RAIATEA - FEBRUARY 4TH



Raiatea is part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia and lies 12 miles west of Tahiti.  Population 10,000 (2010). 

I’m probably not the best blogger when it comes to these ports because, for me, everything is overshadowed by the sweltering weather.  Again, we’re faced with heat and humidity but we did enjoy a bit of trade winds and it was really lovely standing in the shade under the palm trees.

Upon exiting the ship, we were greeted by five men sitting, singing and playing instruments.  Smiles are definitely the universal language! 

Nearby Tahaa located between Bora Bora and Huahine is known as the “Vanilla Island” and there was an excursion to a vanilla plantation but, rightly or wrongly, fortunately or unfortunately, we didn’t book such an excursion.  Princess’s excursion included additional time for snorkeling and swimming and time on a beach and I was just not interested in those activities.  Although I absolutely LOVE vanilla and would’ve liked to have visited a plantation to see how it’s made into various products, I’m hoping for more comfortable weather in Madagascar, which also is a producer of vanilla. 

We did go to a building that had many sellers with their fruits and vegetables for sale.   A lot of shops near the dock resembled old Five and Dimes in the U.S.  they contained rows and rows stacked with all sorts of goods and I even saw a boxed animated Santa Claus for sale.  Lots of shell jewelry, fabrics, shells, flip flops, clothing, etc.  We did buy a magnet I hadn’t seen in any other store and returned to the ship for lunch.

Michael ventured out this afternoon on his own.  I’m sitting in our lovely air conditioned room typing away and providing limited information about French Polynesia.  For those who love the heat and humidity, this is a beautiful area in the world to visit.  The beauty and lushness of the tropics surrounds us. 

We leave this afternoon for four days at sea and will arrive in Tonga on Saturday, February 9th.    

MICHAEL’S OBSERVATIONS:   I ventured out this afternoon and walked along the shore walkways to the local marina and then cut across somebody’s lawn to get back on the opposite road to head back towards the ship.  It was interesting to see the equivalent of what I would call “taco trucks” parked on the sand along the beaches.  There were people sailing and snorkeling and enjoying the beautiful water. 

Heading back towards the ship, I went into different grocery stores looking for vanilla.  Some had beans, some had powder but only one had the extract which Leona had been looking for.  I texted her the prices and pictures and was able to purchase 120 ml for $13.00 – not made in China. 

I ran into some of our fellow passengers and enjoyed a brief conversation about the heat.  I saw a real estate office and was surprised that I could purchase a home on the beach with a view for $58,000.00.  That will be an interesting conversation with Leona this evening.  (Leona’s immediate comment:  “Not just no; hell no!”)

NO PHOTOS - I'VE TRIED FOR THE PAST TWO HOURS TO UPLOAD WITH NO LUCK.  WILL TRY AGAIN IN NEW ZEALAND.





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