Hello from French Polynesia

This is day 30 of our 138 day voyage. During  our crossing of the massive Pacific ocean, we rekindled old friendships, made many new ones, attended many excellent lectures, crossed the equator and I played lots of bridge.

Unfortunately, at the farthest point from land, the captain announced that a fellow passenger had a medical emergency and we were too far away for a helicopter airlift. This necessitated a change of course and we would miss Bora Bora. Many were disappointed and expressed their discontent. Fortunately Viking found a way to return to Bora Bora and someone saw the ill Passenger waving as he was taken to a local hospital, so all is well.

French Polynesia is an archipelago of volcanic islands between Hawaii and New Zealand. They have been a popular vacation spot since the early 60’s. In Fact Barbara and I vacationed on Morea and visited Papeete, Tahiti about 30 years ago. I recalled Papeete as being a sleazy, dirty town with one main street packed with restaurants and souvenir shops. I was not planning to get off the ship, but a friend suggested I join her on a private tour, so I joined their small  group.

I was completely surprised at Papeet’s change over the years. It was transformed into a beautiful paradise with thoroughly modern buildings, clean streets and a congenial friendly population. Our guide was originally from Eastern Europe, emigrated to Tahiti a few years ago, married a woman from Morea and has a three year old son. He loved history and culture and brought the island to life with its many traditions, legends and taboos.

Pictures are worth a thousand words.