Nuku Hiva, (Marquesas Islands)

April 4, 2010

The Marqueses Islands are a relatively unvisited part of French Polynesia, comprised of three distinct islands, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva and 7 unpopulated islands. The Rotterdam anchored in Baie Taiohae on the island of Nuku Hiva, a volcanic, mountainous and fertile island that mainly produces breadfruit, coconut and tobacco. The locals are known for their Tattoo and carving skills. Their artistry dates back thousands of years and is believed to be the source of the Easter Island stone heads and the Hawaiian Tiki.

We found Nuku Hiva to be arid at sea level but extremely lush and tropical in the highlands and valleys. The interior has lots of farms and though there were 4 wheel cars and trucks, we saw many more horses with riders, which appeared to be a better mode of transportation on the steep mountainous roads and trails in the back country. Unlike other Polynesians, the peoples of the Marquesas, as a norm, are very fair skinned with straight hair, blue, green and light brown colored eyes. And, as with the other French Polynesian islands, they spoke French and Tahitian, or a sort of “Frehitian” if you will. Most of the terrain that surrounds Nuku Hiva is high cliffs right to the ocean; the only beaches were in the two bays, and yes, we saw where TV’s “Survivor-Nuku Hiva” was filmed. If you’ve ever seen a Hollywood set, then you can imagine the area. It was a located on a water inlet, with one of the few beaches on the island (they had to add sand), and it covered an area of approximately 900 square yards.

We are nearly at journeys end and the Captain has turned the Rotterdam, northeast, with a heading that will bring us back home to San Diego. We look back on loads of great memories, recently learned knowledge and some wonderful new friends. Thanks for coming along with us; we hope you’ve enjoyed our first attempt at blogging. We will write a review of our experience with Holland American Cruise Lines, the MS Rotterdam and this cruise in particular, after we get home. Check out cruise reviews for Holland Cruise Lines, Ms Rotterdam at www.Cruisecritic.com .

Wishing you calm winds and blue skies…

Parahi (Goodbye) and Fa’aitoito (Good luck)!

John & Sandy

Top of the world!

Site of Survivor Nuku Hive

It has been fun!

View of the Ms Rotterdam from the highest peak on Nuku Hiva.

Tahiti, Mo’orea, Rangiroa (The Society Island)

April 2, 2010

Sorry for bunching these three together, but the fact is the range from bad to awesome was so extreme that I found it easier to just roll them up in a bundle.

Tahiti was a big disappointment. I guess when you think of Papeete-Tahiti, you automatically think of paradise. Yes it was interesting and a great experience but, Papeete is like most over populated and under maintained cities. There were no really pretty beaches and after Bora Bora, a big disappointment. The largest of the 115 islands and atolls that make up the French Polynesia, Tahiti’s beauty lies in its natural inner beauty its waterfalls, rain forest, fruit trees and tropical flowers.

Mo’orea, on the other hand, was awesome. Located Less than 10 miles northwest of Papeete, Eimeo, as it’s known among the ancestral Polynesians, is Tahiti’s little sister. Shaped like a butterfly with mountain lined wings, it casts a dramatic silhouette against the dual expanse of the South Pacific Sea and sky. Mt Rotui juts from the ancient core of the huge volcanic caldera’s northern rim, separating the luxuriant “twins” (Cook and Opunohu Bays). Do those names ring a bell? They should, it’s where Captain Cook made his infamous landing and Mr. Christian, led the infamous “Mutiny on the HMS Bounty”. I think faced with the same decision; I would have chosen to mutiny as well, it is truly a very beautiful place. This time, John got to swim with the Sting rays and sharks in Opunohu Bay, a truly awesome experience.

And then there was Rangiroa, Largest true atoll in the Society Islands group and one of 4 largest in the world. This coral ring is comprised of 240 motus (islets) separated by more than 100 hoa (tiny channels). It’s 15 square mile land mass, encircles a 630 square mile lagoon. We anchored inside lagoon and upon tendering to the dock; we were able to walk from the lagoon side to the ocean side in less than 10 minutes. If you Google “Rangiroa” you can see the map of the atoll which looks like a necklace. While snorkeling here, we saw, by far, the largest assortment of undersea life, including fish, dolphin, Morey eels and Sting rays.

We leave the Society Islands and head north for the Marquesas and our last stop on this incredible journey, Nuku Hiva.

We were greeted in Tahiti by some sounds and chants!

OMG!  She found another fabric store.

Black sand any one.

Nothing like a cool Tahitian beer!