Haumana Cruise

Arrived back in Tahiti this lunch time after our seven day cruise in the lagoon of the Rangiroa Atoll.
After booking the cruise on the internet andpaying over money to an unknown there must always be some risk and a bit of unease that no-one will meet you but we were met and the Haumana was a gem. Not hugely luxurious but staffed by local polynesians ......and the interaction with them was remarkable.
Everyday was a new experience with offboard activities....deep sea fishing, snorkeling ( not Richard) with the sharks, sea kayaking(not Richard)....and generally exploring the beatiful islands that form the reef. Many photographs and many tales to tell.
Fellow passengers were all french speaking but all made a great effort to speak english.....we even have an invite to dinner on tahiti tomorrow evening with a french couple who live here.
The first four days of the cruise was really exclusive....only four guests served by a crew of 18. It was just like being on our own ship.
All in all a remarkable experience

1st April

Thanks for all your cards and messages. We opened the cards over breakfast on our decking along with the first bottle of champagne of the day followed by a relaxing day in bed....well almost.
In the evening the hotel put on a fabulous dinner for us....the table set up on the beach with the lagoon lapping a few feet away and surrounded by flaming torches.Cool or what ! We then had champagne again with scallop starter, lobster dish, followed by fillet steak and gateuu....wonderful.
Oh and the stars and moon shone.
We are just settling into the Bora Bora lifestyle but must leave tomorrow when we fly to Rangiroa to join our cruise ship. So probably won't be able to blog again until we arrive back in Tahiti in a weeks time.
So....happy birthday Callum ....... just in case.

Bora Bora

Arrived Tuesday. The island is beautiful..a central main island peak surrounded by a reef which is 100 to 150 yards wide in places...;our hotel is on the reef ...;15 minutes transfer by boat to the main island.
We thought our overwater bungalow on Tahiti was fabulous but the one here is immense with separate lounge area, bedroom , huge bathroom, every thing overlooking the lagoon.
Very romantic.
Jeannette is going to swim under the bungalow to have her photo taken through the glass panel in the floor....she says!
One thing we did find offputting was two life jackets in the wardrobe..not sure what thats about so we wear them to bedjust in case.
Weather has picked up considerably ....last two days very sunny, but we seam to get a thunder storm each evening
Oh well must get back to the sun

Comments

Thanks everyone for your messages...we look forward to reading them especially when its raining. We have a palatial water bungalow here on Tahiti with steps down into the lagoon and a dramatic view over to neighbouring Moorea. Food is very french and delicious....wine can be a bit iffy but its along way to Provence from here.
This morning we caught 'Le Truck" into Papeetee (capital) which was an experience. Le Trucks are the local bus service....like seats on top of a truck really.
Hope to continue with the blog but not sure from now until we return to this hotel in two weeks time.
Love to all

Weird Weekend

Saturday evening was wet, wet, wet so we dined at the hotel with a few thousand other Japanese and had a very nice meal.
Next day up at 5.00am to ready ourselves for the 10.00am flight to Tahiti which was a fairly pleasant 7 hours.
But in Tahiti it was Saturday again and we were ready for our second evening meal that day.
The other odd thing was that we did not require immigration forms for Tahiti....it belongs to France....and we are EEC citizens. They eat, drink and speak France ...really quite nice.
Weather...well we have brought the Sydney rain with us and on our second full day here we have not yet seen the sun.
Tomorrow we fly to Bora-Bora....hope it improves.

Bridge Climb

Sydney (Japan-On-Sea) is great.....we did the climb. I think we were both a bit nervous to start as you make your way along the lower cat walks and climb quite steep steps and see the upper structures towering above you but when you reach the upper arch....you walk along the top....nerves disappear as Sydney appears all round you. We climbed at dusk...the view was magnificent. Aftrewards we ate at Doyles on the Quay in the open with the bridge on one side and the opera house on the other....brilliant.
Saturday it pelted down with rain....quite a difference to Melbourne which is undergoing a drought....but hang on Melbourne...its coming your way.

Sydney

Just arrived from Melbourne and waiting for our room at the Shangri La Hotel where we are staying for three nights.
Just spitting distance from The Bridge which we are climbing later this afternoon....the braveness of six months ago is beginning to fade fast as it looms hugely in front of us.
A lot warmer and more humid here in Sydney....hope it doesn'e turn to lightening.

Happy birthday to Sybil...49 today. Great to talk to you just as you were going to sleep!