The 80s are alive and well in Moorea

I woke very late this morning due to closing the curtains in the room last night—black out curtains. The room was as dark as a tomb at 10AM. Oh well, what is vacation for?

I got dressed and went to the front desk and reserved another whale watch on a catamaran tomorrow morning at 8am. (note to self: set alarm and leave curtains partially open). I then hired a taxi—10 xpf round trip to the shopping area called Tiki Village. There were at least 6 pearl shops and several gift stores, a few restaurants and a small grocery store. It’s about 10 minutes from the hotel by car.

One thing to note: It’s HOT here. Despite the breeze and the fact that it is ‘winter’, the sun is brutal. I wouldn’t have even tried this walk knowing I would be coming back laden with water and some food for my room.

I had lunch in a one of the restaurants. I purchased a 4 cheese pizza and 2 Hinano beers. (the beer is cheaper than the water) The pizza was enormous and very, very good. Not the usual cheeses—this one had mozzarella, blue cheese, ricotta and some other kind I couldn’t identify). It was huge. I ate three of those slices and got a to-go box. This should be very good to eat cold. The bill was 2000. Much better than the hotel.

I went to the grocery store and spent about 4200 on groceries and wine. I got yogurt, salami, cheese, crackers, mixed nuts, pretzels, a few cans of tonic and soda, v8 and a very large bottle of water. I will pick up a baguette tomorrow morning at the little store across the road from the hotel. Breakfast and lunch for several days! The bottle of wine I got is a pink moscato. It was about 1300 xpf.. not sure what that will taste like but it is chilling in the mini fridge and I will find out later today! (And yes, I did pack a corkscrew!)

All the music I’ve heard in stores in restaurants is very 80s. I thought of my ex-husband when I heard that song called Hey Now, Hey Now, by Tears for Fears I think. (Inside joke for members of my family). I heard his voice singing that refrain with a PA Dutch accent. I also heard Boy George and Culture Club very frequently.

It’s about 2Pm here and I’m off to the pool and beach.  

Early evening now. Spent the afternoon lounging by one of the infinity pools. Happy Hour starts at 430 and really is just an hour. All ‘fancy’ mixed drinks are just 1000! They are regularly anywhere from 1800-2100!!! Even the beer is ridiculous and that isn’t on special. But I had two drinks and they bring a glass full of green and black olives drenched in olive oil, three large chunks of fresh coconut and some toothpicks. This is surrounded by 3 or 4 tiny croissant looking hard crackers of some sort. But hey, they were free and they were olives so I ate them!

I came back to the room around six and took a shower in the giant tub. I rate the shower about 7 out of 10. Not enough water pressure for me—but still does the job! Thankfully, I am only a teeny bit burned on my back, near the top. The sun is so strong here. Without the breeze that is moving the air all the time, I don’t think I could stand to be out in it for very long.

I haven’t yet made it to the ocean for a swim. I did however take a walk near the water close to sunset.

Oh and I did finally hear some sort of current music at the bar today: Happy by that Pharrel guy. I think that was last summer in the US! But most of the afternoon was 80s stuff with a little Polynesian music mixed in. I thought the music would be in French but I've not heard that. 

I'm just giddy with the internet speed here. I'd forgotten that it really doesn't take 20 minutes to upload 3 pictures!! I'll try and go back and add some videos at some point. 

I am excited to be going out on a catamaran tomorrow morning. I’ve never been on one! Cross your fingers that we see some humpback whales!

I will leave you with this:

 

1st Sea Day and the weather was MUCH improved

Day 7 – Sea Day

Feeling much recovered and rested after a solid 9 hours of sleep, I headed up to the breakfast buffet for coffee and the over easy egg I’ve been craving!

The Cruise Critic meet and greet was today in the Pacific Lounge at 11AM. We had a very nice crowd and 3 ship’s officers and the Head of the Customer Service aboard the ship attended. I hadn’t expected that but it was very nice!

We had the Maitre’D, the assistant Maitre’D, the head of the Bar services. And of course, I had to do a bit of public speaking—not my favorite thing. I called everyone to attention and then asked if anyone had questions. DEAD silence. As I hadn’t been expecting anyone, I quickly started babbling a question. And actually, once I got going, it was fine and then others started asking questions. All the Crew were just lovely and we learned a few things about where/how food is obtained and I did ask each of them how they got their start.

Side note: The bar manager is from Glasgow and very yummy looking. He manages to hide his accent. Had he spoken with the accent, I think I can honestly say more than one woman and maybe even one man, would have been all over him. LOL

The Meet and Greet itself was very good and was nice to finally put a face with names I’ve been seeing for almost a year. I really enjoyed it.

The rest of today was spent lounging in various areas of the ship reading and generally being lazy. Although I did attend Afternoon Tea at 4PM. I’ve never had a scone and wanted to try one. OMG what an event that was. Held in the main dining room, at open seating tables, it was a meal. First, they brought out tiny sandwiches—6 or 7 different varieties, then a plate of cookies with 5 or 6 different kinds, and if that wasn’t enough, then a tray of various desserts (which I did not try but which looked delicious). Then finally the scones served with raspberry jam and clotted cream. Magnificent! Brilliant! (Can you tell I’ve been around mostly Brits and Australians??) I would highly recommend attending if you have the chance.

More reading, more lounging and then I headed up to the Pacific Lounge for afternoon trivia. I ran into 2 of my favorite Australians, a nice couple I met on Sail away, and we teamed up. I’ve met up with them at various times around the ship and I really enjoy their company. Both have wonderful senses of humor and ‘we get’ each other. The only issue—I cannot remember their names if my life depended on it. I should have tried to get a look at their cards on the lanyards around their neck. Ughhh. I’ve met so many people in the past few days. I’m very terrible at this. I need to write the names down and see it a few times before I remember.

Tonight is the first formal night and the Anniversary Menu is being served. Not sure what I think of it, but I’ll report back later! As a side note, I’ve not been super impressed with the food. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly isn’t terrible but it hasn’t been anything to rave over either. I feel its typical cruise fare. The service is quite another thing. It has been impeccable. Our wait staff in the dining room is wonderful. We have Joseph and Rodney. Joseph is probably one of the best waiters I have ever encountered and his personality is what pushes him to the top. He will definitely be getting an additional tip from me.

The same can be said for my cabin steward, Georgeta Vasile, from Romania. She’s just come aboard beginning with this cruise after working in the Caribbean. She is another one that rates in the top of the cabin steward list. I’ve chatted with her several times on many different topics—intelligence and personality. Another crew member to get an additional tip!

And this is the first cruise where I feel I know the Maitre’D personally. I’ve watched him in the dining room. Each evening he moves around the dining room and chats with each table. He remembered who I was at the meet and greet stating that we’ve chatted several times at dinner and asked me if I was feeling better today (my stomach was upset last night and I just had some broth, a green apple and crackers—plus complimentary ginger ale arranged by my waiter!!!). This is what a Maitre’D should be. Not just waiting with his hand out for an additional tip.

All in all the service has been wonderful. Each crew member I’ve encountered has done everything they could to make sure I have what I want and need. I do believe Princess’ reputation is well deserved and most definitely a notch about the other cruise lines I’ve been on.

Ok, back----after dinner. The 50^th Anniversary Menu: I didn’t order the appetizer—some sort of duck pate with a mushroom soup. I got the shrimp cocktail instead. I did have the goat cheese, mixed greens and walnut salad and the Beef from the Anniversary Menu. Both were delicious. The beef was a filet mignon, with an onion tart and mixed steamed vegetables.

For dessert, I chose the chocolate raspberry dessert from the Anniversary menu. It was decadent. I could only eat about 1/3 of it. It was very, very rich.  Definitely try it if you have the chance.

For your viewing pleasure, a bit of food porn:

It’s almost 10PM here. We are in Rangiroa at 8AM tomorrow morning. I think I will read a bit and then get to sleep. I’d like to be up on deck at 630 for our arrival and the cruise through Taputa Pass—where there may be dolphins accompanying us!

This picture is from sail away. Sunset over Moorea:

Note to self: Must stop eating so much.... Cannot wear Spanx with my swimsuit.....