Steve and Cathy's Blog

We arrive in Papeete early because it’s the end of the segment that began in Sydney, Australia. We have traveled 5,120 nautical miles since then and have made seven stops.

Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia and is the economic and political center of the 118 islands that make up what is described as a “collectivity” of France.  As such, it is a tightly packed urban area and, frankly, not all that attractive.  We will be here until 11:00pm but have no plans as our 8-hour, previously scheduled tour got canceled.  As our ship is docked right downtown, shopping is on the agenda.  We leave the ship around 9:30am, and are greeted by a seven-piece musical and singing group.  We spot a pharmacy and get some toothpaste and sunglasses, then a fabric store that was fabulous! Cathy was in a trance, but was able to pick out one pattern for drapes for Cliff House.  The streets were packed with small shops and lots of traffic. Plus it was very hot, so we start back.

In the park next to the pier, the tourist board has hired a band and dancers.  Steve is anxious to get a closer look at two immense yachts parked at an adjacent pier, so Cathy stays to listen to the music and Steve spends about twenty minutes gawking at these boats.  After that we board Insignia.  On the way, Cathy notices about a dozen beautiful flower arrangements that are being delivered to the ship.  She inquires where she might acquire some flowers for our room, and gets directions. We will pursue this later.

We stay on the ship until around 3:30pm and go in search of flowers.  We choose to go to a large open-air market, but by the time we arrive, the place is closing up.  It turns out that many of the stores are closing at 4:00pm, so our attempt at purchasing flowers is a bust.  We begin a walk in the park near the ship but our way appears to be blocked by construction. Cathy is ready to get out of the heat, but Steve wants to take a walk, so we split up.

I find a way around the construction, and this park opens up.  It is a very attractive place full of stunning views of the island of Moorea. There are many local people enjoying the park, so the people watching prospects as well as photo opportunities abound, including a group of young men practicing a dance. And the walk itself is doing me a world of good.

I get back to the ship right around 5:00pm, just in time for Cathy and I to attend the Mandatory Guest Lifeboat Drill at 5:30.  That eats up almost an hour, and then it’s time for dinner.  This day ends with us taking photos out on our veranda.  The ship is due to sail at 11:00pm tonight for Raiatea, one of the Society Islands, which is one of the five groups of islands that make up French Polynesia.