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Tahiti to Valparisio #257025 10/19/24 06:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Sorry not posted earlier. Arrived in Tahiti two nights before embarkation. Good thing as I forgot my sneakers. Had to buy new ones. Glad I messed up found some sneakers I just love.

All going well some pictures follow. I love the Polynesia churches. [Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

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Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257026 10/19/24 07:01 AM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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We stayed at the Hilton in Tahiti. Nice hotel with outstanding pizza. We got a prime table right over a coral reef and loved watching the fish swimming around

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

HIlton was a beautiful hotel this light fixture reminded me of sails on a boat.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257027 10/19/24 06:08 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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We did a tour in Hiva Oa in the Marquesas islands. We had not signed up for this as most imagined a small car jammed in like sardines. But when we landed the vehicles were all pick up trucks, two people per truck. Fortunately they had room for us so away we went. Our driver was young and had a lot of cousins. Every time we passed someone he said “ my cousin”

He spoke no English just a few words. He kept talking away. Figured out he was married with three children. Nice kid. At the end we gave him a $20 tip. He was thrilled like we had given him a huge amount of money.

It was a 20 minute 4 wheel drive through lush greenery. There was one horse and one cow tied up on way. The cow was in the middle of the road. Plus stunning views of the harbor we ended up at a small village.

They had prepared a performance for us. Lots of singing and dancing on our arrival.

Then the dancing. Ladies first and then the young boys.

There was a very little boy that really wanted to be like the big boys so much fun watching him.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]



Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257028 10/19/24 06:13 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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They demonstrated how they preserve banana so it lasts a year. Basically it was left to rot then wrapped in some leaf. They offered samples I but i just could not eat that. Of course Ken tried it.

You slice this to eat the banana that is wrapped in a leaf. All edible.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Unfortunately we had a bad angle for the dancing pictures.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc][Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257030 10/19/24 10:50 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Today we’re in Nuku Hiva

There was a big swell which makes it hard to get on and off the zodiac. Ken and I have been here before and I remember our visit very well. I have two shoulder problems right now so decided I did not need to risk causing more injury to my shoulders. In these conditions they really have to pull to get you on and off the zodiacs.
Ken said I made a good decision.

It is a beautiful place and I will post some of Ken’s pictures.


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HUGE Banyon Tree

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Stacy, Jim, and Neil.

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Local Children

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Local ladies.

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Women’s flowered head dress

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Chief greeting the dancers.


Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257031 10/20/24 01:51 PM
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jbittle Offline
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In Hiva Oa did you visit the grave site of Paul Gauguin & Jacques Brel? It's a must see with a ceramic sculpture Paul made for his grave. The cemetary is quite picturesque as well.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257033 10/21/24 10:24 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Unfortunately we could not land at Hiva Oa and everyone was disappointed. There there was no way they could risk it the swells were high and slamming against the ship. To me that sounded like the best island to visit.

I also enjoyed Fatu Hiva will be posting now. THey call it the Penis island as there are a lot of Penis looking rocks on the island.

FATU HIVA is one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen. Super lush with an ever changing landscape. Ken took pictures but there are none that showed the variety of the plants, grass and the beauty that this island offers. Large areas that look like a manicured golf course, then rugged boulders. an incredible variety of different trees and plants.

We took a drive from one side of the island to the other to visit another village. They had some tikis, another lovely church and lots of kids enjoying the visitors. Only 4 ships a year visit this island. Pictures from the drive, the small village we visited and a show they did for us near the dock.

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The little white dot in the water is the Silver Cloud.
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This young girl was as good if not better than the other dancers

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This little one was doing her best but not quite old enough yet.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257035 10/23/24 08:30 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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We had two days with a little rough water. Today we are in Mangareva. The biggest island in the Marquesas Islands. Hard to get in here, the ship has to time it perfectly to enter the lagoon. If he cannot get in it is a six mile zodiac ride.

Fortunately he managed to get into the lagoon. It was a little rough and windy. Pictures follow.
The traditional greeting dance
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

The church was the highlight. Full of “ mother of pearl”. Pictures tell the story

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A tree of lychee’s. I love lychees.

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This was the Queens bath tub
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The locals put out a huge spread for the ships guests.
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257037 10/25/24 04:39 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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We are now at Pitcairn Island! Yesterday we arrrived at the island at around 4.00 pm and they knew they would have to wait to land today.
However, they went ashore they said landing was not possible and we would have to wait to see the conditions were tomorrow.

Tomorrow delivered (that is today) we cannot land at the normal landing place BUT we can land on the other side of the island. Loading the zodiac I am watching they do a marvellous job getting people on the zodiacs.

There are some four wheeler type vehicle that can take two at a time up the hill to the town. Or you can walk but there are some steep areas but on a wide road. We are very excited this is the main reason we came on this cruise. Be back with details after we spend our time on Pitcairn Island.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257038 10/25/24 08:32 PM
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Great you could land. Looking forward to photos and report. Unfortunately we couldn’t land the last time we were there with you in 2009. But I remember the day, like it was yesterday with all the islanders coming on board.


Sheila and Ken
Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257039 10/25/24 11:26 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Not what i expected. Always heard about white picket fences and like an old English town. Really glad I had the opportunity to land on Pitcairn but there are no longer white picket fences. I have wanted to land on PITCAIRN for many years. It was NOT easy! We could not get into Bounty Bay, it was too rough so we went to another dock area on the island. It was pretty rough getting from the ship to the zodiacs. Big swells.

Many walked all the way into town, However the four wheelers took those that did not want to walk all the way to town, to a point that was two kilometers down hill on a dirt road to the town. That speed up the process as there were only about 10 four wheelers. It got pretty steep in places. Felt longer than 2 kilometers, but we made it.

The town was small. Sellling their wares at the Post Office and Town Hall, in small stalls on the walking area. The Museum was really quite good with lots of information on the Bounty. Exotic flowers everywhere. Ken walked up a steep hill to see the "long boats" they use in the surf and down to Bounty Bay.

The islanders served a fish and chip lunch. The fish was wahoo and VERY GOOD. Super white and lightly battered. Surprised me how good it was. They brought soft drinks from the ship. They also had a smoothie bar with icecream from New Zealand.

The policeman is always a New Zealander and I believe they are here for one year. Children are sent to New Zealand for schooling although they have a school here for the very young children but there are none of those here at this time.

The vehicles seemed more bumpy on the way back but fortunately they left from the town. No walking required. There was a long line waiting so they rushed it, if you had a bad back this would not be the ride for you. My feet could not reach the ground which made it hard to retain balance and keep in my plastic seat. Every 4 wheeler had a different way to get people on the bike. Some had wooden seats, some had plastic seats, some had pillows. Some just had a hard wood seat and steel back.

Getting back to ship from the zodiacs and onto the ship was VERY hard. Big swells. I was first off on my zodiac but a huge swell came and the two sailors trying to get me on to the ladder could not do it and they fell back into the zodiac. They took care of me getting back to my seat on the zodiac and then we tried it again. Not easy but I got off. Ken was in the zodiac behind me and he saw alll that action and was concerned i was hurt. But I was fine.

Pictures to follow.


Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257040 10/26/24 01:29 AM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

This lady is the representative of the island. She married an American and moved to Alaska. Had children all grown up now and came back to Pitcairn to care for her mother 8 years ago. Her mother is now 93 years old.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]
Our KLT group on arrival to Pitcairn Island. JIM, STACEY, KEN, NGAIRE, BARBARA, NEIL. Having a great time with them onboard.

Off we go on our pillowed four wheeler.
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Some very big trees. The island is full of lush trees and plants.
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The anchor of the Bounty
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The long boats they use to ride the waves.
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Selling their wares, lots of Tee Shirts and Hats were purchased
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This a picture of Bounty Bay where you land right at the base of the town instead of on the other side of the island. Impossible today.

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Our landing site today
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Volunteered as they needed one more person. Ken took this as I sailed away. The water was so beautiful, very clear.
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]


Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257041 10/27/24 02:22 PM
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Loving all your reports and pics. George is of course very jealous that you made it to Pitcairn Island.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257043 10/29/24 01:40 AM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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George would be loving this trip strenuous hikes at all ports many to the highest point on the island.

We get to Easter Island tomorrow once again swells could upset our landing area. I have been to Easter Island at least two times. I would like to go again it looks like from the information we have there will be areas we have not seen before. However, that problem I had on the zodiac after Pitcairn really hurt my shoulder, where I have a torn rotator cuff. Managed it well for a couple of years with excercises and shots only about every year. I called my doctors office for an appointment for the shot during the 10 days I am home. Ken will go and take pictures and I will post those.

If it is hard loading the zodiacs and heavy swells I am going to be sensible and stay onboard.Ken will go and take pictures and I will post those. Seas overall have not been bad, a little rocking now and then but nothing major. It is loading the zodiacs when you realise how big the swells are once at sea level.

The first part of our next trip is an 7 day safari. Need my shoulder back in shape for the safari vehicles.

Big waves crashing on the island.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257044 10/30/24 07:16 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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EASTER ISLAND

As anticipated the water was very rough and we had to go to an alternate landing site. Still had some issues getting on and off the zodiac but the tours operated as anticipated. I went to look at the loading of the zodiacs it was not great and I was told on the way back it was much harder. No arm issues I would definitely have gone for sure.

Two days here, day one for everyone dedicated to the Moais and the second day broken up to different options.

Kens Pictures below.

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Moai and puppy friend.

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The famous seven moai

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Best local dancers ever. Outstanding.

An interesting fact was the Easter Island landing runway was 4 kilometers long, The US government asked for permission to extent the runaway for the Space Shuttle so if there was an issue and emergency this would be a good place for the Space Shuttle to land.

On the second day there is a volcano here with water ponds over the crater. That is what Ken went to see but could not take any great pictures because it was foggy and rainy on the second day. But here is the best he could get.
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Now we have 3 sea days ahead of us until we get to Alexander Selkirk Island. Hoping for calmer conditions.


Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257045 10/30/24 08:28 PM
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Thank you for sharing Ken's fabulous photos! The one with the big white eyes is fun! So sorry about your shoulder limiting your ability to making the landings.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257046 11/01/24 11:10 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Kim and Alice wish you were here. So many sea days and no one to play our cube game!! Looks like our last two islands we will not be landing. Huge swellls are expected. Glad I came - I have my Pitcairn Island discovery done.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257047 11/03/24 12:37 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Halloween. Do you know who this is? Not me! Clever costume for Halloween toilet paper and duct tape. Part of our small group on the ship.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Last night we special ordered pizza. Five large pizzas there were six of us and five pieces. Just one slice was left in the end.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257048 11/04/24 04:09 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Heavy seas last night, fortunately that does not bother me. Everyone, including the Expedition Leader thought the odds of operating today were slim. Looked out the window and the sea was really good. Then the announcement great conditions prepare for a zodiac cruise!!!
We are at Alexander Selkirk Island.

I had decided not to risk hurting my shoulder anymore but the conditions were great so I joined the zodiac tour. So glad I did. Nice seas, seals, albatross, fisherman showing us their catch, lobster pots everywhere. remains of a boat that wrecked on the island during a storm in 2015. Really tiny town that is only inhabitated in the summer season primarilly for lobster harvest.

Tomorrow we are supposed to be in a harbor that avoids all the bad seas so perhaps tomorrow we can land at Robinson Crusoe Island.

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The small town at a distance

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The town close. We cannot land here.
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The local fisherman
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Seals we were very close. We also saw them in the sea but hard to take a picture.

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Albatross very close
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Albatross in flight
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The ship wreck. No one died they were all rescued.

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257049 11/07/24 05:46 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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Robinson Crusoe Island

The weather was beautiful today the sea was calm so I decided to go ashore. Larger than I had expected and we walked from one end of the island to the other. Lots of homes and structures up the hillside the roads were very steep.

So many colorful flowers growing everywhere. Big lily bushes, exotic flowers I would not have expected. Some really beautiful homes as well.

School children stopped us and asked us questions obviously a school project. Everyone onshore seemed super happy. They were selling jewelry and other items but no one bothered you to purchase anything.

That evening they had a farewell party at a local restaurant with a large front lawn. Tents were set up and they had pirates to welcome you. Plus lots of friendly dogs, pisco sours, lobster, crab, and other items.

Welcomed by Robinson Crusoe
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Pretty huge trees and flower pots.
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Welcomed also by Alexander Selkirk - one big statue.
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Cute little goat
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Lovely waterfront even if there were cannons.
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Nice murals around town
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Nice house nice bushes.
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Re: Tahiti to Valparisio [Re: Ngaire] #257050 11/07/24 06:30 PM
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Ngaire Offline OP
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More pictures from the farewell party.

A really nice venue.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]
Main building they had a band.
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The pirate welcome.
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The favorite dog a Samoyed I had one of these dogs in New Zealand.
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]


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