Friday, December 27, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
About the Tango on the beach
We are compelled by a fit of honesty to report that we never did the tango on the beach. There are three reasons:
First, we never learned how to tango. We watched a YouTube video that showed the basic steps, and we both admit that the basics are simple. And we did a few steps in the living room before we left, but our stomping around scared the dog so we stopped.
Second, there never was the right beach at the right time. Sure, French Polynesia is awash in beaches, and we were on a couple for more than a few minutes. However, the times we had any significant beach time we were without music. It just didn't seem right to ask new friends to hum a few bars of a tango while we skidded through the sand. Some things are hard to explain to new acquaintances.
Third, if the mood was right and the music was handy, getting to the beach wasn't possible. You see, the Paul Gauguin, nimble in shallow water as it is, doesn't dock at ports of call. One gets to shore by tender. Certainly the Paul Gauguin is famous for meeting every need, but we never thought that their generosity extended to a special tender trip to shore so we could tango in the moonlight.
But we DID tango in the stateroom and in the hallway outside the gift shop. And it was nighttime when we did it. And it was on our anniversary.
Close enough.
First, we never learned how to tango. We watched a YouTube video that showed the basic steps, and we both admit that the basics are simple. And we did a few steps in the living room before we left, but our stomping around scared the dog so we stopped.
Second, there never was the right beach at the right time. Sure, French Polynesia is awash in beaches, and we were on a couple for more than a few minutes. However, the times we had any significant beach time we were without music. It just didn't seem right to ask new friends to hum a few bars of a tango while we skidded through the sand. Some things are hard to explain to new acquaintances.
Third, if the mood was right and the music was handy, getting to the beach wasn't possible. You see, the Paul Gauguin, nimble in shallow water as it is, doesn't dock at ports of call. One gets to shore by tender. Certainly the Paul Gauguin is famous for meeting every need, but we never thought that their generosity extended to a special tender trip to shore so we could tango in the moonlight.
But we DID tango in the stateroom and in the hallway outside the gift shop. And it was nighttime when we did it. And it was on our anniversary.
Close enough.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Home again
It's not going to be easy to decompress after 8 days in French Polynesia, although the trip home certainly did its part.
It's not easy getting to and from Papeete. We flew from Atlanta to Los Angeles, had a 7 hour layover, and then flew on to Tahiti. It was a long trip, but the excitement of what was ahead certainly lessened the rigors of tourist class seats on Delta (not awful; we spent a few extra dollars for Economy Comfort,) and on Air Tahiti Nui (tiny seats, 8 hours.)
The trip home was the same but with longer waits in between.
After disembarking the Paul Gauguin at noon, we were taken on a 3 hour tours of Tahiti. At 3 we got into our room at the InterContinental where we repacked with emphasis on the Air Tahiti Nui weight restrictions. (Air Tahiti Nui is serious about not going over weight requirements. They even have limits on the weight of carry-on luggage.)
We left Papeete at midnight, arrived in LA at 10 AM, checked into the Sheraton, slept, watched part of a football game, ate dinner, then went back to the airport for the last leg. The flight left at 10:45 PM and we got to Atlanta at 6 AM. Home, kiss the dog, sleep in your own bed for 6 hours, and now begin to come back to life.
What day is this again?
In a day or so we'll reflect on the trip, showcase Rebecca's photographs, and give you the details on how to book this trip for yourself. Which you should do.
Right now, however, Mark's going to get another cup of coffee.
It's not easy getting to and from Papeete. We flew from Atlanta to Los Angeles, had a 7 hour layover, and then flew on to Tahiti. It was a long trip, but the excitement of what was ahead certainly lessened the rigors of tourist class seats on Delta (not awful; we spent a few extra dollars for Economy Comfort,) and on Air Tahiti Nui (tiny seats, 8 hours.)
The trip home was the same but with longer waits in between.
After disembarking the Paul Gauguin at noon, we were taken on a 3 hour tours of Tahiti. At 3 we got into our room at the InterContinental where we repacked with emphasis on the Air Tahiti Nui weight restrictions. (Air Tahiti Nui is serious about not going over weight requirements. They even have limits on the weight of carry-on luggage.)
We left Papeete at midnight, arrived in LA at 10 AM, checked into the Sheraton, slept, watched part of a football game, ate dinner, then went back to the airport for the last leg. The flight left at 10:45 PM and we got to Atlanta at 6 AM. Home, kiss the dog, sleep in your own bed for 6 hours, and now begin to come back to life.
What day is this again?
In a day or so we'll reflect on the trip, showcase Rebecca's photographs, and give you the details on how to book this trip for yourself. Which you should do.
Right now, however, Mark's going to get another cup of coffee.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Moorea part one
So we're in this shop on Moorea, and we ask the shop owner to suggest a restaurant for lunch. He takes us, in his car, to his friend John's place. It's small, been there 25 years, and John looks like he probably knew James Michiner as a boy. Dogs are sleeping on the floor of the bar, the signs are for the local Tahitian beer, John sits at a back table smoking cigarettes and drinking Dubonnet and soda. Honest.
The menu propped up next to our table.
This place was not in the tour books. The menu is on two chalkboards, which John dragged over and propped up by the table.
All outward signs pointed to either fabulous or a disaster.
It was fabulous.
Rebecca had a masterful, but simple, mixed green salad. I had broiled mahi with a pineapple, mango, coconut sauce. Whoa baby!
Off the beaten path is the only way to travel.
John's restaurant on Moorea.
Rebecca at our table.
Friday, December 20, 2013
More photos from Rebecca ... Bora Bora and Moorea
NWRebecca is taking a photo excursion this morning, and she'll have more for you later today.
Mark meets a stingray off Bora Bora
Mark's stingray
Our guide
Bora Bora
Mark amazingly catches a coconut as it falls from the tree. (Ok, so he threw the coconut up in the air and caught it. But who needs to know, right?)
Cooking fish
Moorea -- Cook's Bay
It's our last full day on the ship. We been the arduous journey home Saturday night in Papeete and will be home Monday AM. It will be awhile before Mark can find the words to describe the trip.
Outrigger
Private motu on Bora Bora
Thursday, December 19, 2013
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