Soaking Up Tropical Beauty of Tahiti, Moorea and Raiatea

Days 25- 27, 2025 Grand World Voyage

Tuesday-Thursday, Jan. 28-30, 2025; Tahiti, Moorea and Raiatea, Society Islands, French Polynesia.

Not much can top the beauty of South Pacific islands. Sandy beaches, breaking waves on reefs, lush vegetation, tall palm trees and soaring peaks. And the water – every blue in my paint palate and then some.

As much as I love the beauty of the South Pacific, it’s not my favorite cruising ground. These islands are known for stellar snorkeling, but in recent years floating on waves can make me nauseous. (Perhaps it is related to a sense of vertigo I’ve developed. If I ever spend enough time on land, I’ll probably consult a neurologist.) I’m not much for lying on the beach, as my fair skin burns easily. The heat and humidity sap my energy.

When I was last in Tahiti, Moorea and Raiatea in 2023, I enjoyed island tours of these stunning islands (described in the links so I won’t repeat here). This year I didn’t make any tour plans, but ventured ashore on my own. In retrospect a little planning might have been a good thing. There’s always more to see.

In Pape’ete, the capital of French Polynesia on Tahiti, the ships officers treated us to the gift of fragrant leis as we disembarked. Many passengers like to buy bouquets of flowers here to bring back to their cabins. I didn’t see as many for sale in the large covered marketplace near the cruise pier as in past years.

My intention was the same as last time I was here – to sketch and perhaps paint ashore. I’m drawn to interesting architecture, such as the nearby city hall. But somehow I talked myself out of it once there, as I’m challenged by the many details and I couldn’t find a good shaded vantage point from which to work. I promised myself I would work later from my photograph.

We were fortunate to be docked in Pape’ete overnight until 4 a.m., when we made the short journey to nearby Moorea. Some of us thought we would have dinner ashore at the roulettes, or food trucks famous in French Polynesia. I’ve seen them in the past on a vacant lot just steps from the ship’s pier, but that must have been on a weekend. On Tuesday night there was just one truck.

Not to worry – the ship turned the Lido Deck into our own roulette, with booths staffed by chefs offering their native cuisines – French Polynesian, Turkish, Mexican and Indian.

Moorea is a beautiful tender port, a small island where over-water bungalows draw visitors to a number of resorts. Among the high peaks is one made famous as Bali Hai in the musical South Pacific.

I joined fellow passenger Deb on a local van that took us to a shopping area a couple of miles down the road. One shop had beautiful wooden carvings and jewelry made locally, but we settled for just browsing followed by a local beer.

Back at the tender dock, I couldn’t resist buying a couple of paintings from local artists. Not having a home, I have no idea where I will ever hang them, but for now they inspire me in the cabin.

We celebrated Lunar New Year on the ship with fresh fish in the Lido Market and a full menu of Chinese options in the dining room.

My strongest memory of my last visit to Uturoa, Raiatea, was the stunning sail-in, as we cut inside the reef and sailed within spitting distance (as we say in Texas) of the shore. This time we came in a different route, not quite as stunning but still beautiful.

Again, I settled for browsing through the shops at the cruise pier and the nearby grocery store, stocked with many goods from France. The freshly baked baguettes went quickly. It was a good reminder that this is French Polynesia, a territory of France.

Back on board, our hosts are determined to not let a day pass without another special occasion or observance. Today it was an afternoon ice cream social. But instead of serving from the Lido buffet or from long lines near the pool, they came to us, having loaded up mobile carts with various flavors of ice cream and toppings.

I can’t let this post go by without mentioning that once again, my beloved Kansas City Chiefs will be headed to the Super Bowl. Last Sunday, we watched them squeak out another victory. By the time the Super Bowl is here, we will have crossed the International Dateline and will watch the game live sometime midday on Monday, Feb. 10. I am so far three-for-three watching the Chiefs win the Super Bowl from the world cruise. Fingers crossed my luck will hold.