Prep talk from the Viking gurus.Soon to visit Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti.But before we get there here’s a gourmet dinner on the high seas.Spicy Tuna TakakiArrival at Bora Bora. Just inside the pass through the reef.Bora Bora dock for our tenders. Did some shopping for flippers here as they were not to be provided by our snorkeling program.The Bora Bora welcoming committee with high quality ukulele workOff on our Bora Bora snorkeling adventure. Soon to be swimming with the sharks (black tip) and sting rays! A rain squall hit before we got in the warm water so we went from really chilly to warm fun. First dive has rays and sharks, second dive was in a coral garden. Both with great visibility and lots of fishNext day arrival at Moorea. Our Moorea snorkeling contingent (not Marty)Sting rays! OK to touch on the back, but not the tummy (mouth and teeth down there)A handsome couple!Our snorkel boat management team – speaking Tahitian and laughing up a storm the whole way. Good funLooks like a good life on MooreaA Hilton property. Rumor is that the tab is $1000 per night plus. Nobody was there now – must be the rainy season.Our trusty ship looks small with the Moorea peaks behindJust outside the pass on Moorea departure. 7 or 8 surfers at the pass.About two hours later we’ve arrived at Papeete harbor.Papeete. Our tour guide told us Henri Matisse spent several months in hotel in left of photo (about 1930) but was depressed and did only sketches, no paintings while here. But upon return to France he did some notable paintings based on his recollections looking out the window of the hotel.Looking left from our deck at PapeeteGolf practiceOff on our walking tour of Papeete with our worthy guide leading the way. Lots of great info on Polynesian history, plants etc.Polynesian roofing made from Pandanus leaves which they also used for making sails. Roofs last about 16 years!And here’s a Pandanus tree. The original wave of Polynesians brought these with them from their starting place which was Taiwan (or thereabouts) back before 1000 AD.Papeete market. Lots of great looking fish, fruit, jewelry, crafts, etc.
Charlie and Marty’s World Cruise 