Pape'ete Tahiti

We arrived to Tahiti about 5 pm January 15.  This is a busy commercial dock area with container ships, oil storage and ferries. Were able to take a quick stroll around downtown Papeete before sunset.  That evening O Tahiti E, a local dance troupe, entertained a packed house with a wonderful show on the ship.  Man could those girls swivel their hips! See photos below of the costumes.

Today we took a short guided walking tour of downtown Papeete with Maeva.  Tahiti has a population of about 200,000, with even more cars than people.  The traffic in downtown is congested and constant.  We saw the local Catholic Church, Parliament building, market and lots of pearl shops. Black pearls are the "hot" item here but are pricey.  Didn't purchase anything.

The gents of O Tahiti E dance group

O Tahiti E dance troupe after the show

They didn't have my size!

Parliament building. Tahitt is the capital of French Polynesia.

The market in downtown Papeete

Taiohae, Nuku Hiva (French Polynesia)

We spent a few hours walking along Taiohae bay in Nuku Hiva, the largest of the Marquesas islands in the south Pacific. French control began in 1842. The island is sparsely populated, with only 2500 inhabitants, so there were no tour guides or buses.   The island is dotted with carved wood and stone tikis, the largest of which is at the top of the hill near the port.

After tendering to the dock, we walked down to the Notre Dame cathedral (Cathedral of our Lady of the Marquesas Islands), built in 1977.  It is decorated with carved wooden statues and stations of the cross. We then walked to the end of the point in Taiohae bay to find a lovely little museum curated by Rose Corser.  Rose and her husband came to Nuku Hiva years ago from California to study Polynesian art, fell in love with the island, bought property and now own the Te'e Tai Inn, Museum and Art Gallery.

Old section of the Cathedral of Notre Dame of the Marquesas

Large stone tiki on top of the hill

Lectern of carved wood at the Notre Dame cathedral

The Taiohae Bay on Nuku Hiva

A carved wooden canoe with  at the Nuku Hiva museum

Crossing the Equator

We crossed the equator into the southern hemisphere this afternoon.  There is a Nordic tradition that those persons who have not crossed the equator (called pollywogs) must kiss a fish then jump into the ocean (or pool, in our case) in order to become a shellback.  We gathered around the pool for this ceremony.  Aegir, the Norse god of the sea, presided over the festivities while crew and passengers participated in the ceremony.  After exiting the pool, each person took a shot of aquavit, which is vodka with herbs added.  The captain, cruise director and hotel manager all jumped into the pool with their clothes/uniforms on. It was great fun! 

We will arrive to Nuku Hiva, the capital of the Marquesas islands on Saturday.  Will be visiting the French Polynesian islands for the next few days after that.

Aiger, the Norse god of the sea, and a mermaid preside over the ceremony

A band of Vikings were at the ceremony

Kissing the fish

Into the pool

Elmer, assistant cruise director, as a Viking

The captain and chief engineer  ready to jump into the pool

The Viking "Sun"

The Viking Sun is our "home" for the 141 day world cruise from Miami to London.  It was built in 2017 and carries 930 passengers and about 450 crew members.  It is a beautiful ship with understated Nordic decor.

The Wintergarden, an enclosed area for receptions, reading and afternoon tea

Outside seating for meals at The World Cafe 

Deck 7, Aft

The infinity pool at the stern of the ship

The World Cafe, buffet-style dining area

The 3-story atrium

Manfredi's, the Italian restaurant

The thermal pool and hot tub area of the spa

Snow grotto in the spa

Star Theater, venue for lectures, movies and nightly entertainment

The Restaurant, formal dining room

Our Penthouse Veranda room

Malibu, California

We visited the beautiful Getty Villa in Malibu today. It was built in 1972 by J Paul Getty, an oil tycoon, to house his extensive collection of ancient antiquities.  The collection includes Greek and Roman statuary, mosaics, pottery, glassware, coins, and even a mummy. The villa is a reproduction of an estate in Pompeii and is located in a canyon just off the Pacific ocean.  The building, gardens and artwork are very impressive.

We also took a short drive along the Pacific Coast Highway to see the lovely homes along the beach and up in the hills.  It was a beautiful California day -- 70 and sunny.  Tonight we leave the Port of Los Angeles and spend 7 days at sea on our way to the islands of French Polynesia. ]

Hercules 

The inner peristyle of the villa

Looking into the Malibu hills near Pepperdine University

Los Angeles, California

We have completed the first leg of the cruise (Miami, Cuba, Central America, through the Panama Canal, Cabo) and are spending the night in LA to refuel, restock supplies, and pick up the rest of the passengers for the world cruise.  We took a bus tour of LA & Beverly Hills and had a wonderful guide who knew the history of the city and entertainment business.  Below are a few of the sites we saw today.  Tomorrow we will tour the Getty Villa and Malibu coastline before heading out into the Pacific on our way to French Polynesia.

Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed by Frank Gehry and built of Peruvian limestone and chrome

La iglesia de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles, in the oldest part of LA

The iconic sign in the Hollywood hills. Each letter is 50 feet high by 30 feet wide

The view of the Port of Los Angeles from our balcony.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

We spent New Year's Day 2018 in Cabo San Lucas, at the tip of the Baja peninsula. It is a desert environment with beautiful resorts lining the coastline. The bay where we anchored had a great view of the rock formations at the point (photo).  The pier area has a nice selection of bars and shops for tourists (photo). A hotel building boom is occurring here-- 7000 more rooms will be added within the next year, including a Ritz Carlton. There are 28 golf courses within a 20 mile drive between Cabo and San Jose del Cabo.  San Jose has an old Catholic mission church (photo) and a street of beautiful art galleries.

Will arrive in Los Angeles in 3 days, pick up some additional world cruise passengers, then begin our westward journey to French Polynesia.  We are having the time of our lives on this wonderful cruise.