Raiatea, French Polynesia

It’s Raiatea day. (Rye Ah Tay Ah). Today we took a 4 wheel drive around the island and up into the mountains. It was in a Land Rover pick up truck. The seating was in the truck bed and was two bench seats running from front to rear. Ours had 4 people on one side and three on the other side. They did try to put a fourth on our side where I was sitting and then thought better of it and decided to put 9 in the other vehicle and leave ours with the 7. Our driver guide was a local girl. I am not sure what she told us. The vehicle had no sides and just a canvas over us. It rained several times. That was loads of fun.

She drove very fast and you couldn’t hear much from the wind noise. Whatever language she was speaking, I did not understand and I think she had a speech impediment on top of it. She was a good driver though. Handled the stick shift like a race car driver. And there lied a big problem. There was not room for legs. As we were facing the people on the other side of the truck, our legs were making us more intimate with our fellow passengers then most cared to be. However, I think the nasty lady across from me was trying to become far more familiar with me then I cared for. I don’t mean Bobbi or Muriel. I had to put that in so they don’t get POed at me when they read this. It was a little sucker with yellow teeth that kept uttering stupid remarks. Had she been a cute young broad, I would have had a good time but she was far from that and was just freaking me out. I guess I am now attracting the totally wrong kind of beast.

The sights were great. The Island is mostly jungle, sparsely populated and very mountainous. The switch backs and off road bumps had our legs about ready to fall off.

This is the second largest island in the group and just slightly smaller then Tahiti. To the Polynesians it is the most important island. They originally named it Havai’i. They believe this is the first island populated by them. From there they spread to all the other islands from Hawaii to New Zealand. There is a huge open air temple to their gods here. Maybe larger then a football field. Every so often they have a meeting of all the peoples of all the Polynesian islands. The last time was eight years ago. There are several other temples on the same grounds. Women are not allowed to go to the main one, except to clean up.

From the area of the temples we boarded a large outrigger canoe. It was about 45 feet long and easily held the 21 or so people we had including the driver, guide and helper. It was powered by an outboard engine. Our guide was great. She was an overstuffed local that spoke perfect English. Whatever she told us, she also acted out with extreme arm and hand movements.

We rode across one bay and then into a river. She explained this was the only island in the group with a river. It was a BIIIIIIIIG river. I of course would have to keep asking her the size of the river and each time she would say it’s a Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig river and giggle. She said this river was made by the great God (Ka ka May Me). He had to go and made this river called (Wa Na Pee Pee). The Wannapeepee river flows into (Cock Ah Poo Pee) bay. There is the slightest possibility I may have remembered some of these names and facts wrong but it’s close enough.

I am now finding it very difficult to type. Bobbi is reading this over shoulder and laughing so hard she is crying and leaking tears on me.

As we cross the first bay it starts to rain on us. No problem. This boat comes with rubber raincoats. Art was not real happy with his. It did have a hood which most did not. It just took him a short while to figure out there was a large hole in that hood. The water running down his neck gave him the first clue. You had to see Muriel. She was just plain unhappy, I think. You couldn’t tell by looking at her face because you could not see it as it was buried in two hats, a towel, and her hands. I did however get the idea that some discomfort may have brought this about. I’m not sure if it was caused by the rain, the salt water splashing all over us or possibly her experience with wasps. Oh yeah. I didn’t tell you about the wasps yet.

After the bay, which I could tell by the taste was definitely salt water, we went up the river and back down. It is summer here and that is rainy season. There had been a lot of rain and they had not had time yet to clear debris out of the river. A large tree had fallen almost all the way across the river. There was barely enough room for this big canoe to get by. The driver had to go up and back several times to line up the boat for us to be able to pass without touching the tree. Just as we were passing the tree, at a point where Muriel was inches from it, the guide explained why the driver was being so careful not to touch the tree. Right next to Muriel was a huge wasp nest. I don’t know. At this time it was not even raining. Be that as it may, for some silly reason Muriel jumped and then buried herself in towels, rain coats and whatever else was in the vicinity. I’m sure she never saw the rest of the boat ride.

From the river we went back out into a bay and did about another hour of watching beautiful scenery. The Island was gorgeous and ocean was something to see. All these bays are surrounded by coral reefs. You can see large waves pounding reefs and the waters are many different colors in different parts of the bay and out in the ocean. I t rained a bunch more and got windy and wavy. We were getting drowned by both fresh rain water and salt water from the bay. The seats in the canoe were rivers. Muriel stated that everything she was wearing was wet. She looked so happy. She said something about not being ready to come to dinner for the next week or so, but the hunger got to her and she did show up. If you holler wasp, she still jumps though.

When we got to our room we found Muriel to be correct. Everything we had was wet too. I had to ring out my pants. My wallet is still drying. We had to hurry to get ready to go to the big BBQ party on the pool deck. There were entertainers, bands, food, food, food, and the whole deck was decorated with lights, balloons, and palm leaves. Tables were set very nicely and we were there the whole night not leaving to Bora Bora until 6:00 AM the next morning. We never made it. We went to the main dining room which was almost empty. Good move. This was the best idea we had all day. About the time we were being served it started to storm like crazy. Lightning was almost continuous. You could hear loud thunder inside the ship and the rain was pounding the windows. This went on for about an hour and one half. It was cool when there was a big lightning bolt. The mountains would suddenly appear from the blackness. The rest of the people up on the pool deck all had to drown.

That’s it.

Wet Sherm Out.

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)

Moorea, Tahiti

It’s Moorea day. This Island and/or Bora Bora are claimed to be worlds prettiest island. This must mean how they look from the sea. This island is straight up and down. There are peaks and spikes everywhere. Everything is green, green. Even the parts of the mountains that go straight up and down are covered in green. There are several large bays that are big enough and deep enough for the cruise ship to go. The entire island is only about 36 miles around.

We took a tour around the island. Our guide was a delightful Polynesian girl that was always giggling. The most important thing we learned was what they used before toilet paper was brought to the island. I forget the name of the tree, but it has very large leaves. One side of the leaf is remarkably soft and the other side is shiny and feels like wax paper. These leafs are also used for making dresses. So any time you feel the need, just find a broad wearing a dress and tear off a few leafs and do your thing. The leafs are also handy for wrapping fish and leftovers. These Polynesians are said to be a very friendly and happy people. I’m sure these leaves are the reason why.

Next we were shown their telegraph tree. It was a tall tree with many angles to it’s exterior, rather then round like most of the trees we usually see. Lying next to the tree was a beach ball sized bolder. The cute little guide picked up the bolder and started pounding on the tree and it sounded like a kettle drum. Obviously, even more important then the other stuff we learned, was not to mess with the cute little Polynesian girl. I couldn’t even lift the bolder let alone beat on the tree continually.

There is little habitation on this island compared to Tahiti. The single road is one lane and lots of fun in a large bus. We did several switch backs that were really U turns and the bus had to back up and go forward several times to make the turn. Of course there was no problem should the driver miss. It was only a thousand feet or so to the bottom if we fell off. And we did. No we didn’t.

We went to a look out point way up in the mountains, around a couple of gorgeous bays and a shopping center. Shopping center here means any place where there are 2 or more stores that sell jewelry or other junk you don’t need. Here the big thing was black pearls. Another thing I really do not need.

While it was all very nice, there was none of the beautiful landscaping we see at resorts in the U.S. or Caribbean. The nicest of areas did not compare with the better homes and resorts in the U.S. or Caribbean. This was far more wild and untouched.

The final tender back to the ship was at 4:30 PM. We however, were on Poly time. It’s a lot like Mexican time. So we made it back to the dock promptly at about 5:10 PM. Funny thing, the ship had not left.

When the ship did leave, the captain took the ship around the bay, did a U turn and went out along the coast. As we came to the next bay we entered that one also. There was a private yacht, about 200 feet long, doing the same thing just ahead of us. As we got to the end of the bay this yacht turned sideways right in front of us, making it difficult for us to get by. Must have been French. We went by anyhow cutting it very close to the yacht. As we tried to leave the dummies were still blocking the way even though the captain blew the horn. Our ship moves sideways very well and we went around again and then sat there and blocked any possible way for the yacht to leave. Exactly what I would have done just before ramming them. Then after ticking them off for awhile we went on our merry way. To the dinning room actually.

No Pearl Sherm Out.

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)

Papeete, Tahiti

Today is Tahiti. Papeete is the capital city and where the harbor is. The harbor is large for a small island and ugly. Mostly it is for commercial traffic. Traffic is a bad word here. From about 3:00 PM until after 8:00 PM auto traffic just goes all around the island and doesn’t move, mostly.

Many people find it easier to live on other islands and commute via ferry. There are at least 6 or 7 of various sizes and shapes in the harbor at all times.

The downtown area is just about 3 blocks from the ship dock. Everything is very expensive and is mostly from China and Indonesia. Rental cars and taxis are priced out of sight and are few. Everything on the island is overly expensive.

We took a ship’s tour to a museum and an old place with wood carved gods of the Mori people. This island is really nothing to see. Many in the Caribbean are nicer but the native people here are very friendly.

These islands are part of French Polynesia and are ruled by the French government. All are required to go to school from 5 to 16 years old. Unemployment is at least 25%. The recently had elections and voted out the French parties and put in an independent. The French are in the process of invalidating the elections and appointing their people. That is what the French call democracy French style.

All must learn to speak French as a first language, English second, Spanish third, and Latin or German as a fourth. Native languages are to be forgotten.

The museum was nice but the signs were in mostly French. The English translations were misspelled and wrong words or non words were used.

The guide was very nice and very informative and was the best part of the tour.

The main entertainment in the evening was an island group doing native songs and dances in native costumes except the women were not topless. They were very good and quite funny. They started out banging on drums and wooden things while doing a Mori war dance and then started singing calypso songs. Very funny. Ha, ha.

Tomorrow is Moorea. (Mo Oh Ray Ah). It is only 8 miles away and can be clearly seen from Papeete harbor. We will be docked here all night and leave at 5:30 AM tomorrow.

Tahiti Sherm out.

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)

Shower on a Rocking Boat

Another sea day and not much happening. There were, as usual, several very good lectures and all kinds of classes such as writing. Writhing means learning to write like someone that writes professionally.

In the morning the sea started to get a little rougher. I came up with a real fun activity. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a shower in a small shower stall on a rocking boat? You have wondered about that? Then you must be a sicky. No one contemplates things like that. Get a life. But I did it anyhow. I had to as I was afraid I could no longer live with me if I did not. I finally found out how it felt to be the ball in a pin ball machine. The best part is missing completely and sticking the soap in your eye. It feels so good when you finally get it to stop burning.

In the afternoon we watched a movie we had not seen. Hide and Seek with Amy Irving and Robert De Niro. It was pretty good.

Tomorrow is Papeete, (Pa Pee Ay Tay) Tahiti

Clean Sherm out

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)

“Survived” Marquesas

1/16 & 1/17

The 16th was a sea day again. Bobbi went to crafts again. This time she made something really good. A picture frame. What she actually did was cover a piece of all ready cut out card board with cloth. I was really under whelmed. However it did fit in the bag she made the other day. They can both be thrown out together that way.

She couldn’t paint her flowers because the instructor screwed up the paints. I was heart broken.

Today, the 17th, we arrived at Nuku Hiva. ( Noo Koo He Va) We got up about 5:30 AM to watch us pull into the harbor. There is little habitation on this island. It is absolutely beautiful. The harbor is a horseshoe shaped huge crater where the sea side has been blown out. All around are high, very sharp pointed volcanic peaks and ridges. Everything is covered in extreme green. Beaches line the harbor but the sand is a dark dirty looking brown color. It is all clean but that is the color of the land.

There are no tours or anywhere to go on this island. We tendered ashore and got on the free bus. It took us about a block where we stopped to get off and see all the junk that was for sale. Most of the locals are Polynesian and of the Mori tribes. This is French Polynesia and besides their native tongue most speak French and very little English if any. There were a few stands with some very nice wood carvings but nothing really to buy. They did have some really nice leis made of stones that we might have bought but they gave them to us as we departed the tender to shore.

We got back in the bus to go to the old church, 1826. It was about 3 blocks. Some said there were very nice paintings inside. We then boarded the bus back to the dock and back to the ship. Good thing. It was time for lunch and Bobbi was starting to get really kevetchy.

That’s it for these last two days.

Nuku Sherm Out.

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)

200 More Miles to Go

The Radisson Seven Seas Voyager is currently about 200 miles North East of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas. At the current speed, They should reach Nuku Hiva by 5:00 to 5:30 am central time or 1:30 or 2:00 am ship time. (Marquesas is -9:30 UTC/GMT or 3 1/2 hours before Central... I think I did that right...)

pollywog Yael out-

What’s up with the time Zone?

Very exciting day. Muriel came to lunch today, really POed . She had read my comments from yesterdays blog about the political stuff. She was livid. I guess I spelled her name Murial instead of Muriel. I guess she doesn’t care what I say about her as long as I spell her name right.

At about 2:30 PM they declared we had crossed the equator and the party began. The ships horn was sounded and it got wild, almost. Okay, it was pretty wild for octogenarians and older. Actually we did not cross until about 4:40 PM, but that wasn’t convenient. They did sound the horn again.

King Neptune and Mrs. Neptune were aboard to initiate the pollywogs. Traditionally these first timers must be shaved and thrown in the drink. Instead two staff members were chosen. An officer and the guitar player were the lucky two. The guitar player was thrown in the pool.

There were all kinds of games you don’t want to know about and of course booze of all kinds flowed freely. Most of the heads of the hotel departments had booths. The priests had the bingo booth. Bobbi took lots of pictures. Mostly peoples rear ends and the back of heads. You know. Short people. This went on all afternoon.

Now for the real exciting stuff. We had to set back the clocks again. Would you believe one half an hour? Is there really such a time zone? Someone look it up. I think they are just trying to confuse me. These electronic clocks won’t do half an hour without loosing their memory and then you don’t have the right minutes or seconds.

That’s about it for today.

Sea Sherm Out.

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)

130 Miles from the Equator

At 10:52 am central time, The Radisson Seven Seas Voyager had traveled 2464 miles from LA’s Port San Pedro, and is a little over 100 miles from the Equator. The voyager has a little less than 800 miles before it reaches its next destination, Nuku Hiva, Marquises.