasser abgepumpt und Frisch Wasser 💧 gebunkert.
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    • Day 18

      01.24.2024 Moorea, French Polynesia

      January 24 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌧 79 °F

      Another gorgeous day in the S Pacific visiting the island of Moorea. We had a Snorkel Safari excursion with Viking this afternoon.
      It was wonderful. We went to a coral garden and saw many fish, a blue lip clam and later saw some black tip reef sharks. We have swam with them when we were here 10 years ago.Read more

    • Day 274

      Moorea

      April 4, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

      Heute wollten wir Moorea nochmal richtig erkunden, unser erster kleiner Ausflug hat uns schon überzeugt. Also ging es noch einmal mit der Fähre rüber aber diesmal direkt zum Roller Verleih. Danach einmal im Uhrzeigersinn um die Insel und halt wurde an jedem schönen Strand gemacht.
      Wir hätten noch mehr Stopps eingelegt, aber an einige Strände kommt man nur über private Zugänge (der Strand ist natürlich nicht privat, man kommt dort nur nicht hin). 🙄
      Wir haben trotzdem tolle Strände gefunden und nochmal geschnorchelt was das Zeug hält.
      Ich hab sogar noch eine große Schildkröte gesehen. Beim letzten Gang ins Wasser dachte ich Kamera, lohnt sich nicht nochmal, weil wir schon viel zu viel gefilmt hatten und natürlich haben wir nach kurzer Zeit noch einen Hai gesehen.
      Diese Insel ist wirklich paradiesisch. In der Mitte Grüne, große Berge und umringt von strahlend blauem Wasser. Wir saugen nochmal die Hitze und die Sonne in uns auf. Morgen geht es ganz früh weiter über den Pazifik.
      Wir sind sehr froh hier einen Stopp eingelegt zu haben. ♥️
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    • Day 50

      Moorea, Französisch Polynesien

      December 14, 2022 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

      Was für eine Insel, was für ein Gefühl hier zu sein. Das ist Südsee pur in alles Facetten. Eine so schöne Insel hab ich selten gesehen. Wandern auf die Berge war genau so schön wie im türkisblauen Wasser zu stehen.Read more

    • Day 25

      1. Tag Moorea

      March 11, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

      Moorea liegt nur einen Katzensprung, rund 20km, von Tahiti entfernt und eins kann ich schon vorweg nehmen: Wir waren von Moorea begeistert. Dahin möchte ich irgendwann zurück kehren um länger Ferien zu machen.Read more

    • Day 26

      Feb 16 - Island of Moreea

      February 16, 2020 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

      When we opened the curtains this morning, we were greeted by calm waters, brilliant sunshine and exquisite blue waters. We are anchored at the island of Moorea (MORE-ay-ya) in Opunohu Bay. The island was created by volcanic action so it rises steeply from the water with one road that runs around the island just a few feet from the water’s edge. The island is green, green, green.

      At the breakfast venue that we chose, we were offered either indoor or outdoor seating. Since we most definitely would NOT be eating outside at home, we opted for an outside table. We enjoyed lovely views of the bay and the island. It’s quite warm and humid - the soft Pacific breeze kept it just nice. The service was, as we have come to expect, friendly, upbeat and efficient. Each server asks your name and then addresses you by it for the duration of the meal. John Paul, our waiter, filled us in on a tidbit of information. There is going to be a gay wedding with 120 guests when we get to Bora Bora. There are 77 of those guests on board. We wondered because we saw a gaggle of people all dressed in white seated together last night.

      We picked up our snorkelling gear from the back of the boat where a marina drops down for instant water access for kayaking and paddle boarding. We didn’t book any excursions for today. Tomorrow we have signed up for an e-bike tour of Hauhine. It’s only 4 hours 27 km/17 miles. Our slothful lifestyle of the past couple of weeks might come back to haunt us.

      We spent the morning reading - I know that is a bit sacrilegious - but we are playing it really, really safe with Doug and trying not to trigger another episode like we had in NZ. We both are in the throes of really intriguing books.

      Had lunch outside on the aft deck. The buffet theme changes each day - today it’s “French” - no surprise there. They make pretty good cookies here.

      We read for the afternoon.

      We went for dinner about 6:30 p.m., which was about an hour after we set sail. To our dismay, Doug began to feel terrible. He had to leave the dining room, leaving me to eat alone like a Grade 9 wallflower. I summoned the doctor who checked Doug to make sure that nothing else was going on - stroke, heart attack, etc. Nope, just vicious motion sickness. The doctor gave Doug an injection to make him sleep.

      After a promising start, things are going downhill fast on this cruise.
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    • Day 181

      Hiken in de tropen! 🥵

      January 28 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

      Vanmorgen willen Annika en ik graag een hike maken naar het midden van het eiland, tussen de hoge bergen. Het lijkt maar een korte hike dus we trekken er een paar uurtjes voor uit. Lynn blijft in het huisje en gaat naar het strand om te zwemmen en lekker uitgebreid te douchen en zich optutten want we gaan 's middags lunchen in een hippe tent.

      De weg naar de hike is al erg gaaf, het uitzicht op de bergen is erg mooi, om de toppen hangen nog wat wolken en verder is het lekker zonnig. De hike begint bijzonder want we moeten om half 9 's ochtends tussen een groep hangjongeren door met bizar echt bizar harde muziek op een verlaten parkeerplaats. Het doet gewoon pijn aan ons oren, we zijn enorm verbaasd dat ze dit zelf wel prettig vinden en vragen ons af wat hier achter zit. We stappen er vrolijk langs en wandelen de jungle in. We zijn inmiddels wel wat gewend na NZ dus deze 6 km doen we met 2 vingers in onze neus.... Dachten we... Het is enorm vochtig, het pad is glibberig en modderig en het is vooral heel erg warm! 🥵 Zodra we een beetje moeten klimmen gutst het zweet overal uit en zijn we snel buiten adem. Toch iets andere condities dan we gewend zijn. Toch stappen we stevig door en worden beloond met een mooi uitzicht over het eiland. De terugweg hakt er echter flink in en we zijn compleet uitgeput als we zonder water bij de auto aankomen. Even de ergste modder van onze schoenen en benen vegen en dan de airco aan en eerst 5 minuten bijkomen. Het is inmiddels al te laat om nog te gaan lunchen dus we passen de plannen iets aan. Gelukkig gaat Lynn voor ons een broodje halen in de supermarkt zodat pa en ma even bij kunnen komen. De rest van de middag doen we niets meer, behalve liggen zweten in ons huisje want het blijft enorm warm en we hebben geen airco. Als goedmakertje voor het missen van de lunch gaan we vanavond uit eten in hetzelfde tentje als 2 dagen geleden. Alle tafeltjes blijken gereserveerd in verband met de show van vanavond maar ze maken graag nog een plekje voor deze lange blonde gasten. Ik bestel 'Poison Cru', rauwe vis in kokosmelk, een lokale lekkernij en Annika en Lynn een pizza. Als we ons eten krijgen begint er een band te spelen, vrolijke tahitiaanse muziek en later komen er ook nog dansers bij voor een traditionele dans! Het wordt een erg gezellige avond en Annika en Lynn dansen zelfs nog even mee!
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    • Day 16

      Moorea, French Polynesia

      January 24 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌧 28 °C

      Scott's 50th birthday today! We arrived at the island of Moorea early morning. It was s short distance by sea from Bora Bora. It's Scott's birthday today, so we did well making it a great day and beating his 'fish' story from Bora Bora.
      We headed out for our long excursion to the island on a tinder boat again and met our local guides for almost a full day in the sun and ocean of Moorea. We just wore our water shoes, swimsuits since we would be in the sand and water most of the day.
      They took us around the beautiful blue water coastline while watching for dolphins, turtles and sharks. We did not see any and could not snorkel or get into the ocean due to winds and very strong currents.
      We then went to a beach for lunch and some time there in the ocean. We did not expect to see the birds diving for fish. Scott was in the water with a baby shark, turtle and some small fish. It was amazing how close you can get to them and see through the clear blue water.
      Then back to the ship to relax to get the sand and salt off of us and relax in the hot and cold spa.
      Birthday dinner at 7 in the Italian restaurant on the ship.
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