It's Sunday morning and I just ran into Gary and Kate from Canada as we both were shopping for pearls! It's a small world.

Our stay at the Bora Bora Pearl was wonderful. It's all about the view! The OWB was very nice. Not a bug to be seen! The food at the resort was OK. Not my cup of tea.

On Bora Bora we also ate at Bloody Marys and Villa Mahana. Wendy, you're right! Bloody Marys is nothing to write home about. The food was OK, nothing great, but I'm glad we went.

Villa Mahana was wonderful! Damien is the owner/chef who is a nice person. The food was great. Having your own private chef to cook for me is my cup of tea!

Tonight is the Captain's welcome aboard dinner. We've been invited to dine at the Captain's private table with him! I've never been at a captain's table before. I'm very excited.

When we boarded the ship and got to our room (ocean view, deck 4) we were welcomed with a bottle of champage, fruit bowl, godiva truffles and our 2 bottles of liquour that we had requested. We also received our excursions tickets that I had signed up for online before the trip.

I just wanted to drop a quick note to all to say hello and thank you for all your tidbits of advice. This is truly living!

I'll post again throughout the week when I get a chance!



Love,
Babs

Babs...how wonderful to hear from you. Enjoy your time on the PG! Hope to hear more,

Babs, I am so glad your precruise worked out so well. I hope you really enjoy the PG. We're counting the days until we are aboard now.

Babs - what a great start to the trip! Who is the captain right now? Enjoy your evening at the Captain's table. Tell us all about the motu day tomorrow. Cheers, Anne

the best is yet to come! Have a great time

Hey Babs, glad you made it aboard! I an envious, you are definitely doing your trip of a lifetime!

Babs,

So glad you are having a great time. Thanks for taking the time to post. Enjoy!!!

Betty

Anne, the Captain is Rajko Zupan and he looks like a "Cutie Pie"!

The dinner last night was very good. The service is unbelieveable! I'm impressed.

Our cabin person is Alfredo. He's been wonderful.

I can't wait for Motu day tomorrow. My blow up rafts are ready to roll!

Hubby is taking the intro scuba course now so I thought I'd check in. The internet service is very good. It's nice to keep in touch with friends and family.

Babs

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. so glad your pre-cruise worked out like you wanted it too....... Have a fabulous time, and thanks so much for checking in with us!!!!

Yes, the captain is a cutie. We had dinner with him and enjoyed his company when we were on PIP. In Bora Bora, he takes his bicycle out for a ride. We had some wonderful stories about where he's sailed to.

Thanks for reporting in, Babs. Glad you enjoyed your pre-cruise. Report back, when you can.

It's motu day and I'm just waiting for the first tender to go to the beach. We have had beautiful weather so far, and today is no different.

Yesterday was the Children of Raitea show. We had a front row seat. We really enjoyed the show. At the end, the 4 year old girl gave me a ring of flowers for my hair and gave my hubby a ring of leaves for his hair!

When we returned to our room, there were 2 glasses of champagne and a cake that read: Happy Anniversary, waiting for us. It was truly magical.

Last night was the Captain's dinner. We also sat with Mimi, the Asst. Cruise Director. She's really got a lot of life in her!

As we entered the dining room and went to the table, I noticed there were place cards with our names on it at each setting. When I discovered mine, it was right next to the Captain! What an experience I will always remember. He is a very down to earth gentleman and we had a lovely chat over the course of our meal. The food as usual was wonderful! As were the "many" glasses of wine. I couldn't count, because our glasses were never empty!

Sitting on the other side of me was a gentleman from Grand Circle Travel. I forget his name exactly, it was something Like Zacke? He said he was in Engineering and part of the refurbishment. The "cournsieres" club is now going to be rooms. They should be lovely. The rest of the ship will get new carpeting and furniture.

I find the condition of the ship to be really "top notch". The ship is full, but you would never know it.

We made reservations for La Veranda for tuesday night. I'll let you know how we like the french food.

Enough for now, gotta go to the motu and have hubby blow up our rafts!

Love,
Babs

Sounds like a wonderful cruise. Glad the weather has been so cooperative. Continue to enjoy yourself.

Anthony

This morning we're in Bora Bora. Another beautiful day. Hubby is diving this morning and when he returns we're going on the waverunners around the island.

Yesterday at Motu Mahana was truly paradise. It was a picture perfect day. I have never seen such a beautiful place. The service, floating bar, food was wonderful. I was glad we had our blow up rafts. It is a place I will never forget. I understand now what everyone is talking about. This day is the iceing on the cake for this cruise!

We have met so many wonderful people on this cruise.

Tonight at 5:15PM is the anniversary party. I'm looking forward to that.

Love,
Babs


(Boy were those coconut drinks good on Motu Mahana)

Bab - so glad you are having such a great experience!! Was Clifford pulling the floating bar around for you? He was quickly renamed Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Did you get to the motu on Bora Bora? I missed it and would love to hear all about it.

Cheers, Anne (and there's no such thing as too many coconut drinks)

Ernesto and "Bo".... either 8/29/05 or 9/5/05. I think it was 8/29.



Glad you're having such a great time, Babs!!

If you see Raina, of Les Gauguines, please give her our love, and ask her to pass it on!

Kim & Alice

You know, Anne, when it was motu day on PIP, I do not recall that bartender just standing there doing nothing. As I floated by on my Swimways Raft, I seem to remember quite a crowd of LCT'ers keeping him busy.

I also don't recall many of us looking quite as trim as that pretty girl that's standing there. Too much Rack of Lamb.

Thanks for bringing your cruise to us live! I'm living vicariously until I can enjoy my own next November. This is going to be a looong wait!

I tried to post a few pictures for you, Anne, of the Bora Bora motu but the one I did came through GIGANTIC and I did not like the way it messed up this thread so I deleted it. I hope that Babs gets a chance to go there today. It really is pretty and peaceful. I loved both Motu Mahana and the Bora Bora motu.

Thanks for trying, Kathy Z. I guess I'll just have to go back on the PG sometime & see it for myself (minus the respiratory infection).

ChatKat, I sure don't recall that bartender being so lonely on PIP's Ta'haa motu day, either. Mob scene is a better description. Suzanne was so chic with her drink color coordinated with her swimsuit and hat.

Cheers, Anne

Babs, Ohhhhhh how I wish we were right there with you! Sounds like pure paradise. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

We never made it to the Anniversary Party. After the waverunner "we" went pearl shopping. No pearl yet, but tomorrow is Moorea and that's going to be my mission.

The waverunner around Bora Bora was beautiful. What a great way to see the Island. We went by the new hotels near the Le Meridan that they are building. One is the Hilton and the other is the Ritz (so John the waverunner guy says). They really look too big and out of proportion for the island.

Today we swam with the sharks and stingrays. What a blast! I was very proud of myself because I wasn't scared at all. The water is an unbelievable blue. I've never seen water like this.

Bye for now! The casino awaits us.

Babs

Sounds like you've had two great days. Thanks for taking the time to post. Keep having fun and good luck with the pearl shopping!

Here is the photo for ya Kathy! Amazing...

Thanks, Robert! For folks who have not been on the PG, this is the only place on the 7 or 10 day itinerary where you walk right off the landing front of the tender onto the beach. Other photos I took from this spot would be panning left for a great view of the Paul Gauguin at anchor with the island of Bora Bora in the background, turning to my right for a view down the very long beach and turning about 150 degrees to the left to see all the beautiful and shade giving palm trees.

Last night at the casino we had a lot of fun at the roulette table. A lot of Long Island New York people there!

Today we're in Moorea. We rented a car and drove to "Le Belevedere" lookout. It was beautiful. The car we rented was from Avis, was a standard shift with air conditioning. Pretty nice I thought.

We also stop at the Sheraton Moorea. Very nice hotel. I certainly wouldn't mind staying there. I did notice that it was a mix of honeymooners and families staying there. At the Pearl on Bora Bora there were strickly honeymooners (and us!).

Today I made my pearl purchase at the Black Gem Pearl Company. I got a beautiful pearl/diamond pendant along with stud earrings. I wish this dream vacation never ends! While I shopped for pearls, my hubby took advantage of the "free" water, soda, beer and champagne.

Tonight is the pearl "sale" in the ship's store. They're having "free" champagne.

Well, gotta go have dinner again....

I really like the food. I'm afraid to get on the scale when we get back.

Tomorrow is the Aqua Safari on Moorea. Wish me luck!

Babs

Babs, Thanks for posting.

The Aqua Safari was a lot of fun for me. I will be looking forward to your post to hear how much you enjoyed it.

I love my Black pearls, I wear them all the time. I got the kind called a station necklace and stud earrings in the Peacock color. Buying them was a highlight of the trip. We ate a restauant down the road from the BPGC and got a kick out of seeing the little pea hens walking in and out of the restaurant. And a dog came in, laid down at my feet while I ate - not begging - just resting under the table.

Anne,

So happy SOMEONE noticed my color co-ordination.

Babs, So glad you are having a spectacular time. I also bought my pearls at Black Gem.

How about joining the LCT crew on November 12 in NYC? We are having a land get together for dinner.

Babs, I am loving your reports. You really make it come alive for me!

Kathy,

Buying my pearls was also a big highlight of our trip. We ate next door to the BGPC and had the best pizza! I was surprised how good it was!

Last night was "lobster night". The lobster tails were very good. Everyone seemed to enjoy them.

I did pretty good at the Casino last night. Not enough to buy some more pearls though! Not too many people there, but still had a lot of fun.

Today is our last full day on the cruise. Tomorrow morning we chose to skip the Tahiti tour and go straight to the Radisson Plaza for our day room, and then off to LA on the 10PM flight. I sure hope I can sleep on the plan.

Off I go to the Aqua Safari!

Babs

Babs - hope you enjoyed the Aqua Safari. The bay is simply beautiful.

Personal opinion? Good call on skipping the Tahiti tour in favor of the Radisson day room. Just remember luggage movement is a mess; if you can, take your own with you when you get your room key. Otherwise it will be a long while before you see it. They were trying to have us store our luggage when we were there for the half-day.

The pool (it's got an infinity edge) and the black sand are beautiful. There's a very small snack bar on the second level of the airport if you don't eat dinner at the hotel ($$$).

Safe journey home. Are you on the nonstop to NY or are you coming in via LAX? Cheers, Anne

Andreas should have taken over as Hotel Director on the PG by now. We ran into him outside the Delta arrivals area at LAX last Wednesday evening Oct 12th - we on our way here (Singapore) via Bangkok to join the Mariner here on Moday for Sydney, he was looking for Air France to get to Tahiti to fill in as Hotel Director on the PG for a couple of months before he takes the Mariner around So. America starting in January! Wonderful HD; when he is aboard, things are smooth, excellent and very hospitable. A true gentleman! Say hello to him for Pat and Mike, count Florida.

Ditto Anne on skipping the Tahiti tour. It gave a new meaning to the word 'bad'. Not a great way to finish up a super cruise.

Have a restful trip home with all your wonderful memories! Thanks for priming the pump here. We are getting ready to go.

It's Saturday morning and we're out of our room. We leave the ship at 1PM to go to the Radisson and then onto PPT for our 10PM flight to LAX. We arrive in LAX at 9AM Sunday and leave for JFK at 1PM. We'll get in to JFK Sunday at 9:30PM. It will be a long haul!

Yesterday we did the Aqua Safari on Moorea. The bay is beautiful. I was OK until I got down on the bottom and had a little trouble balancing when I stood up. It turns out that they had a strong current that day. Sure, my luck! But, hubby had a great time and so did everyone else. I'm glad I did it, but I don't think I'll do it again.

When we got back to our room after the Aqua Safari we received an invitation for a private bridge tour with the Captain! It was so interesting. Things just keep getting better and better!

It's time to go up to the pool and relax at the Bloody Mary party until we leave.

Anne, thanks for the tip. I'll try to keep my luggage in my room at the Radisson! Wish me luck!

Goodbye for now and I hope that what I've wrote has helped future PG'ers. I know when planning this trip I truly appreciated everyones opinions and tips.

Radisson has truly exceeded our expectations. This has been unbelievable!

Babs

Babs, thanks for the sea mail. Glad the trip was wonderful. Wishing you many more!

Babs - thanks for taking the time to keep us updated. Your reports have been great! We sail on the PG in December so the information has been very helpful. Glad you've had a wonderful time - safe travels on the looooong journey home.

Dena

Well, back to work today! We had a nice time in our day room at the Radisson Plaza, Tahiti. We opened the door and realized we had a suite! It had a large bedroom, big bathroom, a half bath, a living room and a large balcony. We mostly stayed in the pool though. What a change in service! We waited about 1 hour to get a cheeseburger at the restaurant.

We got our luggage at PPT with no problem. Got our pearl tax receipts stamped by customs, put them in the mail box and we left ATN at 10PM Saturday night.

The flights all went well with no trouble. I managed to sleep about 5 hours from PPT to LAX.
Got back to JFK Sunday night 9:30PM.

We have met so many wonderful people on the cruise. We would do this vacation again in a heartbeat! For all you future PG'er's you are very lucky!

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

Babs

Sedona:

I'm not sure we can make it Nov 12th, but give me the details when you get a moment. We may be away that weekend. I really appreciate you including us!

Babs

Babs, I just read this post for and I can just feel the happiness in your words! I am glad you had a wonderful time and also that you arrived home safely.