Dreaming of Tahiti

We've been utterly spoiled during the last few days. Those beautiful islands surrounded by turquoise waters were the tropical destinations of our dreams. Asked to name such a place before we planned this trip, I’d probably have said “Tahiti”.

And here we are.

Wow. Who'd have thought it?!

We arrived in Pape'ete, the capital of French Polynesia, where many people were leaving the ship to travel home and where we'd welcome on board new people, including some old friends. It's changeover day. Now, I knew from seeing photographs our friends shared, that there's beautiful places on this island too, but sadly, Pape'ete isn't one of them. Or at least, not this part!

We weren't alone here, for the Holland America ship Koningsdam was already at the next pier when we arrived.

Across the way at the next pier was the strange Alcyone tanker with its two “rotor sails”, a surefire conversation starter over drinks that evening!

As the tug guided Mariner into place, however, we looked around and noted that this was not the Tahiti of our dreams.

However, with four busy days behind us and two more coming up, we needed no persuasion than to take an extra “sea day”. The image of Tahiti that was in my imagination remains intact then, with the palm trees swaying by the white sandy beach and turquoise water.