We’re Baaaack!!!!. Yes, after a very relaxing 10 days aboard the
incomparable m/s Paul Gauguin, sailing to exotic tropical ports in the Society
Islands of French Polynesia, I have only three small disappointments to
mention. First, the long flight to and from Papeete, Tahiti was not fun. Yes, I
spent a couple hours laying on the galley floor on the plane. Thank you to the
Canadian doctor with the magic cure for nausea. Second, all of you couldn’t be
there with us. And finally, like waking from a wonderful dream – we had to come
home. What an amazing and seamless experience though. The Paul Gauguin team was
truly tops, from the corporate office making special arrangements for our group
to the ship’s Captain and his entire staff. The food too was fantastic, almost
as good as ours at the club. The weather was terrific. The sights were amazing.
It was a bucket list item for Kathie and me for sure. I can’t thank Pam
Northcott enough for making the 2018 Commodore’s Cruise a smooth sailing
success. I also want to thank everyone who joined us. The trip wouldn’t have
been nearly as much fun without you. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to
get to know some of you better.
To paint a couple images for those who weren’t able to come along – We
arrived in a hot and humid Tahiti early in the morning, not yet acclimated to
the muggy weather. After a short rest at the Intercontinental Hotel in Papeete,
we headed by bus to the ship.
From Papeete, we sailed to Huahine, a pair of small lush green islands
joined by a short narrow bridge. Groups of six or so climbed into the back of a
well-used Range Rover pickup with a simple tin roof. The local kids were
jumping off the bridge into the refreshing teal water as we drove by. The
greens and blues there can’t be described. We pulled off the road here and
there for scenic photo opps before stopping at a small stream where we fed
several large fresh water blue eyed eels. We then boarded a panga that took us
through a brief warm squall to a small pearl farm on a tiny free-standing pier
in a well-protected picturesque bay. Heavy surf was breaking on the shallow
reef a half mile away. We visited ancient temples and learned about the
cannibalistic practices that existed less than 200 years ago. A direct descendent
of the local tribe, our guide and driver, added a few local stops to see some
special sights, so we skipped the vanilla farm and raced back. The last tender
was waiting at the dock. What a fun start to the trip.
Next, we visited Bora Bora for two days. Frank, Joanie, Kathie and I
met Kavika, a salty surfer from the States turned local cab driver. “Take us to
Bloody Mary’s and pick us up in 2 hours”, we told him. Bloody’s was ho-hum, so
we called Kavika to pick us up after just 15 minutes. We asked to go to the
Bora Bora - not really a “Yacht Club”. He asked if we trusted him. Sure, why
not. So instead, next stop, the “Lucky House”, a simple shack of a house turned
pizza joint with no view but great drinks, fresh homemade pizza and a pool!
Joanie hopped right in as we made ourselves at home. Heading back to the dock a
couple hours later, Kavika pulled over in front of a small house and slid open
a long, wobbly metal gate. “This is my buddy’s house. Come on in” There in the
unkept front yard was a huge WWII naval canon resting on two enormous anchors,
a little rusted and justkinda set in a corner. But what a cool piece of local
history that’s not on the typical guided tour. I found it especially
interesting because my Dad served as an engineer in the Marines on the nearby
islands in 1941.
Following two days on Bora Bora, we headed for Rangiroa for a day, then
Fakarava, two of the larger outlying Taumotus, some 300 miles north east of
Tahiti.
Because the 504 foot Paul Gauguin has barely a six foot draft, it can
pass through narrow and very shallow reef gateways leading from deep open ocean
with wind-driven swells to breathtaking anchorages in calm picturesque waters.
Our captain seemed to thread that needle several times along the cruise. Our
adventures ranged from snorkeling in a secluded cove off a small island near
Taha’a to swimming in the stunning blue lagoon on Fakarava.
We swam with the rays and sharks near Moorea’s Opunohu Bay. But,
mosquitos aside, I think my favorite experience was hiking the “Trail of the
Ancients” in the jungles of Moorea with our colorful and extremely
knowledgeable guide, Mark Eddowes. Or was it the uncrowded and un-rushed dining
aboard ship, or champagne in our cabin each morning, or the endless wine and
cocktails, or the always available lounges by the pool and near the bar or
maybe the glorious sunsets every evening as we headed out to open waters and
the next day’s tropical adventure?
OH!, I almost forgot to mention the two wonderful private events Paul
Gauguin arranged for us. We were first treated to a private cocktail party on
the top deck hosted by the ship’s Senior Officers. I was very proud to see our
burgee flying overhead on the ships flag mast. They also arranged an exclusive
DWYC brunch in the La Veranda fantail restaurant. Again, our burgee was
prominently displayed. Thank you, Marcia, Irenia, Michale and Captain Mirkovic.
Suffice it to say, Kathie and I would go back in a heartbeat, and I’d take
every one of you with me, if I could. We’ve gotta play to win, right?
Early in the trip, we had the pleasure of meeting Joan and Ron Druett
from New Zealand. Joan is a travel blogger and her husband, Ron is a revered
historical maritime painter. What a joy to have met them. A casual chance
meeting with a simple hello started the conversation. Joan asked, “Are you one
of the yachties? You have that look about you?” “Yes, we are with the Dana West
group”, I replied with a smile. The four of us enjoyed a few brief
conversations during the cruise. I learned on the last day that Joan was the
featured lecturer on the Paul Gauguin, talking about Tupaia, Captain Cook, the
Mutiny on the Bounty, Shipwrecks and Castaways, and the discovery of Tahiti by
the first Europeans. I was disappointed that Kathie and I hadn’t attended her
lecture, but we exchanged contacts and Joan sent me this link to her blog ----
Scroll down a ways and you will see a
familiar burgee. Thank you, Joan, for your kind mention of Dana West. It was a
pleasure to have met you both.
I know I’m leaving out lots of great details, fond memories and
probably forgetting some important mentions like the Birthdays and
Anniversaries some of our members celebrated on the cruise. I’ll leave it to
them to share their memories with you. After all the planning and anticipation,
our 2018 Commodore’s Cruise is now behind us. An amazing Adventure of a
Lifetime for Kathie and me, for sure.
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