Journals from the week ending October 25, 1996
Tropical Tahiti
10/20/96, aboard ship...I didn't find Tahiti to have the same effect on me as Easter Island and Pitcairn Island. Because Easter and Pitcairn are so secluded, they had their own cultures and the people were very friendly, especially on Pitcairn. When we had to leave those islands, I didn't want to; I wanted to stay to experience further the island's culture. However, when we left Tahiti, I found myself wanting to move on. Going to Tahiti was like revisiting Puerto Vallarta. It was large, urban, and designed for tourists. It was extremely expensive. I didn't find Tahiti itself to be as pretty as I had expected, but Moorea, a nearby island, was extremely beautiful. If I ever return to Tahiti, it will not be to experience the culture, but rather to enjoy the nice weather and beautiful beaches like the ones found on Moorea, and to visit Bora Bora. Overall, our excursions in Tahiti taught me how fortunate we were to visit Easter and Pitcairn Islands.
Fashionable and Affordable Footwear
by Josh Rogan
10/20/96, aboard ship...For two months now the Concordia and I have been traveling the South Pacific and exploring tropical islands. These warm, tropical paradises are no place for deck shoes, hiking boots or even just plain shoes. I'd rather leave all my shoes on the ship. For the occasional stop at a restaurant, it is quite nice to pull out of my rear pocket a pair of flip-flops. I bought a pair for three dollars at a small market in Tahiti. They have probably changed my life!
For two months I lived without these flip-flops. Now that I have them I am so surprised that it took me so long to get them. The South Pacific is no place to be without a pair of flip flops!!
Watch 5 Hits Tahiti!!
by Corrina Wong
10/20/96, aboard shipFor our second day in Tahiti, each watch group planned their own activities. Some groups were more organized than others but we all had a great time. My watch group and our leader, Ms Woomer, went on a day excursion to Moorea. Moorea is a beautiful island that is about twenty minutes from Tahiti. It is not as populated as Tahiti but is another paradise away from the loud city of Papeete.
We woke up bright and early that morning and took the ferry to the island of Moorea. We stopped off in a little town about thirty minutes from the ferry dock. About this time our stomachs were grumbling. We stopped at the supermarket, where we bought enough food for a picnic. With seven large baguettes and bags of food, we continued on to a white sandy beach where we had our picnics. Afterwards we swam among the coral reefs and snorkeled with the fish. We played in the water and sunbathed. Next, we decided to frolic down the white sandy beach. Before we knew it, we were at Club Med. There we cut open pineapples and reclined on sun chairs. Some of us slept under the hot sun while others played like small children in the warm turquoise water. Overall, our excursion was very relaxing. The island of Moorea has left a lasting impression in my mind.
Ocean Challenge / e-mail: ocean@oceanchallenge.com / Class Afloat '96-'97
(c) Copyright 1996, Ocean Challenge