Jan 4 - Papeete & Cruise

We had a interesting dinner at the food trucks last night with Cindy and Mark from Florida.  There were about about 20 trucks, each selling different foods like crepes, various b-b-q meats, several Chinese options,  hamburgers, pizza,  and more!   We cruised the trucks then decided on Chinese.   Each truck had set up tables and chairs for their customers who were composed of both Polynesians and tourists.  It was like a big party by the port and was an interesting experience that we were pleased to try.

Food trucks getting set up

Another view of food truck area

This morning our ship arrived in port and began unloading before we went to breakfast in the hotel.  There's no way one could leave this breakfast hungry!   We had a choice of a hot beverage,  and a juice plus bread or croissant,  eggs or pancakes,  side item and meat.  Regardless of your choices, the price was the same for all,  and the food was good.   After breakfast we went back to our room to finish packing and relax before leaving for the port.

We walked the few blocks to the port schlepping our suitcases and were able to leave them there while we set out to hunt for pearls.  We learned about the most reasonable place to purchase pearls in the islands and we're pleased to learn it was only a couple blocks away from the port!  The shop was separated into two sections - downstairs were all the jewelry pieces already made up.  Upstairs were the loose pearls and the settings to choose from,  the option we choose.  

A very knowledgeable salesman guided us to a table right by the air conditioner and drinking water which was a great way for him to start with us!  He helped us select just the right "black" pearls with both some green and purple coloring in them,  just what I had hoped for!  We selected the settings and a chain then we're able to watch them being drilled and set. The end result was a lovely pair of earrings and matching necklace which I plan to wear to dinner tomorrow night,  since I have to wait 24 hours before wearing them.  In addition to the fact that these were exactly what I'd hoped for,  now there's no pressure to chase after pearls everywhere we go!

Pearl Salesman

Jeweler who drilled & mounted my pearls

We returned to the ship, checked in and received our gold stateroom card,  and went to lunch in the buffet with everyone and their uncle - talk about crowded!   The rooms weren't available yet but fortunately ours became available 30 minutes before our circle island tour of  Papeete.  Our suite is lovely with plenty of room,  a large walk-in closet, tons of storage, bathroom with shower and huge tub complete with two types of bath salts.  The balcony had two very comfortable padded chairs and it's covered,  so we can spent time out there without getting burned in the sun.  Bags hadn't arrived yet, so we dropped a few things off then went out to meet our tour guide for the afternoon. 

Bed & dining table

Desk area with laptop provided

 Living room with champagne!

 Bathtub in our large bathroom

Balcony

The tour ended up being just two couples and our tour guide who was filling in for his ill friend who has the fever, carried by mosquitos, that's been rampaging through the islands.   Fortunately we were aware of this before we left and brought a product with us that has the highest possible concentration of Deet, the only thing that repels these nasty little mosquitos.

Our tour took us around the perimeter of Tahiti including past a mountain that's owned by the Chinese.  They were initially brought to Tahiti to work on the cotton plantations which ceased to exist not long after they arrived. The Polynesian queen gave the mountain to the Chinese,  some of whom returned to their homeland,  however most of them remained here.   Today there are many successful Chinese in Tahiti,  and the mountain still belongs to them. 

England originally owned Tahiti but traded it to the French in exchange for part of New Zealand.  Many Tahitians were against the French take-over and fought against them unsuccessfully.  Today numerous homes fly blue flags outside to indicate their displeasure with French rule.  Our guide said he definitely does not want independence for Tahiti,  as the islands would then lose the governmental support they currently have.

On the tour we visited Point Venus where both Captain Cook and Captain Bligh from Mutiny on the Bounty landed. 

Monument dedicated to the Bounty & crew

A gorgeous waterfall,

  

a grotto, and a water garden completed our tour.

Everywhere we went the flowers were incredible!  The variety and colors of flowers in the ginger family is truly amazing!

Ginger flower

The tour ended back at our ship shortly before dinner.  We had a tasty dinner in the dining room before retiring for the night.  The ship was  scheduled to sail early the next morning for Moorea.