May 28 Papeete Tahiti

Big day aboard as it's a changeover day -- 300 people getting off, 320 getting on.  We took a tour that was a lap of the island to get away from the ship while all the others were coming and going.  Still had to attend the lifeboat drill in the evening -- our 13th of the trip.  We are now experts at putting on life vests.

Arrival in Papeete

 Our tour was one big lap of the island.  We went counterclockwise.

 Most of Tahiti's beaches are black sand.

 At a snack stop, we had drinks and cake at a local restaurant right on the water.  You can see the waves breaking on the reef several hundred yards offshore.

 The restaurant had its own fish farm.

 At the north end of the island is Point Venus, where Captain Cook came to observe the transit of Venus in 1769.  Now another bathing beach, with lighthouse.

 Sunday, May 29 was the observation of Mother's Day in French Polynesia.  Our walk around downtown Papeete and the market was full of Mother's Day gifts.

 Cathedral Notre Dame de Papeete

Mynah along the promenade