We once again did Marc's Huahine-Nautique full day snorkel excursion and motu picnic today and it was even better than last cruise, with only 10 of us and all of us friends. And, this time, I actually met Marc, who was playing in Las Vegas the last time we were here and that's why we never saw him. And he's a really nice guy!
The day was partly cloudy but mostly sunny, and, due to the revised itinerary this cruise, we arrived an hour later in Huahine, at 10am (and sailed at 6pm). Cathy and Ron, Janet and Derek and G and I were all on the very first tender over to the island. We boarded another of Marc's motorized outrigger canoes, this one with actual pairs of seats facing forward (much more comfortable and easier to see all around us) and we made our way under the Maroe bridge and out to the same area in the lagoon on the western side of Huahine Iti. There we snorkeled in fairly shallow water for quite awhile. Our boat captain today was Armando, and he was excellent, providing us informative facts about the island and the things we were seeing as we traveled back past the Pacific Princess and over to the next bay where the pearl farm was located on the water.
Having just seen this same pearl farm last cruise. I opted to instead snorkel around the pearl farm, which was located on pylons sunk into a huge coral head. This was some of the best snorkeling of the day, and I was excited to see the nets full of pearl-building oysters suspended under the pearl farm. G took advantage of this time to lounge in his float in the water, which was probably around 85 degrees.
Armando then took us to the beach on the southern end of Motu Marimaora where our lunch would be served. That was where I met Marc, already there preparing the grill for our picnic. Those of us who were interested in more snorkeling could go back on the boat with Armando to do a long drift snorkel between Motu Marimaora and mainland Huahine Iti, and G and I both went, although he just floated in the current. Friend Tracey and her mom and young sons had done the land tour on the island with Marc and were joining us on the motu for our lunch. Tracey and her 8-year old son went with us on the drift snorkel and Kian was a fish in that 20-25 foot deep water. He was happy to inform me that his friend told him that there was a case for an iPhone that made it waterproof AND lava proof (which might come in handy when we visit the Big Island of Hawaii in January, what with its increased volcanic activity of late). I thanked Kian for this valuable information. ;-)
By the time we returned to the motu, lunch was almost ready. All that was left was the demonstration of the preparation of poisson cru, which is raw fish and fresh vegetables marinated in lime juice and coconut milk. I am in love with this local dish, and have to say that Marc's is some of the best I've ever tasted. The bar was opened, grace was said in Tahitian, and along with a wonderful lunch of grilled mahi mahi, tuna, swordfish and chicken, saffron rice and salads, I had about eleventy rum punches. Sitting in that hot sun on a picnic table in the water surrounded by iridescent blue water and eating that lunch...life just doesn't get much better. The entire time on the motu we were entertained by two musicians playing Tahitian music and singing.
There was more time in the water, after which Armando gave us a lesson on the value of the wild hibiscus tree. The flowers have medicinal value, the leaves make plates and mats and can be used as toilet paper, and the bark of the tree can be used for roping and to make the "grass" skirts worn mostly for folkloric shows. Too soon it was time to re-board the outrigger canoe and return to the Pacific Princess tender pier in Maroe Bay. We took the next tender back to the ship, arriving just after 4:30pm. It had been a wonderful day!!
What followed was the usual routine: wash and rinse and hang up/set out to dry all our swimwear and gear, shower and then go to the Elite lounge at 5:30pm. We watched from there as the Pacific Princess picked up its tenders and sailed out of Maroe Bay just before 6pm. Dinner was just salads topped with chicken breasts and sorbet for dessert; we were still full of lunch and punch. Comedian Tony Daro is entertaining tonight, and the tropical deck party is starting at 9:15pm. We will have to give both a miss...tomorrow is another busy day and we are worn out.