May 30 Rangiroa
First ever visit to an atoll. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out pretty much the way I had anticipated. A long, thin island with a single road. No elevation to speak of.
We anchored in the lagoon, and here's the view of the atoll.
We tendered to one of the wide spots next to the inlet. There was the inevitable cluster of canopies for the vendors. Black pearls are a big thing in this area.
Snorkeling and diving were the main pursuits at this stop. Many boats were clustered right at the lagoon side of the inlet where the interesting stuff was to be found. The current through this area was strong, and several people snorkeling needed assistance in getting back to their boat.
We walked along the single road through the small village.
And as it turned to parallel the ocean.
A view of the inlet from the ocean side.
Looking across the inlet -- which wasn't very wide. Just barely enough room for our ship to pass through.
Lawn ornament
Homes were very open, with the ubiquitous dog.
A guy working his way through a big pile of coconuts, removing the nut from the husk.
About a mile down the lagoon was this hotel.
We set sail and passed through the inlet just after sunset.
Another set of maps. The enclosed lagoon was large, about 20 to 25 miles across. We couldn't see the islands on the far side from our position. And they were so flat that a tsunami or cyclone would just roll right across without pausing.
Here's the small part that we visited.
And here's the view of the entire atoll.
May 29 Huahine
Another volcanic island that long ago exploded to leave a nice harbor for us to pull into. Not big enough for a dock, so we anchor in the middle and use our lifeboat/tender to transfer people back and forth.
I can't tell you how to pronounce the name of the place we're in. We took two different tours, and the guides pronounced it differently. Wah - hee - nee or Who - ah - ee - nay or make one up on your own. It's a fun game the whole family can play.
The blues and the greens are vivid and saturated everywhere you look. It's amazing.
The tender right below our room was launched by Joao, an officer I talk to everytime we have a lifeboat drill. He answers all of my stupid questions about ship handling,.
Our first tour of the day was by bus around the northern island.
This is the Maeva, an archeological site similar to the one we visited on Raiatea.
Century old fish traps still maintained and used.
The famous blue eyed eels of Huahine, grinning (or sneering) at you.
The view from Belvedere
In the afternoon we took a boat from the tender dock to one of the barrier islands for a picnic and snorkeling. This is the view back towards the harbor inlet.
Lunch. You sat with your butt in the water.
Walk across the island to the ocean side. The reef is about 50 yards out and keeps the shallow area near the beach very calm for snorkeling and wading.
Returning from the picnic island. A beautiful day.
The route that we took on the island, if this interests you. The flag marks the spot where we anchored and tendered to the dock to the southeast. We looped around the northern island, then boated to the eastern island for the picnic.
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
We tendered to one of the wide spots next to the inlet. There was the inevitable cluster of canopies for the vendors. Black pearls are a big thing in this area.
Snorkeling and diving were the main pursuits at this stop. Many boats were clustered right at the lagoon side of the inlet where the interesting stuff was to be found. The current through this area was strong, and several people snorkeling needed assistance in getting back to their boat.
We walked along the single road through the small village.
And as it turned to parallel the ocean.
A view of the inlet from the ocean side.
Looking across the inlet -- which wasn't very wide. Just barely enough room for our ship to pass through.
Lawn ornament
Homes were very open, with the ubiquitous dog. 
A guy working his way through a big pile of coconuts, removing the nut from the husk.
About a mile down the lagoon was this hotel.
We set sail and passed through the inlet just after sunset.
Another set of maps. The enclosed lagoon was large, about 20 to 25 miles across. We couldn't see the islands on the far side from our position. And they were so flat that a tsunami or cyclone would just roll right across without pausing.
And here's the view of the entire atoll.
