We docked in Papeete this morning about 6 AM.  We arrived so late at night on Dec 27 that we were unable to see any of the city, so this is really our first view of it.  Quite a modern city, with many tall buildings and people bustling around.  Still a pretty island ....
Have to be out of our cabin by 8 AM, but Princess is taking good care of us until our flight at midnight.  We have use of the common areas, they will safely store our luggage (even our carry-ons) so we can go out exploring in Papeete, and we can even use the showers in the spa. 
We will arrive back at LAX tomorrow morning about 10 AM.  Many of the ship's passengers are continuing on to Honolulu and then LA ... on this ship.  The price of that voyage is about the same price as the airfare home, and a lot more pleasant than flying!
Goodbye and thanks for going with us on this island journey.
Suzan and Craig

Bora Bora, Jan 5, 2015

What a wonderful day this was !  Not enough time spent in Bora Bora, but something to come back to in the future.

On the pier

We had a helmet dive scheduled for today, so went ashore around 10 AM … quite warm and sticky.  We were greeted by local musicians and a permanent arts and crafts building, with multiple vendors.  It was just too hot to be inside, though. Beautiful shell necklaces and everyone had Tahitian pearls for sale.

While waiting for our dive boat, it started pouring down rain and that was a welcome relief, believe me.  So, we got wet even before going into the water.

Downpour!

Going down for dive

The helmets weigh about 80 pounds and have air pumped into them through the yellow hoses.  It was quite fantastic.  Since Craig still cannot get his eye contaminated by the sea water, this was perfect for him.  We went down 10 feet and saw the most beautiful marine life, as you can see from these pictures.  Craig said that I was smiling the entire time.

Craig and Suzan

Clowning around and manta ray

 

Raiatea, Jan 4, 2015

We entered the “lagoon” arround Raiatea about 8 AM today and the water was beautiful! The coral reef around the island protects the island from the tides and strong seas.  There are 8 “passes” through the coral reef to reach the lagoon around the island. 

 

The coral reef

There are many, many small motu islets, some with just one coconut tree.

Motu

Natives welcoming us

Raiatea is the “sacred island” of the Maohi people with its marae temples of worship, most of which were destroyed by missionaries.

There are 2 main roads with most of the 12,000 + residents living around the main village.  The west side of the island has no market, but there is a mobile market bus that travels along the road and delivers staples to the inhabitants.  All the shops were closed today, since today is Sunday.

The 2 gas stations are out of gasoline as their delivery was delayed … holiday, you know.  So, there was a scarcity of available tours.  We took an 2 ½ island bus tour, which visited a small family-owned pearl farm and the Tainuu Marae, on the site of which a church had been built.  

Tainuu Marae

 

Lots of lush vegetation but everything is very expensive. 

Rangiroa, December 3, 2015

After another day at sea, which passed quickly with a formal night, we docked in Ranoria, which is a large atoll.  Below is a satellite map showing the atoll.  The white outer perimeter are the islands …. The blue inner area is the lagoon.  Not much land and lots of sea.  Since Craig is not allowed to go snorkeling so soon after his cataract surgery, we did not get to see all the amazing fish in the lagoon.  Next time ….

The main economy is based on Tahitian Pearl farming.  We went on a tour of the Gauguin Pearl Farm, which is about 6 miles from the dock.  It was quite fascinating, as

Tecknician inserting bead into Black Lipped oyster

the tour guide explained the process of starting the pearl in the oyster, the length of time needed for the pearl to grow, etc.  We actually were able to watch a technician “seed” the pearl.

Then he explained how the pearls are graded, etc.  All grading is done by the Tahitian governmental agency.

Tahitian Pearls

 

Tour Guide showing pearl cut away … bead inside pearl

 

                       

Local Grocery market

 

Craig on the ocean side of atoll

Beach is composed of broken down coral

 

           

January 1, 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!  Hope you had a safe, but enjoyable New Year’s Eve. 

We got all dressed up for dinner; I had a nice lobster dinner, and Craig had filet mignon with pate.  They gave us cute hats and noisemakers …. But, Craig and I did not go to the party in the nightclub afterwards.  Surprise, huh?

This morning, we docked in Hoku Niva, which is the largest of the Marquesa Islands.  There isn’t much to see, other than some of the local people with their carved wood and jewelry, and some buildings.  They don’t have any beaches, as the mountains come right down to the sea.  We were told that the Marquesans are the people who sailed out and inhabited Hawaii and Easter Island.  I cannot comprehend how brave they had to be ….

Harbor at Naku Hiva

Greeting party on the dock

See, no beaches !

 

Local Bank

 

We just took a walk around the harbor and then came back to the ship to cool down.  After all, one can only take so much of beautiful scenery !!!!!

It’s a lot of fun  when everyone is out by the pool, clouds roll in, it pours down rain for about 5 minutes,  and then the clouds just roll on out again.  In Hawaii, I remember the daily light showers, but this rain pours.