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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Feb 16, 2015 08:00 PM Three beautiful atolls in one day...
Today I saw three beautiful atolls in one day: Niau, Apataki, Arutua. It was possible because theyare not far each tothe other. Ùuuù i ternet is almost dead, sorry - imagine how far I am from the well- organized world...
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Feb 15, 2015 08:00 PM Rangiroa - the biggest atoll of Tuamotus
At 6 am I recognized that ship is not rocking! We were already in the lagoon protected from the wind and ocean waves. Soon we docked in one of two settlements on Rangiroa - Ohotu. Rangiroa is the biggest atoll in Tuamotu Archip. - 80 kms long and 40 kms wide. Only northern motus are inhabited - few of them between Ototu and second settlement - Avitoru are connected by bridges. No wonder that having 6 hours to explore I decided to walk to the other village. The only, 15 kms road goes along the ocean's coast. In Avatoru there is catholic church to see with great St Mary's grotto decorated by pearl shells. If you are able to survive the heat you can camp here for just 14 USD per night. I met nice people and had opportunity to take some good pictures. Mid way between Avatoru and Ohotu there is airstrip with daily flights to PPT. Quite big amount of rich tourists fly here to dive and snorkel. Locals offer 1 hour boat rides to so called natural aquarium, where you can see plenty of fish (1000 CFP pp). But I saw yellow sharks in this transporent water even from the ship. Dolphins were jumping along for goodbye when we were sailing out of the Tiputa Passage to the ocean.
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Feb 14, 2015 08:00 PM Sailing the blue Pacific
They didn't tell me that the breakfast is served at 5 am! When I came down at 6, the table was empty - both passengers and crew have a big apetite! Patrick found for me baguette with margarine and jam. Half an hour later I saw a fish on one of the lines that we have thrown into the water. The fish was 1 m long at willbe prepared for tshould reach Mataiva - our first atoll in the early afternoon, but who knows... Since morning we are sailing through the deep blue. Only at 4.30 pmI saw the land on the horizon. This was Mataiva - flat, green atoll has 10 kms in the diameter and only 250 inhabitants. The channels heading to the lagoon are not deep and wide enough for the ship to go inside. So our ship was drifting outside of the reef and they put me on the motorized ponton (barge) stored on the deck. Then ship's crane took us up and launched down to the water. For the first time in my life I was launched in the boat by crane... Then ponton found the way through the narrow passge in the reef and soon we landed in the dock built in the channel. We had about 2 hours before sunset to explore. Not much to see... There is a little church. Walk to the lagoon took me 10 minutes (beware of the dogs - throw coral stones if they are too agressive). Opposite motus (islands forming the atoll) were visible on the horizon. Hinano beer in the little shop costs 260 francs :) Then I crossed the bridge linking motus.It was interesting to see their coconut plantation and how they manage copra plantation and dry coconyt meat.
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Feb 13, 2015 08:00 PM My second ship - 36 years old!
Four days travel on the freighter in 6-bunk dorm including meals for just 15000 XPF - don't you think it is a good deal? They wanted me to be on the ship at 2 pm, I do not know why because depart was expected at 5 pm. Our captain appeared at 6 pm, we departed at 6.10 - that's Polynesia! "Saint Xavier Maris Stella" is very little ship. Two cabins for the passengger's cabins are located at the dead aft of the ship. The ship is allowed to carry up to 12 passengers. On this journey I am lucky to be the only passenger in the cabin... so far. On the bunks they provide only the matress so you have to bring your own sheets and pillow. Toilet is located one deck below - far away :)
Yes, they offer also deck class, but the limited space for that is jus? a floor in the roofed workshop - I do not recommend it for more than one night. Patrick - our cook
Is preparing basic meals on the little aft deck, where the gas stove is installed. Bring your own plate, big cup, spoon and fork and be prepared for a disputable level of hygiene!
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Feb 12, 2015 08:00 PM Tahiti - second feral Friday 13th
I am once again on legendary Tahiti. Flowers in the hair of beautiful ladies. Lush vegetation. Rainy season - heat and few showers from the sky each day. VERY exspensive place! One hours of internet costs 5 USD - no mercy! In the tourist office in the theory guests have 30 minutes free, but it this connection is broken. I was running in the heat many hours to get info about freighters and flights to the little islands. From marine companies (4 of them) to tourist office and airlines, and back, and again - terrible work - they are unpredictible! Got it! It seems that tomorrow I will board the first freighter, St Xavier Maris Stella - heading to 7 islands of Tuamotu archipelago. I hope that ocean will be calm :)
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Feb 12, 2015 08:00 PM First feral Friday 13th - flying via New Zealand
Not so feral day :) First flight on LAN to Auckland vith very good service. Then old 767 of Air NZ. We landed in PPT at 1 am an this was again 13th - beginning of the second Friday 13th!
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Feb 11, 2015 08:00 PM Sydney - getting ready for the big jump..
The ship docked opposite the Sydney Opera House at 7 am and they wanted us go get out as soon as possible. No passport control, but you have to fill up arrival card and go to give it to the officer staying at the door. They do not search or x-ray the luggage. You know what I mean... :) Then you have only 400 m to walk to the suburban train station Circular Quai. From platform 1 there is great farewell view of the ship and Harbor Bridge. (See the picture) It is possible to take from this station a train to the airport, but since I have a flight tomorrow morning I was happy to spend the evening with my friends. Tomorrow will be critical day - I am flying first to Auckland / New Zealand and then onward - to Tahiti
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Feb 10, 2015 08:00 PM Sunny day at sea
It is time for the evaluation of my first sailing during this voyage. I think I was lucky regarding the weather (tropical islands look very sad if the sun is not shining). But it was very hot and humid seaso. I got a lot of extra sunburn even without laying on the sand. I am coming back to Australia with a new experiences. It was easy with my knowledge to find that ship. The next one - sailing from Tahiti is not defined yet, because you cannot do it from the distance - you have to be there - in Papeete... Keep your fingers crossed!
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Feb 09, 2015 08:00 PM Sailing back to Sydney
Today we have a day at sea. It is a time to make laundry and to rest after all those busy days ashore. They delivered special "tip envelopes". This is normal. Stewards and waiters on the ship receive poor salaries. But if the guests are satisfied they are giving them tips in the envelopes at the end of the cruise. But Royal Carribean company invented now double tipping: they charge you "prepaid gratuities" when you buy the cruise (in theory it should go to your steward and waiter, but who knows?) and then again they want you to put the money to the envelopes. I think it is not a fair play, shame on you Royal Caribbean! I try to find the best solution for me - the budget traveller :) Most of the workers are from the third world countries - low wages are still attractive for them. I like most the Philippinos for their smiles. But on this ship I found also little and charming Chineese attendent from Guilin. Of course I have been to Guilin so I impressed her with my knowledge. Li Xiao Yao prepares tasty green salads... Look at our picture - this was gala formal evening todayso I am dressed up.... :)
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Feb 08, 2015 08:00 PM The most beautiful island on this cruise...
Isle of Pines belongs to New Caledonia... It is famous for its white beaches and tall araucaria trees. I have been on this island some15 years ago, but this was rainy day and I did not see much wondering around with umbrella. Today we were lucky to have sunny weather. Mount N'ga - the highest mountain on the island (262 m above sea level) was visible even from the ship. I said to myself: -There must be nice view from the top, so this is my main target for today!
When I disembarked from the second tender the group of local Kunia tribe was dancing and singing at the jetty. 5 or 6 minibuses were offering the tour of the island for 25 $ pp. I started walk heading to the north. At Kuberka I turned to the path, entering dense forest with waterholes. After some 20 minutes I found myself on the open slope. The stoney path became steep. It is worth to wear good hiking shoes (due to the lack of info I had a sandals). First great view was from the little pass on the ridge. After an hour of hiking I reached the cross at the top of the mountain. There is great panoramic view of the southern and western part of the island! Definitely worth the effort and sweat... Back down I was walking to the ruins of the prison (Ile des Pins was a penal colony till 1911 - it reminds me similar institution I saw in French Guyana)!
Communards cemetary, Vao, St Maurice and finally - Baie St Joseph with traditional pirogues... After 3 pm friendly Kunia - Paul gave me the lift back to the jetty in Kuto Bay.
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