We landed in Papeete at 5:15 am on Dec. 5th, 2018. Left Los Angeles at 11:05 pm on Dec. 4th. Only an 8 hr. flight, but overnight and time changes. This is still an airport without jetways, so you walk into the airport from the plane.
Then we are greeted by the Travel Agency. John Gullo, Kim Chase, Johnny and Jerri Gullo arrived about 30 minutes after us. That's 5:30 am on Dec. 5th.
Next, we head to the hotel that we had for 1 night before boarding the "Image" Catamaran. It was a great hotel. The Manava Suite Resort.
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| Bob enjoying the view |
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| Johnny and Jerri |
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| Bob and I enjoying a drink at the waterfall pool |
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| Infinity pool |
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| The view from the pool area |
We were there so early, we had planned a 4 Wheel Drive Tour of the Island for the day. It was a pretty rough ride, but saw so beautiful sights.
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| Beautiful falls all around |
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| We were in the back of a Ford Ranger. The top was taken off in the forest, but it's hot in Tahiti in December. |
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| Not our guide but one that preferred to dress native |
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| Like I said Beautiful Waterfalls. |
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| Our guide |
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| Small ponds in the bottom of the crater |
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| Beautiful scenery, you could imagine the dinosaurs peeking out |
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| Ditto |
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| Stopped for a swim in one of the clear fresh water ponds. |
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Next morning, Dec. 6th, after breakfast, we headed to the dock to meet our home for 10 days. A 58 ft. Catamaran.
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| The "Image" |
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| Bob and I spent most of the time up front, especially while sailing |
After sailing to Moorea, we anchored in a cove on the northside protected from the wind. The Paul Gauguin, a small cruise ship, was anchored there as well. We're scheduled to sail on it in 2020. We were able to go out to snorkel at a reef, not far from the boat.
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| Along the shore of Moorea |
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| Flowering coral on the reef |
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| More fish |
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| One of the many fish |
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| and still more |
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| the Paul Gauguin Cruise Ship |
I was really tired, and since I hadn't slept since the plane, we all retired early. The boat didn't have air conditioning, so the cabins were hot, especially if it rained and the vents had to be closed. Bob and I slept up on the deck. I still didn't sleep, so the next day, I was a little under the weather.
Also, the 7th was the crossing from Moorea to Huahine, a 11-18 hour crossing. After breakfast, we snorkeled over to an area that had some carvings in the coral.
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| One of the carvings |
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| Another carving. It was cloudy, so the pictures didn't turn out so well |
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| Brain coral with fishes |
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| The clams were unreal, so many colors |
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| the Coral was colorful |
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| Captain Laurent and first mate Florence. Our French Chef, Nicoli, carved the pineapple for dessert at noon. |
The crossing was that evening, 11 hours arriving around midnight. Some rain and rough, I was the only one that was really seasick, but most were not in the mood for the dinner that evening. The ones that ate said it was great. The next day, the 8th, we were in Huahine. John, Kim, Johnny and Jerri went on a 4X4 to a Pearl Farm and pineapple plantation. Bob and I took the Kayaks out for a trip that morning while they were gone. After a trip for ice at the store, we moved to another location. This was our overnight spot. We normally motored around the islands, only setting sail for the longer trips.
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| Speckled eel at the dock in Huahine |
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| Bob in Kayak |
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| The Image from the back |
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| Just resting |
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| Beautiful island |
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| We had cell service everywhere |
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| Huahine dock |
The captain picked this overnight spot because the manta rays come here early morning for a spa treatment (small fish clean parasites off their underbelly). This was to be around 6:30 am. Bob and I slept on deck and in order not to disturb the late sleepers, we made a habit of swimming when we get up around 6 am before breakfast. The captain and us went back out at 7:30 am and swam with the manta rays. Just off the boat. Nobody else wanted to get up and go, so they missed a treat. Pictures aren't great, sun not up yet and not enough light. This is also a deep sandbar area so no contrast.
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| Saw 4 manta rays |
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| Different angle |
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| Fish under manta ray is actually cleaning the ray. |
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| Laurent swimming along side of ray |
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| Loved to get a straight on view |
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| Bob swimming and videoing the rays |
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After snorkeling, we had breakfast and motored around the island to have lunch and a true Polynesian Traditional meal. Tried different dishes, even the raw fish in coconut milk. Was really pretty good even though I don't eat sushi or coconut. This was on the 9th of Dec.
We motored back to the overnight sight from the night before so we could possibly see the mantas the next morning.
Next morning (Dec 10th), we went in early, and then again with the captain. We saw the mantas, but the sea was stirred up and pictures didn't turn out as good. For lunch, everyone except John and Kim went over to the beach for a Polynesian Bar-B-Que. Bob and I kayaked as did Johnny and Jerri.
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| Bob and I kayaked around island past this Bed and Breakfast |
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| Bob cracking a coconut |
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| Johnny shredding coconut meat to get juice for milk |
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| Cooking lunch over fire |
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| We hiked in a giant bamboo forest, see size of bamboo |
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| Bob and I in Forest |
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| Johnny and Jerri kayak back to boat |
Back to the boat and a stop at Huahine for quick stop for laundry and ice. The boat doesn't make enough ice and the freezer can only hold so much, so we purchased an ice cooler for extra ice and drinks. Then we sailed from over to Raiatea, only a 2-3 hr. crossing and much smoother, again arriving after dark. No one had any problems with this crossing. Went into the Lagoon for the night, then the next morning, the 11th, to the harbor for a hike of 3 waterfalls on the island. John stayed on the boat. It was really a hot day. The hike, in the forest as you'll see from pictures, wasn't easy.
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| Sunrise over the lagoon |
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| Dock at Raiatea where we met guide for hike |
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| Help getting through Water Crossing on hike |
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| Me resting after climb |
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| Working our way up |
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| Jerri and I in 1st Waterfall |
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| Making our way to the second waterfall Note the rope I'm using to climb with |
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| Kim's turn to haul herself up |
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| Cascading falls |
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| The ladies in the Second waterfall, the climb was worth it |
We didn't make it to the third waterfalls, Jerri slipped in the second pool and skinned her leg really bad. So we headed back; it was also starting to rain. I wish I had gotten a picture of the knotted rope we had to climb to get to the 3rd falls, it would have been a challenge. I guess we were lucky we didn't have to go. After returning to the boat, John, Kim, Johnny and Jerri decided to fly on to Bora Bora to the over the water Bungalows we were going to in 4 days. The sail boat wasn't their cup of tea. So, Bob and I had the boat to ourselves with the 3 crew members. We had lots of ice and food.
After they left, we loaded up and motored to a snorkel spot for the night. It was just inside the reef so were able to take the dingy over to the reef. Great snorkeling.
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| Just a school of fishes |
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| Reflection from above |
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| Corals were beautiful |
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| Different colors |
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| Fish taking cover in the coral |
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| This yellow fish was hard to get a picture of, kept darting into the coral |
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| Yellow Coral Polyp, if you waved at it it would close up. There were real royal blue ones too |
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| Just love this fish |
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| Back on the boat for a rainbow |
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The next morning, the 12th, we went back out to the reef for more snorkeling. Saw our first shark, just a black tip reef shark, but probably 6 or 7 ft long.
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| Can barely see the shark! It blends in so well |
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We then headed to the Pearl Farm and the Coral Gardens. This was really a drift snorkel where the current carried you through the different channels through the coral. It was really swift. Florence took us out along with Nicoli, our chef. This was on the West Side of Tahaa.
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| Relaxing in the water to cool off before heading to the Coral Gardens |
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| Nicoli, our Caanes French Chef, actually from Moscow |
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| So Clear |
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| Taken above the water as I was feeding the fish a banana, interesting abstract |
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| Another Day goes to Night |
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The next morning, Dec. 13th we set sail to Bora Bora after a quick trip over to the Coral Gardens for one more ride down the shoot. They were hoping the current had died down some, but no luck, still really swift. Also, below are the sleeping quarters in the boat, the expected and norm for boats (no A/C unless you run a generator all the time). Bob and I slept on deck almost every night for the breeze and fresh air.
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| John's Cabin |
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| Our cabin and Bath room |
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| Stingray from the boat as we were getting ready to set sail |
We had a tail wind with just enough, so the Captain put up the Spinnaker
sail. As we rounded the island of Bora Bora to enter the lagoon on the
west side, we saw the Hilton with their over the water bungalows.
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| The Spinnaker |
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| Bora Bora as we headed to the only opening around the island |
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| Hilton Bungalows |
We anchored there on the west side of Bora Bora, hoping for Mantas and Stingrays in the morning. After anchoring, Bob and I went swimming and snorkeling just in the area. Mostly to cool off.
The next morning (Dec 14), we went looking for Manta Rays, no luck this time. As the tour boats came out to feed the sting rays, we joined them. It was great. Not as many rays as in Sting Ray City in Cayman, but enough. Also, there were many other kinds of fish and sharks are there for the feeding.
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| One of the tour boats |
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| The sharks were just among us |
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| Even the gulls were fed |
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| Did I say close! |
After lunch, we headed around Bora Bora, past our future bungalows, where we would anchor for our last night on the boat. Once anchored we took the dingy out to go to another Coral Gardens. This one didn't have a current, just a lot of coral, clams, and fish.
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| Our Bora Bora Bungalows (Le Meridien) |
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This was our last night on board. The next morning, we went back to the Coral Gardens for one final snorkel trip. Then headed to dock to rejoin the rest of our group.
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| Kim waiting on the dock for us |
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As we said goodbye to that segment of the trip, we're on land at the Le Meridien Resort. This is living the good life.
After we checked in, we did some exploring and then headed to the bar to meet John, Kim, Johnny and Jerri for a light dinner at the bar. The next morning we had breakfast brought to our room by canoe. Then watched the feeding of the string rays on the lagoon side of the resort and went to the turtle hospital for the feeding of the turtles.
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| Bob with coffee relaxing on patio of our bungalow |
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| Breakfast is served in bungalow |
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| Trip around lagoon while breakfast is being set up |
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| Somewhat tame feeding after what we've already seen |
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| Bob relaxing |
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| Neat reflection of sting ray on top of water. My foot got in the picture |
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| Chapel at resort |
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| Sting Ray |
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| This is Jordan, it gets to swim in lagoon |
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| Resort view from beach |
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| Turtle in hospital waiting to be fed by visitors |
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| Turtle lagoon |
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| In the Sun Skillet (only for a minute) |
We had the leftovers from breakfast for lunch, then had light summer. Breakfast was included so we headed to the restaurant. Great breakfasts, had big breakfast, and watched the fish swimming along the waterfront. Spent the day laying by the beach and took a sailboat ride in the Polynesian outrigger.
Evening over at the Italian food restaurant at St. Regis Resort.
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| A walk along the Beach |
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| My Man |
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| Polynesian outrigger |
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| Looks like the Sailboat is in the middle of the bungalows. |
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| Our captain, Ken |
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| Bob and I relaxing on the sail |
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| Christmas Tree at our resort |
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| Jerri and I at the St. Regis |
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| Beautiful white orchids on the tree at St. Regis |
So now it's time to start the journey home. We can't leave Bora Bora until 5:00 pm so we just lounge around the resort until time to leave. We leave Papeete at 9:00 pm and arrive in Los Angeles at 7:00 am on Dec. 19th. Been a great 2 weeks
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| Heading to the Plane |
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| Say Good-bye to Bora Bora |
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Home now waiting for another adventure
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