Mangareva , Gambia Islands
April 4th
The ship arrived at Mangareva, French Polynesia, by 7 and worked its way through the myriad oyster beds. After breakfast we had an efficient Immigration clearance. Then went ashore in a flat calm. There was a, rather too long, Welcome Ceremony of native dancing and music; no where to sit down to enjoy it though!. Then we set out on a guided walk, with little guidance. After the chapel we strolled out ahead, visiting the huge cathedral and then continuing in search of the ruined convent, Rouri; but we had taken the wrong road and walked for a mile or so parallel to the shore in vain, and 2 lots of natives could not understand us. It was an idyllic walk though. Returning to the cathedral one of the 5 shuttle jeeps offered us a lift; this was greatly appreciated as it was a long way away and uphill. Half way there we picked up Margot and JP and David realised how good a deal he had got in the lottery of life- wives!. The ruins of the ancient convent and home for young girls was poignant.
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click on a thumbnail to get a bigger photo
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We walked back, detouring into the cemetery where their last king, Maputeoa, was buried. We caught the last zodiac from the pier to Akena Beach at 11.30 - quite a rough ride of 20 minutes. There was precious little beach and , on landing, we then had to wander some way in up to 2 feet of water along the shore to where the snorkelling and swimming was taking place. We stripped off and went into the crowded water_ very unsatisfactory and not what we had anticipated. Soon came out and after negotiating the high tide back to the landing area, endured a really rough 15 minute trip back to ship. Then a tropical shower, so had lunch in the restaurant before spending the afternoon on the back deck. Enjoyed a Pina Colada there and the sunset. Ate up at Hot Rocks
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talk on the Bounty by Dot and then a cocktail Demo by Arturo , nothing special we lunched in the restaurant as Pia was doing a chicken Shiah kebab, but it was not memorable. There was a talk byJackie on Mining the Sea Floor and then we endulged in a Planters punch up on deck, temperature about 28 degrees but a cooling wind, Then Dmitri on Captain Cook s third voyage, and a recap and briefing, Marieka boasting about our three successful landings, Hang on, three out of seven! She does a good job, but destroys it all with her never ending self congratulation. Enjoyed a chat with hristine and Ian after a pleasant dinner in the restaurant. They too thought the snorted area a disaster.
Another day at sea. Lectures on Orchids by Chris and then Gauguin by Dmitri, lunch on deck, then a Bridge visit before David went to a wine tasting, organised by Bjiana. Dot on Polynesian tattoes. Had a chat with Robert whilst getting a new keycard. Then dinner in the restaurant, followed by watching the old black and white movie of the Bounty in the cabin: the depiction of Captain Bligh was atrocious but then there was a fifteen minute footage of life in Pitcairn in 1932
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on to Fatu Hiva