Friday, February 23, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
French Polynesia: Moorea, Pape’ete, Huahine, Bora Bora Feb.16th 2007
These islands spread across 2,000,000 square miles of the South Pacific is an area as large as the continent of Europe. The first explorer was English Samuel Wallis in 1767 but by 1880 the French expelled the British (they were busy elsewhere) and the islands became French including the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, and Society Islands (Tahiti etc) and the Tuamotu atoll. These islands are very well kept. Except for Pape’ete which is a bustling port and congested city they are very laid back. We loved Moorea and Huahine which are sparsely developed and truly what we expected to find. Bora Bora is ringed with very expensive hotels and here we snorkeled in the gorgeous Blue Lagoon with the stingrays and black tipped sharks that are all quite tame. You could even pet the very soft and velvety rays. We didn’t get beyond “Bloody Mary’s” famous bar but heard that there was quite a bit of poverty here in Bora Bora. One night we had a fabulous Polynesian troupe onboard with fabulous music and dancers. A very hot but fascinating group of islands to visit.
The most amazing night Silversea could magically and secretly produce was laid before us as we left Huahine. They had replicas of many of the Gauguin paintings done in NYC that perfectly fit each window in the dining room ringed with gold frames and lots of hanging orchids.
These islands spread across 2,000,000 square miles of the South Pacific is an area as large as the continent of Europe. The first explorer was English Samuel Wallis in 1767 but by 1880 the French expelled the British (they were busy elsewhere) and the islands became French including the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, and Society Islands (Tahiti etc) and the Tuamotu atoll. These islands are very well kept. Except for Pape’ete which is a bustling port and congested city they are very laid back. We loved Moorea and Huahine which are sparsely developed and truly what we expected to find. Bora Bora is ringed with very expensive hotels and here we snorkeled in the gorgeous Blue Lagoon with the stingrays and black tipped sharks that are all quite tame. You could even pet the very soft and velvety rays. We didn’t get beyond “Bloody Mary’s” famous bar but heard that there was quite a bit of poverty here in Bora Bora. One night we had a fabulous Polynesian troupe onboard with fabulous music and dancers. A very hot but fascinating group of islands to visit.
The most amazing night Silversea could magically and secretly produce was laid before us as we left Huahine. They had replicas of many of the Gauguin paintings done in NYC that perfectly fit each window in the dining room ringed with gold frames and lots of hanging orchids.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
SHIPS AHOY, yes today, Feb. 9th, we landed on Pitcairn Island just as Fletcher Christian did on Sept. 21st 1790 with 8 of the loyal crew from the Bounty and the Tahitian wives and children. They carried all their supplies up the steep hill and then burned the Bounty in the bay. The hid there for 24 years before being discovered by a British frigate. After climbing up the steep paved path we met up with the Scottish doctor who took us to the very top of the island on his 4 wheeler (not Bill) and also to his house. With 47 now residing on the island and 7 children in the school (other teens in school in New Zealand) it is a very isolated place. As you can see in the photo they came onboard 1st with 38 people and at least 100 bags of souvenirs to sell. It was like Filene’s basement in the Pacific. How thrilling this landing was although rough as we were not permitted ashore in Easter Isl.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
As we begin our journey on Silverseas’ SHADOW across the Pacific Ocean from Valparaiso, Chile to Auckland, New Zealand we hope you will enjoy some of our images and information we learn along the way.
We loved Santiago a very modern city with such varied new architecture with historic buildings right next door. We ate at the restaurant of a Bangor girl, Kenyon Shubert who grew up with our guys. She relocated here after law school and opened their very good vegetarian restaurant with two other Chilean women. It was so interesting to visit the house and museum of poet Pablo N
erunda.
Our first port is Robinson Crusoe Island where Selkirk was stranded for 4 years being rescued in 1708, the story for the book: “Robinson Crusoe”. It is inhabited by 600 people and 1500 fur seals nearby. We were able to go around the island in a small boat, thanks to our French friend, Paul. We had a great guide Pedro who lives there with his wife and 2 children. Their lobster season runs from Oct to March. A new industry on the island is the 
treasure hunter who is excavating (with financial support of a gentleman, Keiser, from Chicago) the last Spanish galleon treasure of $10 billion supposedly buried here. Also the Dresden sank offshore here in 1915. Back to the ship and 3 sea days before Easter Island and yes we did get to see the Super Bowl.
Boy what a day around Easter Island on Feb 6th as we could not land after the first tender went ashore with a sick woman. It was quite rough. However the captain was quite clever and he asked Sir Tony Wilson who is one of the lecturers on board to give a detailed description from the bridge as we circumnavigated the island and saw the Moais from afar.
Today we are planning a New England gathering as the Wilsons live 6 months in Vermont and there are 14 more of us northerners. It’s quite rough and raining today and it looks doubtful to get into Pitcairn Island tomorrow.
We loved Santiago a very modern city with such varied new architecture with historic buildings right next door. We ate at the restaurant of a Bangor girl, Kenyon Shubert who grew up with our guys. She relocated here after law school and opened their very good vegetarian restaurant with two other Chilean women. It was so interesting to visit the house and museum of poet Pablo N
erunda.
Our first port is Robinson Crusoe Island where Selkirk was stranded for 4 years being rescued in 1708, the story for the book: “Robinson Crusoe”. It is inhabited by 600 people and 1500 fur seals nearby. We were able to go around the island in a small boat, thanks to our French friend, Paul. We had a great guide Pedro who lives there with his wife and 2 children. Their lobster season runs from Oct to March. A new industry on the island is the 
treasure hunter who is excavating (with financial support of a gentleman, Keiser, from Chicago) the last Spanish galleon treasure of $10 billion supposedly buried here. Also the Dresden sank offshore here in 1915. Back to the ship and 3 sea days before Easter Island and yes we did get to see the Super Bowl.Boy what a day around Easter Island on Feb 6th as we could not land after the first tender went ashore with a sick woman. It was quite rough. However the captain was quite clever and he asked Sir Tony Wilson who is one of the lecturers on board to give a detailed description from the bridge as we circumnavigated the island and saw the Moais from afar.
Today we are planning a New England gathering as the Wilsons live 6 months in Vermont and there are 14 more of us northerners. It’s quite rough and raining today and it looks doubtful to get into Pitcairn Island tomorrow.
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