April 10

This post will cover Pitcairn Island and French Polynesia. First, here’s an glimpse of the view from my balcony while sailing in the South Pacific.




Pitcairn Island - We did not go ashore at Pitcairn Island - instead, around 40 of the roughly 70 inhabitants came aboard ship to sell their wares and tell us about their island. Pitcairn Island is the island that Fletcher Christian ended up on after disembarking Captain Bligh & some of Bligh’s supporters from the Bounty. The inhabitants of Pitcairn Island are primarily descendents of Fletcher Christian and other sailors from The Bounty. Betty Christian gave a very informative presentation about their island. She is well traveled and well spoken. Prior to arriving at Pitcairn Island, we were able to watch The Bounty starring Mel Gibson & Anthony Hopkins which is relatively factual according to our lecturer.



Natives arriving in their longboat.



Pitcairn Natives selling souvenirs on our Pool Deck.



Pitcairn Island - Shed at lower left is where long boat is stored.




Another shot of Pitcairn Island.


Papeete, Tahiti - Went on a tour where we saw a beautiful waterfall, gardens and Marae Arahurahu. A marae is an ancient temple or meeting place where pre-colonial islanders worshipped their Moahi gods. On the way to the marae, the tour guide explained that every November, a male was sacrificed to the gods at this site (didn’t catch whether she said they volunteered or where chosen). Before we arrived, she encouraged us to be respectful of this sacred site, so everyone was quiet - you could only hear the birds chirping. The site felt very peaceful and everyone seemed to be touched by the experience.
In the evening a group of Tahitian performers came on board our ship and put on a lovely show (no pictures).


Cruising into Papeete, Tahiti



View of Matavi Bay & Moorea from Tahara's Viewpoint



Arahoho Blowhole - a few unlucky fellow tourists got drenched
by a huge wave that came up over the railing.




Me & Vaimahutu Waterfall



Marae of Arahurahu - Markers listing ancestors of human sacrifice.



Marae of Arahurahu



More Markers


Where Ceremony was Organized


Moorea - Moorea was beautiful - probably my favorite of the islands. The tour I took was a tour with a photographer. He gave us some useful tips and hopefully you will see the benefits as my picture taking evolves.


Arriving in Moorea



View from Magic Mountain



Another view from Magic Mountain.



Mt. Rotui




Couldn't see the mountain top, but the sun through the clouds was interesting.



Welcoming Committee at Moorea


Bora Bora - It appears that Bora Bora has become a little congested. I think a vacation at a resort on one of the motu’s (islet) with the grass covered huts would be quite enjoyable. Less congestion and closer to water sports. They say this island was the inspiration for the island Bali Hai in South Pacific. We did have a bloody mary at Bloody Mary’s!



Arriving in Bora Bora - not enough sun to see the different colors of blue in the water.


Resort at one of the Motu's (islets)



Fa'anui Bay



Matira Beach



Ruth, a Local, Gigi & I at Bloody Mary's



Due to rough seas, we were not able to stop at Rarotonga, Cook Island. Next, New Zealand & Australia…..