Jan31st-Catching Up at Sea

Pay attention class....THIS is valuable instructional material!!!

This is a Breadfruit.  It was almost single-handedly responsible for "The Mutiny On The Bounty!" Captain Bligh cut water rations for his crew in favor of keeping the Breadfruit plants he was transporting from Polynesia to the West Indies alive. It was hoped that the Breadfruit would be a cheap way to feed the slaves. Natives say that cooked over a fire until black, then popped open and served with copious amounts of butter is "good"(a reason why it's never found on a menu)...It never caught on...I'm not sure the plants actually ever made the trip successfully.

Another Instructional tidbit....Do Not ask your Polynesian Tour Guide named Elizabit where the closest "La Reine Du Lait" is! This was the response to George's attempt to find out where the closest "Dairy Queen" might be ...a dismissive branch in the face!   

Jan30th-Bora Bora

"Maruru"....means "Thank You" in Polynesian.....It says it all!

Jan 28th-Moorea

If you EVER get the chance to get to Moorea...grab your bathingsuit and go!!!

 Here's the scoop...Try to keep all the beautiful and exotic fantasies of Tahiti that years of "Mutiny on the Bounty" conjured up and don't under ANY circumstances actually come to Tahiti. Shocking, but it's a HUGE disappointment. We toured the island and the poverty and disrepair is rampant. I think the French just abandoned Tahiti, which really isn't surprising as they can hardly manage themselves. It's very lucky that a lot of self-sustaining fruits and veggies grow on trees year-round or there would probably be rebellion...for the sheer beauty and friendliness of the people, go to Moorea(only 9 miles from Tahiti and a world away)

Jan 25th-Crossing the Equator

You must supply your own mental imagery for this one! There is an old maritime tradition into which first-time equator crossers must be initiated. Yesterday, much to our chagrin, we were lured(herded) onto the upper deck for a mock kangaroo court proceeding....the outcome: Being sentenced to kiss the biggest slimiest gutted raw fish....to then be declared "non poly-wogs"...the equivalent of a rite of mermanhood passage....but wait! Weren't "The Nevilles" Equator virgins???? and where ARE THEY???? This is why we have not provided any images of this event...There are just some things one cannot ask of people from the far-away land of New Joisey to do! Good Night!

Jan 22nd-Sunset at sea about 400 nautical miles from Hawaii

A view from our room.....

Jan 21st-Maui

Our last stop in official USA territory. I continue to marvel at the beautiful variety of land that is our country. My Maui memories are of spouting, flipping whales....a mammoth Banyan tree....Hawaiian Shave ice...lush green cloud-shrouded, rainbow-tipped mini mountains running into the sea. Aloha...until we meet again in French Polynesia.

This sure beats Kayaking!!!!

Oahu Lesson #1

Always know who you're kayaking with (especially if you're up front!)

No wonder I was totally exhausted by the time we made it back!