Moorea. April 5th. 2011

Hello my friends hello,

The Raiatean community put on a dazzling display of dance for us last night, the costumes were spectacular and from the little ones on up, their enthusiasm was contagious. I love the sound of The Polynesian drums the beat is solid and captivating, one can't help but get drawn into their rhythms. You could see that they absolutely love what they do and it was funny watching passengers who were invited to join them, trying to "vibrate their hips" like the locals.

It was all over far to soon so I went to bed with a smile on my face, dreaming of coconut bras and  slept like a log.

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MOOREA…

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Each of the Islands is spectacular in it's own way, the green jagged peaks of Moorea are like no other. I recall being told by tour guides on our first visit here in 1989, that these were the background for the movie South Pacific. This has been mentioned again and again over the years and today's Princess Patter (the local rag) tells yet again that this is so. Imagine our surprise when Tom, our 4x4 driver and guide told us this was an untruth and that Hawaii was used for this. I think perhaps he meant that some of the movie was shot in Hawaii, I shall have to have another look when we get home, there's no mistaking these peaks.

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Ouch ouch ouch, The 4x4 tour was "fabydabbydozy" but we felt every bump and my painful shoulder is paying the price. The ship was anchored in Opunohu bay, reached by navigating a narrow gap between the reefs and heading up the bay straight toward the jagged peak what I believe is  the peak used in the movie. We were anchored in only 40 meters of water and as the ship swung on it's anchor the scenery changed frequently, every new view a work of art.

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Sail away was great, with the noise of the ships whistle reverberating off the high terrain astern and on either side. Outrigger canoes paddled by young Moorean   lads and perhaps lasses too raced alongside as a lone para surfer was out capturing the breeze, most pax were at the bow end or on deck 10. While I and 4 others were aft on deck 9 with plenty of space to move about and take photos.

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Tonight will be a little sad as most newly made friends will disembark tomorrow, some will stay on the islands for a few days before heading home to the four corners of the world. It's been a wonderful group and we'll miss them for sure. Our table mates Bev & Tony and Bill & Joan will disembark tomorrow, overnight in Papeete then fly home to NZ . There were hugs all round after a great time for the last 12 days.

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We are skipping the show as Dorothy decided to pack what needed to be packed, most of our clothes have been laundered, left on hangers and will just have to be hung on the dolly and moved down one deck to our new quarters. We will still be at table 52 early seating, I hope we have the same boys looking after us, though in all probability they will move to a different section.

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After dinner we met up with some CC friends and joined them for a chat. Fran & Mike, Ruth & Clive, Charleen & All day Ray from Buzzards Bay,  all disembarking tomorrow :( Then during our short walk on deck 5 we ran into Stephanie & Paul, again disembarking tomorrow :(  In all nine CC  couples will continue on to Ft. Lauderdale, plus more CC people will embark the ship tomorrow.

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Until the next post, TTFN.