Our second day in Papeete began even warmer than yesterday. The predicted rain of 30% never did appear in town, although we could see showers up high in the mountains. That's why it is so green everywhere. Lots of water.
We stayed onboard once again getting some computer work done in our room. All aboard was 4:30pm, so we still had plenty of time for a nice walk in the humid heat. We more or less re-traced our steps from yesterday, checking the Marketplace in case they might open up for a few hours. What we did find were a few of the flower vendors with what they had left over from yesterday's bouquets and cut flowers. The group was sitting outside the locked gates of the building. This time we did not need any more flowers since we had a nice bouquet from the florist onboard. And knowing they come with ants, we did not want those either.
What we did find open was the tourist info office where we collected maps of almost every French Polynesian island for future use. Along with the two travel guides, we are set when we come back here again. So much of the useful printed maps and brochures are not around anymore, so none of this collection will be tossed.
There were a few more souvenir tables set up by the info office, which really reminded us of the ones that were always under the thatched-roof huts across the street. Remember when the Tahitian singers and girls greeted you at the info center coming out of the dock area? Well that is all gone now, but these vendors across the boulevard look the same. And they did not have that special purple shell we are searching for. Maybe next time……
Continuing up the side street, we walked past the Cathedral expecting it to be open for Sunday mass. Well it was still locked up. And we are not sure the Assembly Building was opened either. Glad we discovered that area yesterday. Of course, LA Pizzeria was closed, so we walked across the street to Paofai Park and Gardens. Turning left, we followed the marina all the way to the end where To'ata Square is located. There is a grouping of grandstands there with an open-air theater for concerts and the like. We read that it can handle up to six thousand people, although we are not sure where that many people could park cars. Nothing was happening there today, so we sat on the rock wall admiring the harbor down at this end. It is very close to the airport and the planes were landing regularly.
Making our way back along the waterfront, we stopped once again at Le Moana for a snack of crispy French fries, two more Hinano beers and a shared banana split. Since we had reservations in the Pinnacle Grill this evening, we wanted to keep lunch light. Maybe not the healthiest, but that's what vacations are for, right?
We did learn a few words that were helpful with ordering food and drinks here in Tahiti. Taofe means Tahitian coffee with a touch of vanilla. Firi firi means doughnuts with coconut milk. Pia is beer and pahua is a giant clam. Uru is the fruit of the breadfruit rich in vitamins, and mape is the Tahitian sweet chestnut.
Coming back along the marina, we noticed that several grids of steel have been "planted" along the sea wall with corals. They attract the fish, and in time it will be a live reef. Better than snorkeling and it is completely free. We got back to the ship after 2pm, and had ice cold sodas to cool off. By 4:30pm, the rain clouds appeared to be closing in over the mountains, and soon it was raining. We could smell it before it came down. The rain continued until we were far off of the island and heading northeast towards the atoll of Fakarava.
While downloading photos, we listened to Captain Paul with his plans for today's departure. He was still waiting for 30 people to get back from a tour, so leaving was close to 5pm. He was turning the ship over to the third officer (under his supervision of course) to take the ship out through the tight reef opening. From recently reading the book Typee by Herman Melville, we knew that there were a number of old sailing ships that sunk trying to access this harbor. Many of them were whaling boats. And some of the remains are still there we understand.
We will be sailing into the atoll of Fakarava, located in the Tuamotu Archipelago tomorrow morning. We have 245 nautical miles to go and need a speed of 17.1 knots to get there. The Captain added that we might expect some squalls and showers along the way, but tomorrow will be another hot and humid day. He did not mention if it would rain. Last year was a different story. We had sudden hurricane winds and torrential rain while there. The coral road turned into a flowing creek going over and into our shoes as we walked back to the tender area. We still laugh about it now, but we got soaked to the bone. Umbrellas were useless.
As we stated, dinner was in the Pinnacle Grill with our favorite wedge salads and candied bacon. Honestly, that is quite enough to fill us up these days, but we did add the smallest filet mignons and potatoes. We shared the almost Baked Alaska while visiting with friends Bill and Leta who happened to be eating at our breakfast table. Always a pleasure to reminisce over the last 21 years of sailing together on many long voyages.
Only two more ports left, and we will making that long sailing back to San Diego. Where has the time gone???
Bill & Mary Ann
