Papeete, Tahiti-Nui, French Polynesia – 2 pm to 11:59 pm, 10 December 2008
A one hour lunch time transit from very nearby Moorea brought m/v Seven Seas Mariner to Papeete where in spite of earlier anchoring plans we docked on the pier adjacent to where m/v Silver Shadow berthed a few weeks ago. Of course, this time I got to sail out later in the evening—listed as “11:59 pm” I believe only to prevent an asterisk on the itinerary if they said 12:00 midnight the next day. (This is a particular issue with Regent Cruises as they seem to be very confused as to how to account as well with crossing the date line. No problem, as the ship does what it does regardless of how it’s listed. See, I do understand all this.)
Unlike last trip to Papeete where I wondered around downtown Papeete for the day and flew to LA overnight, this time I took an excursion. My appetite was whetted for this last trip seeing the fantastic extinct volcano last trip and hearing about the huge waterfalls. So I booked a wet tour into same: the volcano not the waterfalls. The photos above tell the story, but the uniquely Polynesian Christmas decorations which seem to indicate an infestation of Santas climbing the wall was not explained. Returned to the ship 6’ish to shower off loads of sunscreen (not needed) and DEET (definitely needed) and was asleep long before the ship must have sailed at 11:59 pm as the morning view was noticeably all ocean.
On the first of a two day sail to Taiohoe, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Island, French Polynesia where all guests will attend a “Tamure Welcome at a Sacred Marai”. I believe a “Tamure Welcome” will include how to remember how to pronounce “Taiohoe, Nuku Hiva.”
Check back in a few days for a review of the Maquesas Island stop and sooner for LOST AT SEA – II where I will relate the story of the 6 am laundry tragedy and the m/v Mariner’s traditional “mixing of the red wines.”
Whoops, time for the morning bouillon to wash down the two breakfasts of this morning…
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