SEA DAY ONE OF SIX

We saw our last of Nuka Hiva as we sailed (well, motored) out of the bay and started our six day trek back to San Diego.  We found Nuka Hiva to be a pleasant surprise.  The Captain announced that we had 2,815 nautical miles to cover before reaching the San Diego pilot station.  One nautical mile is just over 1.15 statute miles - what your speedometer records.  I am missing a little over a day of mileage but I know we had covered over 5544 nm after Fakarava atoll so combining  that with the 2,815 to go and factoring in for statute miles we will have covered something over 9,613 miles by the time we reach San Diego.  I hope to get the exact figure before the cruise is over just for my own recording.  Our current speed is an impressive but comfortable 19 knots, the fastest speed I have noted so far.

Today is Sea Day 1 of 6.  Tomorrow we cross the equator again.  Don't know what there will  be of any interest to pass along the next few days but I will find SOMETHING.

THE MARQUISES - NUKA HIVA

We had been warned that the hospitality here at Nuka Hiva was subject to some big variations in the degree of the welcome offered to cruise ship passengers.  In fact we found ourselves questioning whether or now we would go ashore here or not.  Eventually we decided we would go and we are glad we did as the welcome was as good if not better then several of the other islands or atolls we have visited - as you can see below.

We found a number of vendors offering their goods and some nicely developed areas to walk and enjoy the view.  Although still very warm and humid it was a nice way to end or adventure in the south pacific.

Arlyene noted in lower right.

Always good to know where the Gendarmerie and Hospital are.

Now it is on to San Diego over the next six days.  Don't know how much there will be to add tot he blog unless someone wins big in the casino or some such thing.  We will be crossing the Equator again but I doubt it will be the event it was coming down here to the southern ocean.  I guess time will tell.  Meanwhile here is some perspective of where we are and how far we have to go.  By the time we reach San Diego we will have done something in excess of 8k miles at an average speed of around 15 to 17 knots.

THE TUAMOTUs, FAKARAVA ATOLL

Our next to last stop before heading home to San Diego.  We are told there are two villages here, one with 12 people and the other with 750, which I presume is where we landed - or at least close.  we found a beach within walking distance and were all able to spend some time in the water cooling off in the 94 degree heat.

Entering the atoll

Our anchoring location.

Not much wind for these folks.

Closed- what the ????.  Oh well, must be for locals only.

The main drag - standing in the middle of the road.

The other direction.

Part of our group after swimming.

An actual phone booth and a French one at that!

The last tender will leave shore at 4:30 or whenever everyone is back aboard.  We are scheduled to leave here at 5 pm and will be at sea all day tomorrow on our way to Nuku Hiva, our last stop.

PAPEETE

We were securely tied up to the pier by about 8:30 last night.   Had dinner ashore at the famous food truck court.  A different experience.  Today is mostly about shopping.  Ship departs at 4:30 this afternoon.  This is a busy place with a highway to cross that is crowded and busy all day long.  It must be the main street through town.

The morning tours getting ready.

Our position in the harbor - 8 is actually our 7th stop since leaving San Diego.

Rich guy yacht pulling in next to us.

Shopping at 98 degrees and 98 % humidity.

Closest thing to a Walgreen's here.

These photos were taken as we departed Papeete

There were kids surfing here.

Moorea as we exit Papette.

Just two stops after leaving here before we head back to San Diego.

MOOREA

Two views of our current location, one via internet map with my red arrow indication of our anchorage location.  The second is from  the ships position showing how close we are to Papeete where we are scheduled to dock at 9 pm tonight.

Sunrise as we approach Moorea seen on the right.

Tenders headed to shore around the point on the left.

Views from the ship around our anchorage.

Eurodam from the swimming beach where most of the water babies snorkeled this morning.

Arlyene attempting to get a better picture of the ship.  Good thing she had her snorkel with her.

Me watching Moorea as we move out of the anchorage and head for Papeete.