Polynesian Adventure, Day 15 & 16

 March 14, Thursday - Sunny and clear early in the AM, but by late afternoon, complete cloud cover.  Still warm in mid 80's

Mostly spent day on the ship, with the gang doing different things.  CP, ET, EP and PT did take the tender to shore.  CP and ET walked around a bit, visited the boutiques on the pier, and returned to the ship.  EP and PT hiked up Magic Mountain, seeing some wildlife and sweating.  The stats - 600 verts, 3.5 miles, 2:26 hours -- it doesn't sound like much, but with 85 degrees and 90% humidity, it was work.  We went up the steep way with several switchbacks and came down a longer, less steep route, though the two routes didn't seem much different.  The trail was paved the whole way -- ATV tours use the trail (we passed a gang coming down as we started up).  We did spot a few birds that were new to us. When we finished, we talked with another couple starting up; they were from Annapolis, MD.  Later, we reminisced about the 40 minutes up and 40 minutes down.

The island of Moorea - the ship is in the left bay near the top.

An eight-sided church.

A Mural showing a bearded immigrant, probably disrupting an idyllic island.

Partway up Magic Mountain.

First sighting of bird - red rump, some type of warbler, need to get verification from the naturalist.  It is a bulbul, an introduced species.

The final push uphill.

Panoramic View from the top.

View from the top.

Ditto.

Ditto.

Tree-lined path.

Second bird sighting - a nut cracker with a bluish beak - a waxbill.  Also introduced.

An odd flower/fruit tree.

Guava Tree

Multicolored Hibiscus hedge.

Magic Mountain from water level.

The lookout on top of Magic Mountain.

Last evening was "Polynesian Night" where the staff wore home island garb, all passengers pulled out their most colorful outfits, and free leis and tattoos were available to all.

PT's tattoo.

ET showing off her tattoo.

A close up of ET's tattoo.

EP's tattoo.

SS and LS color coordinated, with leis.

Our usual meeting place (the Piano Bar) for happy hour drinks and canapés.

Dinner for LS takes way too much time.   But he is getting to watch videos on BS' phone, which captures his attention.

The Gauguines singing Happy Birthday to a guest.

March 15,  Friday, the last full day of the cruise, second day at Moorea.  Weather as usual.  EP, ET, and PT decided to revisit the Te Fare Natura Museum/Aquarium after breakfast.  We tendered to the village pier, then taxied about 3 miles to the museum.  We enjoyed the four large fish tanks (inner and outer lagoon, the reef line and outer reef) and a "naturescape" -- a surround video of undersea life (in an A/C room), with lots of sharks, whales, and schools of fish.  However, English explanations were sparse, and there was almost no information about the flora and fauna ashore.  After seeing the museum, we walked a bit in search of birds, but found no new ones.  We returned to the ship, via taxi and then tender, in time for lunch.

The Te Fare Natura Museum/Aquarium.

Ditto.

Inside.

The aquarians.

 A series of tropical fish photos.

The Society Islands to the left, and the Tuamotu (atolls without inner islands) to the right.

Dogs are everywhere, but in the heat they are not very active - note the pigeons.

Lunch was followed by assorted activities, kayaking for BS and SS, napping for LS, initial packing (bags have to be outside our cabin door by midnight), idling by the pool, and watching an excellent documentary on sharks (PT and ET).  The afternoon ended with a farewell ritual on the 8th deck where all the crew members marched out to be recognized and thanked.

Last dinner was at our usual table, served by Cesar and crew.  We enjoyed another 3 or 4 course dinner, with chocolate martinis for after dinner drinks.  ET expressed interest in having one before leaving the cruise, so I had one brought to her.  That inspired ordering of two more chocolate martinis and a Port.  It was festival and celebratory.

We ended the evening watching a Tahitian Dance Troupe.  Another display of amazing hip movements, with loud percussion.

All of our luggage must be outside our cabins by midnight.  And we have to be out of the cabins by 8:00 am.