Part 5: April 7 - 13, 2007 - Voyage on the Aranui 3 to the Marquesas - Week 1


Day 1: April 7 - Depart Papeete

We had to wake up very early in the morning from Bora Bora (4:30 AM) in order to get to Papeete in time for the start of our trip to the Marquesas. Because we were to board the ship between 7:30 and 10 AM we scheduled ourselves to leave on the first 50 minute flight from Bora Bora at 7 AM. Since the airport in Bora Bora is on an island this meant the shuttle boat was to leave at 5:45 in the morning from the main town. Although the 20 minute shuttle didn't really leave until 6 AM we had plenty of time to check in for our flight and purchase a few postcards at the airport gift shop.

We...

Norm

Part 6: April 14 - 20, 2007 - The Aranui 3

Voyage on the Aranui 3 to the Marquesas - Week 2

Day 8: April 14 - Hiva Oa: Puamau and Hanaiapa

Our arrival in Hiva Oa was as beautiful as ever. Although the mountains were not towering over us in this little harbour, there was one unique feature in the pointed rock that jutted out of the water about one third of the distance across the entrance to the harbour. This pillar stood alone in the water behind where the Aranui was anchored by the time we woke up in the morning.

The true adventure however started when it came time for us to disembark the whaleboats when we arrived on shore. It was perhaps the most trecharous landing so far as the boat bounced...

Norm

Part 7: April 21 - 30, 2007 - Rangiroa and Tikehau

10 Days in the Tuamotu Islands


Coming Soon:

April 20 - 27, 2007: Rangiroa: Tuamotu Islands
The friendly town of Tiputa

April 27 - 30, 2007: Takarava, Tuamotu Islands
Relaxing in the Pearl Beach Resort Overwater Bungalows

Norm

A Final Few Days in Tahiti

An insistant long lost friend invites us to their home.


May 5, 2007 Return Home

Came home a few days early. A long but fulfilling journey to the many corners of French Polynesia.

Norm

The Victoria, BC to Port Angeles, Washington ferry known as the Coho or Blackball ferry has been running now for 48 years. Although it is not the most beautiful ship, it has a long history some of which include famous hit songs, of sailing into the Victoria harbour.

The ferry makes its way year-round (except for two weeks of drydock in the winter) between the two cities anywhere from two to three roundtrips daily. The Coho ferry now accepts vehicle reservations which alleviates the question as to weather or not you will make it onto the boat in the busy summer months. If you miss this ferry, it is a long 8 hours to Victoria on the only alternate route using the BC Ferries.

The ride on the Coho is comforable, complete...

Norm