Saturday, February 18, 2012

Thursday February 16, 2012 Day 42 Papeete and Moorea Island, Tahiti

Welcome to Papeete – which means water from a basket. Papeete is the capitol of the French Polynesia located on the Island of Tahiti.  Polynesia means “many islands” refers to a sub region of Oceania, consisting of over 1,000 islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. Papeete is famous for beautiful beaches, pearls and delicious tropical fruits.

We left the ship by 8:30 and were met on the docks by native drum players and singers. We then proceeded to the information center and on to the 9:00 Ferry to the Island of Moorea, 30 minutes away.

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (2)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (7)

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (4)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (10)

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (13)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (22)

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (36)

We were looking to rent scooters, but opted for a Bugster or dune buggy.

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (32)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (33)

There is only one road which circles the whole Island. We headed away from the city center, looking for a private beach to swim. As we drove, we came across some small villages and some fisherman fishing in the shallow waters.  We found a new business for Nanc, but boy it was spendy!!

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (47)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (46)

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (72)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (71)

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (77)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (92)

We drove through rain storms, bumpy roads (where I lost Jerry’s IPhone Sad smile I was holding it on my lap and the buggy doesn’t have solid floor boards…we spent about 1/2 hour retracing our tracks, to no avail. So, with a heavy heart we looked for a beach.

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (101)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (103)

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (105)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (117)

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (119)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (126)

2012-02-16 World Trip 042  World Cruise January 24 2012 At Montevideo Uruguay 015042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (144)

 

2012-02-16 World Trip 042  World Cruise January 24 2012 At Montevideo Uruguay 030042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (171)

We took the last Ferry back to Papeeta and shopped in the tropical rain showers that just poured down, but that didn’t stop us!

2012-02-16 World Trip 042  World Cruise January 24 2012 At Montevideo Uruguay 0372012-02-16 World Trip 042  World Cruise January 24 2012 At Montevideo Uruguay 038

042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti (183)042  World Cruise February 16 24 2012 At Papeete and Moorea Isl Tahiti

Back at the ship, we attended a Polynesian festival with native music and dancers.

 2012-02-16 World Trip 042  World Cruise January 24 2012 At Montevideo Uruguay 0442012-02-16 World Trip 042  World Cruise January 24 2012 At Montevideo Uruguay 042

We found Tahiti and Moorea as beautiful islands that we would some day like to return to.  Our next stop will be Sunday at Pago Pago.

1 comment:

  1. The water looks so warm! From the pics also looks like you guys had quite an adventure through the rain and on the moped! The dancers and night life look really interesting and fun as well. Is there couples dancing and showing off every night like the cruise ships in the past? You guys need to show them how its done ;) Love you guys

    ReplyDelete