April 9, 2025

Kim found a phone, we have not had service for over a week.

After a very wonderful day at Anaa Island, we made it to Tahiti for our 3 day stop.  At Anaa Island, we were treated to a Polynesian Dance and songs along with tasty treats served on a banana leaf.  There was a vanilla bean grower that sold her fresh vanilla beans,we saw them growing, cool.

We’ve had a very busy 3 days here in Papeete.  The first day was an Island tour where we saw many historic sights, a beautiful waterfall, a light house and a black sand beach. 

Yesterday, we took a catamaran trip to the Island of Moorea where we snorkeled with sharks and stingrays.  Followed by a delicious lunch, prepared by the locals on their special Island.  This trip was all day and rather tiring. 

Today, 147 passengers debarked the ship and 168 new passengers embarked, we now have 238 guests on board. 

On the final day in Papetti, we did some shopping.  I took this opportunity to do some Black Pearl shopping.  I think I did a good job of picking out some that looked great, but weren’t too pricey. 

The reason for the long stop in Tahiti was, as you may recall, to repair the stabilizer on the starboard side of the ship.  I was excited because I should have a great view from my balcony.  After seeing no activity the first day, I asked the captain what was going on.  “The water is too murky, and they cannot see well enough to make the repairs”, was his answer.  Finally, the last night, some work was getting done.  I haven’t seen the captain again to ask if the repair got completed or not.  With this being an expedition ship verses an ocean liner, there are no more ports where the work could be done until we get to Darwin on May 9^th.  Also, while at port in Tahiti, they emptied all the ballast tanks which allowed the ship to rise and the crew was able to prime and paint all the scratches caused by running into ice in Antarctica. 

This new group of cruisers has my hopes up for rekindling Cruise chronicles.  I was going to use the elevator, but there was a couple standing right in front of the button.  Staring at the floor directory, he says, “I wonder why the 9^th floor is all faded out?”.  He read each line item with a question in his voice, so I told them “Don’t worry, they’re all still there”.  He replies, “I know, I’ve been on his ship before”, and walked off.  At least I got them to move out of my way.  So, about the directory signs, the area on the floor you are currently standing on are bold, assumably to help you know what floor you are on.  All the other floors are not bold, pretty smart, ya think? 

Then came the 4:00 mandatory safety meeting.  I got there a few minutes early and had a margarita in hand.  The group of guests next to me saw I had a drink and one of them said should we get a drink?  Sure, but where?   (There is a bar that you cannot miss as you enter the venue), seriously?

As we left our stop on another Polynesian Island, there are 118 islands in Polynesia by the way, we were treated to a lightning storm as the backdrop to Bora Bora at dusk, sorry no pictures, just burned into our brains. 

For those that check regularly and don’t find a new post from me, I apologies, this trip is wonderful and completely stimulating to our minds and bodies.  Hang in there, I’ll try to keep you up to date.

More later…………………