Bora Bora

Day 94 - Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is a French Polynesian Island, the population is 7,395. It is a small island. It is only 15 square miles, but the Island is packed with beauty. We found the sea to be some of the most beautiful that we have seen, with the water sapphire to turquoise. This was a tender port where the ship anchored in the lagoon off shore and then smaller boats take us to shore. When we got on shore we took a local tour bus around the Island. We had a great guide that spoke English. This was good as we don't speck any French. We had not realized that the American had military bases on Bora Bora between 1942 and 1945. The America's had built the Airport on a Motu (small Islands in the lagoon) just off shore and this is still where the airport is today. He went on to explain that Bora Bora as manned and ready for the Japanese but they never came. So Bora Bora was a great place for the men that were stationed there. There are still huts, munitions bunkers and dock pylons from WWII. Once we passed that area we went around the island and saw the most beautiful ocean and colors. We saw deep green volcanic peaks that were majestic and about 2200 ft. in elevation. Our Guide stopped at a lookout point and gave us a demonstration on coconuts and their uses. We drove by huts over the water owned by Marlon Brando's Family and Jack Nicklaus. We had a stop at Bloody Mary's (famous restaurant and Bar). We ran into some friends from the ship there having lunch. Then it was back to the ship. We had a nice evening with a sail away and an Island Party at night. Next stop Apia. Western Samoa

More Bora Bora and Island Party!

Bora Bora

Papeete, Tahiti

DAY 93- Papeete, Tahiti

Tahiti is a French Polynesian Island, the population is 240,000. It is about 28 miles across; the size is a total of 404 square miles and it has a mountain top that is over 7000 ft. elevation. French and Tahitian is the main language. They speak very little English. It is very mountainous and has lots of waterfalls. Because of its old volcanic action there are most back sand beaches. The Ocean is very clear and beautiful blues and blue-greens in color. We had been here before so decided to go to a hotel and asked to use their facility. So we were able to use the resort for the day. We had a nice relaxing day and headed back to the ship. Next Port Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Tahiti

Crossing the Equator!

When you sail around the world you cross the Equator twice. Back on June 4^th we crossed the equator the first time. Due to thunder storms Princess staff canceled the ceremony for the people (passengers and staff) that have not crossed the equator before. People that have not crossed the equator before are pollywogs and once you cross the equator you are shellbacks. So when we crossed the equator again on the August 25^th, we attended the Ceremony. King Neptune arrived with his girlfriend and the Judge and those that had committed crimes were Judged, sentenced and the punishment was handed out. Our friends Joanne and Garry were accused of loud noises from there cabin and just having too much fun. They were both found guilty by the crowd. Their punishment was swift and they had slime poured over the heads, oatmeal, spaghetti and chocolate sauce were the items of food they wore. Then they moved on to more passengers and staff that had never crossed before. Fun was had by all and I think the staff that was doing the pouring got more on them self's then on the victims. It was slimy and there was a lot of slipping and sliding.

Crossing the Equator