As far as days in French Polynesia go, this one was fairly unremarkable. I think we were a bit done in by three straight days of sun and sea. We did get up early and watch our arrival in Huahine. The weather again today was glorious; in fact, during these entire 21 days we've only had rain in Hilo (twice) and missed the port of Kauai. The remainder of the days have been beautiful. We've been very lucky.
The entrance to Maroe Bay, Huahine
We went to Sabatinis when it opened for breakfast at 7:30, enjoying the view of the mountains surrounding Maroe Bay reflecting in the water below. Our last Sabatinis breakfast (weep!)... we stayed for two hours and savored every minute of it (and several mimosas to boot).
We tendered to shore about 10am with not a single plan for the day. No plan for a Sunday on Huahine...that means we had only two options: take the $16pp round trip shuttle to the tiny town of Fare on the northwest coast of Huahine (never a bustling metropolis and practically dead on a Sunday) or walk. So we walked. We first turned right from the tender pier and walked along the shoreline of Maroe Bay as far as the bridge that connects the island of Huahine Nui (Big Huahine) to Huahine Iti (Little Huahine). This was not a forced march, in fact, it was very picturesque. We could not get over the fruits growing wild (papayas and mango and bananas. Oh my!) and, in fact, rotting on the trees. The birds must be extremely well fed.
During our entire walk today we saw one piece of trash - a Coke can- on the ground. Nothing else. Things are as neat as a pin on these Polynesian islands, and homes, though usually quite modest, are meticulously cared for.
Eventually we turned around and walked back past the tender dock the other direction, toward the pass through which the Pacific Princess entered Maroe Bay. That was pretty, too, and the road was very flat, which was good, because it was getting hot. Around 1pm we had had more than enough sun and returned to the ship for lunch in the Panorama Buffet.
The Panorama Buffet always feels crowded for lunch when the ship is in Huahine. First, the back terrace is closed off due to the fly population in Maroe Bay, meaning 30 or so tables are off limits. Then, the Mommas of Huahine folkloric dance group come on board to perform, and get to have lunch in the buffet before they do. The combined effect is that things are busy in there for a few hours, but we had no trouble sharing a table with another couple (it's always very interesting to see what people's onward travel plans are once we arrive in Papeete tomorrow because many are continuing their stay in Tahiti or taking the ferry to Moorea for a few nights).
We finished lunch in time to catch most of the folkloric show. It was fun to see the littlest dancer, 9 years old last year, a year older and completing more advanced dance steps.
Then we returned to the quiet coolness of our cabin to rest. Crash, really. The several early mornings and active days have caught up with us. I took advantage of the down time to prepare some extra tip envelopes (I only do this every two cruises or so because it takes time) and do some hand laundry. We were showered for the evening and up on Deck 11 for a gorgeous (and I mean gorgeous) sailaway from Maroe Bay and sunset over Huahine.
What a perfect cruise this has been!!
We took a bottle of champagne to dinner in the Club Restaurant and continued to enjoy the sunset over Huahine from the huge windows on the back of the ship. We were so busy enjoying the sunset (and the champagne) that we forgot to leave the dining room before the Baked Alaska parade. While this is fun one time per season, we try to avoid it the rest of the time. But tonight, the entire dining room was so jazzed for it that we kind of enjoyed it too.
We went out in the Promenade Deck to see that huge full moon but it was directly in front of the ship, so we went up to Deck 11 forward where we sat under that moon and finished the champagne, toasting to 1000 days at sea. Here's to the next 1000!
Life is good. :-)
