I do it my way

Polynesia – Day 11

Posted on March 27, 2023 by JJS

Our last day on Raiatea

Woke up early at 5:30 am as a result of going to bed extremely early and before 9pm. It is of course still very much dark and I can hear the constant roar of the waves crashing on the lagoon reefs.

Best time to do some blog updates. It would be perfect if WiFi was available in order to upload all photos. This will have to wait.

Time to get up and watch the sun rising

I am not the only one who is awake. My friend Sebastian is picking fights with all the other crabs.

After breakfast we start driving around the island with the intention of finding the road going up and across. We find it easily. The warning ❗️ sign at the bottom of the road says: You are entering an area infested with “Fire Ants”. In the meantime I have checked what these are: The fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are known to cause one of the worst burning sensations in the world.

The view from the top is pleasant

On the way down and along the coast we come across the Botanical Gardens of Faaroa. It is worth a visit. Many lovely flowers and trees.

The photos will be uploaded into the cloud

Time to go to the main and only town for a bit of food & wine shopping for the last evening.

Then look for a place to eat in the way back. But it is Monday and nothing is opened. We know however that the restaurant at the resort is serving food and we head there.

Lunch is good, a nap is then highly recommended and the hammock at the bungalow is just the job.

Nothing special is planned for the rest of the afternoon. Aperitif is scheduled, as usual, for 6pm. Pre-aperitif at 5pm.

Posted in Holidays, Places, Travel | Tagged Polynesia, Raiatea | 1 Comment

Polynesia – Day 10

Posted on March 26, 2023 by JJS

Slept very well for our 1st night on Terra Firma and namely on the island of Raiatea.

Up early watching the ocean from our beach bungalow before going to get some breakfast.

Nice spot for breakfast

Today we want to drive around the island. Not a problem in our rental vehicle. We are prepared for 4WD adventures if needed.

On the southern and western part of the island the nature is pretty wild and somehow very well kept.

There is not much on the island, a handful of very small villages, a couple of marinas. In the main small town there is a maritime port where cruise ships, one at a time, can dock which is the case today.

We had reserved lunch in one of the best restaurants, at least that is what we thought but they had no records of it. There are not that many restaurants and on top of that today is Sunday meaning almost everything is closed.

We finally find a so-called snack next to the ocean. The beer is good and lunch excellent and needed.

Back to the bungalows in the afternoon for a lazy afternoon punctuated by the sight of rays making a racket in the water. Mating season apparently.

Posted in Holidays, Places, Travel | Tagged Raiatea | 2 Comments

Polynesia- Day 9

Posted on March 25, 2023 by JJS

Today is our last half day on board Early start as usual. 6:30 and everyone is on deck fighting for coffee or tea.

The sea is calm and the sun is up

First order of the day is the so-called Coral 🪸 Garden and is a couple of minutes away with the annexe.

Located between the two islands is a corridor of 400 to 500 metres long and possibly 50 to 100 metres wide with a fairly strong current flowing through. Corals and the associated fish 🐠 population flourish. The water is not deep.

The idea is to walk to the start and let the current carry you through the make of corals. You simply float and observe through your snorkelling mask 🤿. One of the best thing I have done in a long time. Did it twice in fact.

I have tried making some videos

Posted in Holidays, Places, Travel | Tagged Bora Bora, Catamaran, Raiatea | 1 Comment

Polynesia – Day 8

Posted on March 24, 2023 by JJS

Raiatea and Taha’a

Leaving our overnight mooring place quite early after breakfast to go to Taha’a which is only 30’ away.

We get into the annex and reach the pontoon a couple of minutes later. A few minutes walk and we are at one of the few pearl farms on the island.

And of course after being shown many pearls and jewellery we purchase a couple of bits.

More to come

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Polynesia – Day 7

Posted on March 23, 2023 by JJS

Not too good a night sleep. It takes some use to on a boat + the fact that we went to bed extremely early. As a result it is now 4:15am, still pitch dark outside. The question of the moment is, how to recharge my phone?

The catamaran moored in front of us has some interesting water lighting systems

Today a fair amount of sailing is planned

Sail is up and we are off

The rest will have to wait till I have WiFi

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Polynesia – Day 6

Posted on March 22, 2023 by JJS

Huahine

Today we intend to find and board the catamaran we hired for the next 4 days. I doubt internet will be available for that time.

But first, breakfast time

Followed by a walk on the beach

No one around at 7:45 am

Last swim here

And we are off

Catamaran Monoï

What can I say. There is so much to tell. The boat is great, the water is warm, snorkelling 🤿 is great, on land the jungle is fantastic. Hundreds of pics to be uploaded when a Wifi will be available.

Excellent Aperitif and dinner back on the boat watching the sun go down.

Early to bed, maybe too early in fact. On the other hand we are exhausted from all the swimming done.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Polynesia – Day 5

Posted on March 21, 2023 by JJS

Leaving Moorea with regret

Looking forward to Huahine

It is a 20 minutes drive to the aérodrome. Rental car is returned. We are quite early and the first ones to check in.

Boarding

Quite a short flight

On approach

Landed in Huahine

Hotel shuttle was waiting for us and it is a short transfer to the resort

Time for lunch, beach, swim and a rest

Later we have to change bungalow because there is no cold water coming through and the shower is scolding hot. We move next door and it is even slightly better.

It is soon time for the evening aperitif. We can only admire the scenery and colours on the way to the main bar.

We walk into the next village, where in fact we shall board the catamaran tomorrow, for dinner.

Posted in Holidays, Places, Travel | Tagged Huahine, Moorea, Polynesia | 1 Comment

Polynesia- Day 4

Posted on March 20, 2023 by JJS

Early start of the day at 6:30am after a good night sleep. Aiming to have breakfast at 7am and plan the day’s activities.

In the meantime, it remains to enjoy the view

So the plan is to make our way round the island with a few stops along the way.

The first of these stops is at ” La Montagne Magique” where for a mere 200 CFPF you are allowed to walk up to the view point. Not an easy task as it is quite steep and of course very hot. But it is really worth it. The 360º view at the top is breathtaking and highlights what Polynesia is.

It is the same steep hill to walk down and it is even warmer

We are rewarded however a tasting of local fruits and jams. Add to this a fruit juice, in my case pineapple and lemon, freshly prepared and the climb is quickly forgotten.

Time to visit a beach, we had spotted from the viewpoint and nice white sand stretch in the lagoon and this is where we are heading.

The water is warm and clear and I take my very first underwater pic.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Polynesia – Day 3

Posted on March 19, 2023 by JJS

Later this afternoon we intend to catch the ferry and move across to Moorea. Hopefully I can find a WiFi connection to update my posts.

We have a few hours to kill so we decide to go for a drive. We stop along the way to investigate a couple of interesting spots.

Then it is time to pick up our luggage and make our way to the port to buy the tickets for the ferry. We have enough time to go for a bite across the road.

Then board the ferry for the 45’ crossing

Arriving in Moorea

The rented car awaits us at the port and it does not take long to drive to our accommodation and settle in.

It was a bit difficult to find a place for dinner. There is not much to start with and being Sunday most of it is closed.

Posted in Holidays, Places, Travel | Tagged Ferry, Moorea, Port Maritime | 1 Comment

Polynesia – Day 2

Posted on March 19, 2023 by JJS

To make my friend Sem jealous, I brought my collection of exotic shirts. The island of Moorea , where we are moving to tomorrow, is in the background.