2023 Grand World Voyage with The Inside Cabin

[Mickb]

How are you finding the larger sized ship against the Amsterdam?

[forwardho]

Thank you for sharing the photo tip ,Pete. Your photos always turn out great.

[CruisingGrandmaW]

Great Photo Tip Pete - TY for sharing.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

3 hours ago, Mickb said:

How are you finding the larger sized ship against the Amsterdam?

The venues are larger so it's less crowded at times.     We have more people now than on previous world cruises so with the larger ship its still less crowded.   

 

Larger ships have pros and cons - but it's the best ship we are on right now!   

Edited January 21, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[shootingstar07]

11 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

  We have more people now than on previous world cruises so with the larger ship it’s still less crowded.   

 

 

Is the ship sold out for the whole cruise?  I love following along. Thank you for the effort.  You must be missing a lot of bingo and trivia events while on your computer! 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Just now, shootingstar07 said:

Is the ship sold out for the whole cruise?  I love following along. Thank you for the effort.  You must be missing a lot of bingo and trivia events while on your computer! 

The ship has about 1400 guests - so not sold out - plenty of good cabins still available!   Still selling segments - Come on down!   There is SO much to do on this cruise - you can't do it all....Unfortunately 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

ISLAND JOY PRESENTS UKULELES IN CONCERT (POST #19)

JANUARY 20, 2023

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We enjoyed a guest concert at Noon and the Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers in the evening – rounding out a nice day

Keith and Nani Lowery (see above photo), The Polynesian Ambassadors, also known as Island Joy, joined the ship in Panama City and have been holding classes and craft projects over the last 10 days.  Here is a partial list of some of the activities:

• Ukulele Classes
• Polynesian Music and Dance Class
• Polynesian Music and Dance Hour
• Polynesian Fitness Class
• Poi Ball Twirling Class
• Sea Shell Necklace Class

Keith and Nani are based in Las Vegas, and you can follow them on Instagram and get more information here

About thirty guests were busy learning to play the Ukulele on sea days.  At Noon today, the Ukulele class assembled by the Lido pool to perform the songs they have learned to play.  They performed for about thirty minutes and were joined by Kolea and Temehami, who danced for the final songs.

The Noon Ukulele Show getting ready to start by the Lido Pool Kelly – whose Hawaiian name is “Kolea” Temehami danced to the final few numbers

 

We spoke with Keith and Nani afterward and learned that they used to be based in Maryland but recently moved to Las Vegas, where they are performing in the local area.

There is a small classroom area next to the Crow’s Nest called the Encounters Room.  A variety of activities are held here, including Adult Coloring and Origami.

The Origami Class in progress in the Encounters Room near the Crow’s Nest

Near the Excursions Desk in the Crow’s Nest, there is an area where guests can post messages where they are looking for other people to meet for games or who might share a common interest.

There are only a few postings in the Community Interest area. Someone is looking for fellow RVers, and another is offering a class on iPhone photography.

 

The Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers returned to the Mainstage this evening for their performance of “Classique”.  These shows are wonderful, and we enjoy them very much.

The show opens with the four Zuiderdam dancers:  Alexei Hawkey, Deven Muhammad, Abigail Smith and Kirsten Flood, dressed in glittery tuxedos, dancing to Coldplay’s hit Viva La Vida.  They were joined onstage by the four Zuiderdam singers:  Kiana Bell, Michael Roach, Sveva Petruzzellis and Cole Cloutier who sang with wonderful harmonies.  They ended the show with a stirring rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and received an enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience at the 9:30 pm show.

Michael Roach singing Bohemian Rhapsody Michael Roach and Sveva Petruzzellis The Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers

 

Kiana Bell and Michael Roach along with Abigail Smith and Kirsten Flood

 

The Zuiderdam singers and dancers earned a standing ovation after their performance of Classique

Edited January 21, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[oakridger]

What a great photo tip Pete!!  Now why didn't I think of that???   

😉

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We were in Papeete Late - visited the food trucks - off to Moorea for an early tour - more later

 

Table 89 takes its show on the road!  Great times!

Edited January 22, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[CruisingGrandmaW]

2 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

We were in Papeete Late - visited the food trucks - off to Moorea for an early tour - more later

 

Usually there are a lot of local families @ Food Carts on Sunday.

So fun to eat amongst the locals and observe the Tahitian Families.

Hope some of the locals were causually getting together for impromtu signing.

Such a special treat when they do.

Thanks for Sharing Pete - can tell by your groups faces you're having a Wonderful Time.

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

5 hours ago, CruisingGrandmaW said:

Usually there are a lot of local families @ Food Carts on Sunday.

So fun to eat amongst the locals and observe the Tahitian Families.

Hope some of the locals were causually getting together for impromtu signing.

Such a special treat when they do.

Thanks for Sharing Pete - can tell by your groups faces you're having a Wonderful Time.

 

 

Are there food trucks at the same spot on Sundays before 6pm?

[CruisingGrandmaW]

52 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Are there food trucks at the same spot on Sundays before 6pm?

Hi Pete:

They are in the same spot.

Can't remember if before 6pm but I would imagine.

The local families were eating their evening meals at the Roulettes - when it was just turning dark.

While being to the French Polynesia via a cruise half a dozen times;

We mainly fly & stay a month in July or August.

So don't know exactly when sunsets in Jan vs July/August.

 

We like island hopping.

Flying via commuter plane - view of islands is something to experience.

The Coral Reefs are so pronounced via air.

 

Maupiti is a kick - miniature Bora Bora 30 minute by Ferry from Bora Bora.

You'd never be able to do it as a side trip from Bora Bora.

Usually, they only run a ferry once in morning & then in the evening.

(Was named in the book "1000 Places You Should See Before You Die".)

Lagoon so pristine you can see down the sides of the deep Coral Walls to Lagoon Bottom.

Lots of fish as tour boats & Suntan lotion from toursim (banned here) had not destroyed the Coral.

Probably too primitive for tourists.

We stay in a primitive A-Frame hut on Maupiti's outer islet.

At low tide we could walk across an outer area of the Lagoon to the Main Island.

No heated water for bathing - only temperature as it comes out of the Rain Water Storage Tanks.

Eat with other guests whatever the family catches that day.

Far Cry from luxury life on HAL 🤣🤣

It's been several years since we saw Maupiti - but on our last stay the resident islanders were still not allowing Chain Hotel/Resorts to be built.

 

Islands while still primitive vs Hawaii - have changed since my first visit in 1995.

Back then no cars on Moorea & outer islands - only scooters.

Open wooden Le Truck was public Transportation.

Same with Huahine, Rangiroa, etc.

The beautiful Tahitian young women would still walk along water edge back then.

Just a Sarong around their hips - bare top - holding their young children's hands as they waded thru the shallow water. 

No tourists to gawk at them - mostly French Vacationers - who were used to topless bathers etc.

Now with American tourism etc - you can understand why that custom went away.

The islanders were a lot poorer back then.

Other than Papeete - most islanders (Moorea for example) spoke only Tahitian or French.

Very little English back then - other than the Hotel Personnel.

 

Well I'm excited for your group.

If weather was good today, I know you enjoyed Moorea today.

 

When I die - surely the French Polynesia is Heaven? !!! 🤞🤞

 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Just now, CruisingGrandmaW said:

Hi Pete:

They are in the same spot.

Can't remember if before 6pm but I would imagine.

The local families were eating their evening meals at the Roulettes - when it was just turning dark.

While being to the French Polynesia via a cruise half a dozen times;

We mainly fly & stay a month in July or August.

So don't know exactly when sunsets in Jan vs July/August.

 

We like island hopping.

Flying via commuter plane - view of islands is something to experience.

The Coral Reefs are so pronounced via air.

 

Maupiti is a kick - miniature Bora Bora 30 minute by Ferry from Bora Bora.

You'd never be able to do it as a side trip from Bora Bora.

Usually, they only run a ferry once in morning & then in the evening.

(Was named in the book "1000 Places You Should See Before You Die".)

Lagoon so pristine you can see down the sides of the deep Coral Walls to Lagoon Bottom.

Lots of fish as tour boats & Suntan lotion from toursim (banned here) had not destroyed the Coral.

Probably too primitive for tourists.

We stay in a primitive A-Frame hut on Maupiti's outer islet.

At low tide we could walk across an outer area of the Lagoon to the Main Island.

No heated water for bathing - only temperature as it comes out of the Rain Water Storage Tanks.

Eat with other guests whatever the family catches that day.

Far Cry from luxury life on HAL 🤣🤣

It's been several years since we saw Maupiti - but on our last stay the resident islanders were still not allowing Chain Hotel/Resorts to be built.

 

Islands while still primitive vs Hawaii - have changed since my first visit in 1995.

Back then no cars on Moorea & outer islands - only scooters.

Open wooden Le Truck was public Transportation.

Same with Huahine, Rangiroa, etc.

The beautiful Tahitian young women would still walk along water edge back then.

Just a Sarong around their hips - bare top - holding their young children's hands as they waded thru the shallow water. 

No tourists to gawk at them - mostly French Vacationers - who were used to topless bathers etc.

Now with American tourism etc - you can understand why that custom went away.

The islanders were a lot poorer back then.

Other than Papeete - most islanders (Moorea for example) spoke only Tahitian or French.

Very little English back then - other than the Hotel Personnel.

 

Well I'm excited for your group.

If weather was good today, I know you enjoyed Moorea today.

 

When I die - surely the French Polynesia is Heaven? !!! 🤞🤞

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.   We have never been to FP except as day tourists from Cruise Ships..

[The-Inside-Cabin]

FLOWERS, PEARLS AND ROULOTTES IN PAPEETE (POST #21)

JANUARY 21, 2023

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We found flowers and pearls in the daytime and the food trucks in the evening

The Zuiderdam arrived in Papeete around 5 am, but we weren’t cleared to go ashore until around 8 am.

We were moored on the south pier today.  Off the map to the north is the other pier where cruise ships may also moor when in Papeete.  The area is under construction, and they are building new facilities – so this may all be different for future arrivals.

 

Note:  There are two piers for cruise ships; one on the northern edge of Place Vai’ete and the other to the south.  You won’t know which one you will use until you arrive.  It doesn’t make any difference as they are both about the same distance from everything – but if someone told you to “turn left” at the end of the pier – then you need to make sure you have the correct starting point.

We left the ship around noon and missed the welcome band and the arrival flowers that were passed out to guests leaving earlier.  It was Saturday, so the Market started to close up around noon and was completely closed by 1 pm, along with most nearby shops.  If you want to maximize your Saturday Shopping Experience – get started by 10 am to have a couple of hours to visit most shops.  On Sunday, the Market closes around 9 am, but double-check before you arrive.

A great day ahead in Papeete

 

If you didn’t have a tour booked – there were still about ten vendors selling tours along the sidewalk on the way to the market.

Plenty of last-minute tours are available.  However, you can’t check the reviews in advance – so buyer beware.  I haven’t heard of any bad experiences with these last-minute tours – but use your judgment.

 

The local tourist information center is across the street on the way to the market.

 

This may be a temporary location – once construction is complete – it may be closer to the piers

 

On the west side of the Market, there is a row of lei stands – we always enjoy picking some up – usually around $5 – $10 USD, and we can get them to last 4-5 days back on the ship.

Most of the stands sell similar leis but check them all out before you buy We bought our leis from Bernadette

 

 Inside the market, most vendors were still open, but they were starting to get ready to close.  At 12:30 there was a loud gong, which was the official sign that it was time to head to the exits.

Inside the market

 

Judy picked up an inexpensive black pearl before everything closed up.

Judy found a nice pearl right before closing time

 

Today is Chinese New Year’s Eve – so there were a lot of shops decorated for the occasion.

Decorations for Chinese New Year

 

Most of the shops in the area were already closed by noon, but one nearby shop that remained open was H and V Boutique-Import, 6 Rue Albert  Leboucher.  They sell loose pearls and fabric, and other items to make clothing.  The pearls are in shoebox-sized bins, arranged by price – ranging from 100 CFP (about $1 USD) to 20000 CFP (about $200 USD).  The bins are inside a closed display case, and once you select a bin for closer examination, they will weigh the bin and then dump the contents on a cloth laid on the counter.  After you are finished, they weigh the bin again, and if the weight is different, you may be charged for the difference.  Google Translate alerted us to this practice as it was posted in French on a sign.  Another reason to use Google Translate.

 

The pearls are in bins sorted by price These are the $20 pearls.

This sign in French warns you that they weigh the bins of pearls – use Google Translate

 

This is a screenshot of the Google Translate sign above

 

Judy selected the 1200 CFP Bin, which weighed in at 992.8 grams, and combed thru the pile before selecting two.  Having them drilled and a “finding” attached was an extra 1200 per pearl.  Each pearl ended up costing 2400 CFP ready to hang on a necklace.  It wasn’t obvious that this store sold pearls, as we stopped inside to look for buttons.  So if you are looking for pearls – stop by H and V Boutique and check out the bulk bins – you will have a better feel for the prices before you head into the Market.

Judy is making her final selections.

 

We decided to walk a big loop back to the ship, stopping by a convenience store, Toa City, and the Super Bazar – as they were about the only stores open after 1 pm.  We enjoy Tim Tams, the delicious cookies from Australia, and we picked up a couple of packages at Toa City to eat later on the ship.

We found Tim Tams at Toa City

I stopped by an ATM to get some local currency – the cost for 15,000 CFP was $138 – the price on the ship was $148 – so you would save $10 by using an ATM (assuming zero transaction fees etc.).  Not a huge difference, and unless you make a large cash purchase – it may not be worth it to you.  Most vendors will exchange USD at a rate of $1 per 100 CFP – so the price for 15000 CFP, in this case, would be $150.

On the way back to the ship, most restaurants were closed, and the few open shops were those selling T-Shirts.

Notre Dame Church

Inside Notre Dame Church

 

Every thirty days you need to complete another muster drill.  As before, no more standing around and all you need to do is find your station, listen to a quick refresher brief and watch the safety video in your cabin

 

Papeete Roulottes

One of the highlights of a late departure is the chance to sample the Papeete Roulottes or Food Trucks.  They start setting up around 5 pm in Place Vai’ete (right next to the ship) and are open for business around 6 pm.  There are usually about six trucks, each with it’s own outdoor dining area, but they appear to be working together and don’t seem to mind if you buy food in one area and eat in another – but I would ask first.  We had several in our group who wanted to try different items, but we still wanted to sit together – it was OK.

There were six food trucks this evening

 

Most food trucks have a Chinese food-style menu, but one sold hamburgers and another crepes.  The food is about 1400 -1700 CFP per meal – Cash only (USD or Francs) but no credit cards, and they don’t serve beer or wine.  Take your time – browse all the menus – then make your choice, find a waiter and order.  You will pay after the meal, and they will not rush you along, and you will have to ask for your bill.

It’s not gourmet food, after all, it’s still a food truck – but it is a fun experience and highly recommended.

Table 89 takes its show on the road

 

The Spirit of Tahiti

Back on the ship, a group of local entertainers performed “The Spirit of Tahiti on the Mainstage at 7 and 9:30 pm.  This is a high-energy, colorful show, with great dancing and singing.  Don’t miss it!

 

Edited January 23, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We did a private 4 x 4 Photo Safari yesterday in Mo'orea - Here is where we stopped - more later

 

[REOVA]

The young man (Polynesian Ambassador) on 2020 told us he and others were from MD as they have a large population and training group there. Who knew. 

 

We love the food trucks. Didn't we overnight in 2018 as some folks did an overnight in Bora Bora bungalows. For some reason we didn't go to food trucks in 2020, did we leave port earlier? 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Just now, REOVA said:

The young man (Polynesian Ambassador) on 2020 told us he and others were from MD as they have a large population and training group there. Who knew. 

 

We love the food trucks. Didn't we overnight in 2018 as some folks did an overnight in Bora Bora bungalows. For some reason we didn't go to food trucks in 2020, did we leave port earlier? 

We stayed late for the trucks in 2018 

 

https://www.theinsidecabin.com/day-19-papeete-tahiti-french-polynesia/

 

In 2020 we left at 6pm

 

https://www.theinsidecabin.com/day-50-papeete-tahiti/

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Arrived Raiatea 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We did Bruno's Snorkel Tour today - We chartered the entire boat - avoided any of the normal shopping stops - Vanilla Farm, Rum Tour, Pearl Farm.   

 

Great tour - Great times!  

 

Our route map and times are shown above - more later -  Tomorrow is an easy day for us - time to catch up on the blog.

 

 

Edited January 24, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[oakridger]

I want to go back to Raiatea for a land trip sometime!  

 

~Nancy

[The-Inside-Cabin]

8 hours ago, oakridger said:

I want to go back to Raiatea for a land trip sometime!  

 

~Nancy

Raiatea is a very nice cruise port - no tendering - shops within an easy walk.   Snorkeling and other water activities are widely available

[alexand278]

On 1/23/2023 at 4:58 AM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

FLOWERS, PEARLS AND ROULOTTES IN PAPEETE (POST #21)

JANUARY 21, 2023

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We found flowers and pearls in the daytime and the food trucks in the evening

The Zuiderdam arrived in Papeete around 5 am, but we weren’t cleared to go ashore until around 8 am.

We were moored on the south pier today.  Off the map to the north is the other pier where cruise ships may also moor when in Papeete.  The area is under construction, and they are building new facilities – so this may all be different for future arrivals.

 

Note:  There are two piers for cruise ships; one on the northern edge of Place Vai’ete and the other to the south.  You won’t know which one you will use until you arrive.  It doesn’t make any difference as they are both about the same distance from everything – but if someone told you to “turn left” at the end of the pier – then you need to make sure you have the correct starting point.

We left the ship around noon and missed the welcome band and the arrival flowers that were passed out to guests leaving earlier.  It was Saturday, so the Market started to close up around noon and was completely closed by 1 pm, along with most nearby shops.  If you want to maximize your Saturday Shopping Experience – get started by 10 am to have a couple of hours to visit most shops.  On Sunday, the Market closes around 9 am, but double-check before you arrive.

A great day ahead in Papeete

 

If you didn’t have a tour booked – there were still about ten vendors selling tours along the sidewalk on the way to the market.

Plenty of last-minute tours are available.  However, you can’t check the reviews in advance – so buyer beware.  I haven’t heard of any bad experiences with these last-minute tours – but use your judgment.

 

The local tourist information center is across the street on the way to the market.

 

This may be a temporary location – once construction is complete – it may be closer to the piers

 

On the west side of the Market, there is a row of lei stands – we always enjoy picking some up – usually around $5 – $10 USD, and we can get them to last 4-5 days back on the ship.

Most of the stands sell similar leis but check them all out before you buy We bought our leis from Bernadette

 

 Inside the market, most vendors were still open, but they were starting to get ready to close.  At 12:30 there was a loud gong, which was the official sign that it was time to head to the exits.

Inside the market

 

Judy picked up an inexpensive black pearl before everything closed up.

Judy found a nice pearl right before closing time

 

Today is Chinese New Year’s Eve – so there were a lot of shops decorated for the occasion.

Decorations for Chinese New Year

 

Most of the shops in the area were already closed by noon, but one nearby shop that remained open was H and V Boutique-Import, 6 Rue Albert  Leboucher.  They sell loose pearls and fabric, and other items to make clothing.  The pearls are in shoebox-sized bins, arranged by price – ranging from 100 CFP (about $1 USD) to 20000 CFP (about $200 USD).  The bins are inside a closed display case, and once you select a bin for closer examination, they will weigh the bin and then dump the contents on a cloth laid on the counter.  After you are finished, they weigh the bin again, and if the weight is different, you may be charged for the difference.  Google Translate alerted us to this practice as it was posted in French on a sign.  Another reason to use Google Translate.

 

The pearls are in bins sorted by price These are the $20 pearls.

This sign in French warns you that they weigh the bins of pearls – use Google Translate

 

This is a screenshot of the Google Translate sign above

 

Judy selected the 1200 CFP Bin, which weighed in at 992.8 grams, and combed thru the pile before selecting two.  Having them drilled and a “finding” attached was an extra 1200 per pearl.  Each pearl ended up costing 2400 CFP ready to hang on a necklace.  It wasn’t obvious that this store sold pearls, as we stopped inside to look for buttons.  So if you are looking for pearls – stop by H and V Boutique and check out the bulk bins – you will have a better feel for the prices before you head into the Market.

Judy is making her final selections.

 

We decided to walk a big loop back to the ship, stopping by a convenience store, Toa City, and the Super Bazar – as they were about the only stores open after 1 pm.  We enjoy Tim Tams, the delicious cookies from Australia, and we picked up a couple of packages at Toa City to eat later on the ship.

We found Tim Tams at Toa City

I stopped by an ATM to get some local currency – the cost for 15,000 CFP was $138 – the price on the ship was $148 – so you would save $10 by using an ATM (assuming zero transaction fees etc.).  Not a huge difference, and unless you make a large cash purchase – it may not be worth it to you.  Most vendors will exchange USD at a rate of $1 per 100 CFP – so the price for 15000 CFP, in this case, would be $150.

On the way back to the ship, most restaurants were closed, and the few open shops were those selling T-Shirts.

Notre Dame Church

Inside Notre Dame Church

 

Every thirty days you need to complete another muster drill.  As before, no more standing around and all you need to do is find your station, listen to a quick refresher brief and watch the safety video in your cabin

 

Papeete Roulottes

One of the highlights of a late departure is the chance to sample the Papeete Roulottes or Food Trucks.  They start setting up around 5 pm in Place Vai’ete (right next to the ship) and are open for business around 6 pm.  There are usually about six trucks, each with it’s own outdoor dining area, but they appear to be working together and don’t seem to mind if you buy food in one area and eat in another – but I would ask first.  We had several in our group who wanted to try different items, but we still wanted to sit together – it was OK.

There were six food trucks this evening

 

Most food trucks have a Chinese food-style menu, but one sold hamburgers and another crepes.  The food is about 1400 -1700 CFP per meal – Cash only (USD or Francs) but no credit cards, and they don’t serve beer or wine.  Take your time – browse all the menus – then make your choice, find a waiter and order.  You will pay after the meal, and they will not rush you along, and you will have to ask for your bill.

It’s not gourmet food, after all, it’s still a food truck – but it is a fun experience and highly recommended.

Table 89 takes its show on the road

 

The Spirit of Tahiti

Back on the ship, a group of local entertainers performed “The Spirit of Tahiti on the Mainstage at 7 and 9:30 pm.  This is a high-energy, colorful show, with great dancing and singing.  Don’t miss it!

 

 

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us. Am I right that the black pearl earrings ended up costing about $80 US?

 

Alexandra

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

MOOREA PHOTO SAFARI (POST #22)

JANUARY 24, 2023

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We venture off the beaten path in search of interesting photo opportunities and celebrate the Chinese New Year back on the Zuiderdam

Promptly at 5 am, the Zuiderdam was underway from Papeete starting the short journey to Moorea, where we anchored in ‘Ōpūnohu Bay.

Tendering started about 8 am and our small group headed ashore for a privately arranged 4×4 Photo Safari.

A quartet welcomed us with music as ladies passed out small tuberose flowers as we entered the craft market area.  The craft market area seems to have expanded since we were here last in March, and I noticed some new restrooms nearby.

Welcome to Moorea!

If you don’t have a tour arranged in advance – there are plenty of last-minute options available.

There were about five similar signs offering private tours

Nyron and Adeline from HAL shore excursions greeted everyone with big smiles (see photo above).

Our tour was advertised as a 4×4 photo safari.  HAL offers a similar tour for about twice the price.  The implication in the tour narrative was you would be accompanied by a photographer who would help you find interesting spots for photographs.  As it turned out, our driver, who was an interesting and knowledgeable guide, wasn’t a photographer, and we visited the view spots that are common to many tours.  We enjoyed the tour, which was a good value, but calibrate your expectations or get more specifics from the tour operator.

Mata, our driver and guide, met our group of eight, and we headed off to our first of ten stops.  Today was Sunday, so most restaurants and many shops were closed.

Pete, Mata and Judy This shows the ten places we stopped on our 4 x 4 Photo Safari

Our first stop was at a place Mata referred to as a Bio Museum or the “Te Fare Natura” – More HERE and  HERE

The Bio Museum was our first stop.

We traveled in a covered pickup truck, with cushioned seats in the bed facing each other with room for four on each side.  Seat belts were available.

Our tour vehicle at our second stop in the pineapple field Mata showing us pineapples

The tour had 4×4 in the name, but while the roads were narrow in a few spots, they were all passable in 2-wheel drive cars.

We visited a few stops using narrow gravel and dirt roads

The Belvedere lookout is a popular spot, and we enjoyed smaller crowds with fairly clear weather for some nice views.

Our tour group at the Belevedere lookout

Here are some photos from the rest of our tour

There were plenty of roosters and chickens at our Marae Ti’i-rua stop We stopped alongside this view of a crater with a small village Mau’aputa was visible at many spots throughout our tour This is a screenshot from the app Peak Finder – available in the Apple Store – highly recommended for identifying mountains worldwide.  Be sure to download the data when you have good Wi-FI The Sofitel overwater bungalows

Our final stop was at Jardine Tropical, accessible via a steep, narrow road.  There is a small Vanilla farm right below the restaurant.  They offer a variety of fruits and juices, and there is a spectacular view of Ōpūnohu Bay and the Zuiderdam.

Mata explained how vanilla flowers are pollinated. View of the Zuiderdam from the Jardine Tropical

Judy picked up another pearl from the craft market, and we enjoyed this sign that declared they only had REAL pearls.

Real Pearls only !!

Back on the ship, we celebrated Chinese New Year.  There was a special menu in the Lido, so Table 89 enjoyed dinner upstairs while sporting our Chinese New Year’s clip-on hats.

Fabulous Sushi ready to eat in the Lido – Photo by Pam C Table 89 wearing our clip on hats – celebrate Chinese New Year in the Lido

Comedy Trio, The Biddy’s, was on the mainstage.  Their show reminded me of a little more risqué Carol Burnett skit.  With extensive use of double-entendre jokes – the three ladies played off each other as they performed short skits intermixed with a few songs.

The Biddy’s put on a funny show

Tomorrow we will be in Raiatea

[The-Inside-Cabin]

14 hours ago, alexand278 said:

 

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us. Am I right that the black pearl earrings ended up costing about $80 US?

 

Alexandra

 

Earrings would cost about $15 USD above the cost of the pearl.   So - a 2000 CFP pearl would cost about $35 each or $70 for a pair....

 

$80 is about right

 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I love the Belvedere Lookout - but has been a long time since I have been there.