Tag Archives: cruise vacation

March 27, 2017 · 5:35 am

Port 8 Mo’orea — Climbing High

Crown Princess in port

We left Bora Bora in the Crown Princess’ rearview mirror on Tuesday, November 3, with a scheduled departure time of 9:00 p.m. Why so late? Because we had less than 180 statute miles/155 nautical miles/290 kilometers to sail to our next destination. The next morning we reached our next port of call Mo’orea, French Polynesia, and, unlike Bora Bora, a former part of the Kingdom of Tahiti.

Mount Tohivea — Highest point on Mo’orea at 3,960 feet/1,207 meters)

Like that craggy mountain photo above? You’re going to see a lot more of that peak over the next two week’s, as Mount Tohivea is not only visible throughout most of Mo’orea, but even on neighboring island Tahiti and its capital city Papeete. The Crown Princess anchored in Opunohu Bay and once again we tendered into port. Awaiting us ashore was our next tour, FranckyFranck Moorea Tours, and our driver/tour guide was none other than owner Franck “Francky” Dean.

Francky Franck Tours

Francky is quite the character, and it appeared that there was a bit of not so friendly rivalry between him and his chief competitor. The exchange of barbs between the two at our various stops were quite amusing.

Mo’orea — Traveling inland

Fortunately, both Francky and his competitor use four-wheel drive vehicles, because some of the narrow, steep drop-off, rain slicked muddy trails were rather a test of nerves at times. The images along the way were worth it, though. Adding to the mystique this day were the low clouds enveloping and cascading down the tropical green mountainous slopes.

Overlooking the Crown Princess in Opunohu Bay

We’ll continue our tour on Wednesday. Until then I’ll leave you with these images:

Mo’orea

Mo’orea reef and channel — Crown Princess tenders both left and right

Mo’orea interior

Mo’orea shoreline

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation

Tagged as Crown Princess, cruise vacation, FranckyFranck Tours, Mo'orea, photography, R. Doug Wicker, South Pacific, travel, travel photography, vacation

March 24, 2017 · 5:35 am

Fun Photo Friday — Bora Bora favorites Part 2

Bora Bora Blues

Today’s Fun Photo Friday concludes our look at Bora Bora. Next week we move on to Mo’orea.

Bora Bora

In Flight

Maohi Nui

Patrick

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation

Tagged as Bora Bora, Crown Princess, cruise vacation, Fun Photo Friday, Maohi Nui, photography, R. Doug Wicker, South Pacific, travel, travel photography, vacation

March 22, 2017 · 5:35 am

Port 7 Bora Bora — An excursion to Bloody Mary’s

World Famous Bloody Mary’s Bar, Restaurant, & Yacht Club

As we headed back to the dock where we would tender back to the Crown Princess, Patrick presented to us one last option. Those who wanted to go back to the ship immediately could disembark from his outrigger in Nūnu’e. Those who wanted instead to visit the “World Famous” Bloody Mary’s Bar, Restaurant, & Yacht Club could opt to travel across Pofai Bay, exit the outrigger, say our goodbyes, and make our way back into Nūnu’e by taxi to catch the tender later. Ursula, I, and two others took the latter of the two options.

The dock to Bloody Mary’s

The dock serving Bloody Mary’s is a private one, as you can see from this sign:

Bloody Mary’s mooring

Bloody Mary’s was founded in 1979, and over the nearly forty years since it has gained quite the reputation.

Bloody Mary’s EST. 1979

Just how big an attraction is Bloody Mary’s? Let’s take a look at some of this establishment’s more famous clientele, including “Who are 3 people who’ve never been in my kitchen?“: