January 24th - Moorea, French Polynesia

Started the day with breakfaast in the dining room - then sat on the deck enjoying the view of Cook's Bay.
Headed down to get off the ship about 1:15. I had to tender to the pier. We won't discuss how many bags I had - but HAL took care of everything - getting them on and off the tender and up to where I was to wait for my 2PM pickup.
My new landlords - Robert and Karine - are wonderful and they live right next door, so everyone can stop worrying. I am really safe and the house is just as it was pictured. This is a photo from my back yard.
There are several resturants, shops, banks and a market all within walking distance. I pickup my car tomorrow.
It was something to watch the ship sail away without me from my back yard.

January 24th - Moorea, French Polynesia

January 23rd - Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

I had a great day in Papeete - or more correctly, I should say in the area
surrounding Papeete. Downtown Papeete is not very appealing - it is a
typical industrial port town.

I had signed up for the Off the Beaten Track: Tahiti by 4-Wheel Drive tour,
which took us deep into the unspoiled interior of Tahiti.

We saw so many waterfalls I finally had to stop taking pictures. The flowers
and lush vegetation were lovely. I was surprised that it was actually cool,
not oppressively hot. Even the tropical rain was nice and added to the
experience. The sights and scenery were wonderful.

I took a picture this morning of a fabulous sailboat in the harbor. I figure
if everyone starts saving now, maybe by Christmas 2050 you will have saved
enough to buy this for me.

Tomorrow we dock in Moorea and I will be leaving the ship to start the next
leg of this adventure. The island in the distance behind the three cranes is
Moorea. I am really getting excited - and nervous!

I am not sure what my internet connection/availability will be like in
Moorea, so I am not sure when my next post will be.

I have met so many great people on this cruise - a few very special ones. I
will miss and look forward to our paths crossing again. Some voyages are
special, and this has been one of them. I will miss "Table 42" - what an
interesting group of people.

Tonight I was honored with a surprise going away party from my table mates
and members of the dining staff - boy was I surprised. They even made me a
special New York cheesecake with a layer of caramel and sang a special going
away song for me. I felt like a princess and almost guilty for leaving
early. Tomorrow it will be back to reality - I will have to tend to my own
needs - oh my!