Still, we were up on Deck 11 forward with the FODs (Friends of Douglas) as we approached Fararea Pass to enter sheltered Maroe Bay between Huahine Nui (Big Huahine) on the north and Huahine Iti (Small Huahine) on the south. (Please refer to my first Huahine post from last year for a map and pronunciation information). When it was windy even within the confines of Maroe Bay, I knew it was going to be an unsettled day.
We went to the Club Restaurant for the first time since our return to the ship. And the waiters remembered all our favorite foods. Fruit plate! Mixed berries! (Where did they find them in French Polynesia?). V8 juice! Scrambled egg beaters! Life is back to normal. :-)
We took a tender to the island and did nothing but take a walk, but this time we walked on the road that was one 'block' back from the waterfront. We were instantly transported back to Rapa Nui. Rutted dirt road. Roosters and chickens everywhere. And a sleeping dog in front of every home. It's a little warmer, and it's French instead of Chilean, but this was like Rapa Nui West.
It started to mist just before lunch, and, not coincidentally, at that moment we decided we had gotten in our walk for the day, so we made our way back to the ship and went to the Panorama Buffet for lunch before it got busy the way it always does on Huahine. The terrace is closed off, the Mamas of Huahine dance group comes on board and eats before their performance...as headwaiter Antonio said, it's like embarkation day in there when the ship is in Huahine.
It wasn't sunny, and it wasn't raining, so we stayed for the entire folkloric show that took place at 2pm and it was just as cute as ever. I couldn't help but remember that this year may be the last time we'll see those two younger girls who perform in it. Well...shoot.
We decamped to a hot tub afterwards, which was wonderful when the misty rain started again, and then I moved to the pool for a water workout. Around 4pm we returned to the cabin for a clean up and made it to the Elite Lounge in the Pacific Lounge for Port and Stilton night and sailaway from Huahine. No sun, no sunset, but, as always, our passage through the reef to the South Pacific Ocean was beautiful.
We are already spoiled by Melvin and Larry Mark at dinner. They've gotten word that G's favorite dinner rolls are brioche and he ate three at dinner. Comedy magician Lorenzo Clark had a tough audience tonight (and was clearly missing the 4-year-old sister/cousin of my Clash of Clans BFFs from Cruise #1 out of Vancouver who had provided the most laughs during his show then), but a lady from the audience tonight was recruited to do a trick with Lorenzo and she was so clueless that I was in tears from laughing at that. As with the 4-year old, sometimes the funniest moments are unscripted.
We had had an easy day, and were left with energy to both go to the Pacific Lounge for the 50s-60s Rock and Roll Night party (and BOGO for $1 Happy Hour!) and still listen to the piano entertainer in the Casino Lounge (whose name eludes me at the moment). We stayed out until 11pm tonight for the first time in a long while. Go us! Coming up next are two days at sea en route to the island of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas island grouping of French Polynesia. We've heard through the grapevine that the weather may be rough but I don't care. We will be dry and warm, and won't lose power...or water...or plumbing...or the ability to have hot food to eat. Our experiences on Rapa Nui and Rarotonga have reframed our perspective of what is challenging; an ocean swell and some big waves don't even begin to qualify.
