South Pacific
On this adventure, we selected to cruise through these beautiful
Polynesian islands on the m/s Paul Gauguin of the Radisson Cruise Lines.
As you can imagine, just the names of these islands alone conjure
up turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and exotic fruits and flowers.  

Before the cruise began, we leisured at the beautiful Le Meridien Resort in Bora Bora for a few days of beachside R & R.

Our large and more than comfortable bungalows were situated out over the water, providing a glass floor aquarium as round-the-clock entertainment.  
South Pacific
Bungalows at Sunset
South Pacific
Bora Bora's famous peak
With marvelous lagoons and crystal clear waters, Bora Bora is the oldest and most popular of the islands.

An extinct volcano that is slowing sinking into the sea, there's only one passage through the reef for large ships.
We enjoyed snorkeling among reef sharks and large stingrays ~ though the sharks kept their distance, the stingrays seemed to prefer the company as they swam through our legs and watched us with their quizzical eyes.
Face-off of Stingrays & Snorklers
Our cruise started from Tahiti to the island of  Raiatea, the religious center of worship for all of ancient Polynesia.

The temple remains of `Taputapuatea' was the home to the God Oro where natives from all over the South Pacific would come to worship.
Temple Taputapuatea
By tradition, all other island temples had to be built with a stone from `Taputapuatea'.

Captain Cook was the first European to discover the island in July 1769.  From Raiatea, Polynesians migrated to New Zealand, Hawaii, and the Easter Islands.
The infamous `Noni' plant

Produces foul smelling juice, even though it is the latest of the American medical wonders...
 
Torch Ginger

Better tasting...
Vanilla Bean

Even better flavoring!
Pearl Farm on Taha'a
On the island of Taha'a,  we visited a pearl farm where oysters produce the indigenous black pearl that is much sought after all over the world.
Black Pearls for Sale

Moorea was the last island that we visited on our cruise ~ the phrase “saving the best for last” really came to mean everything here.
Opunohu Bay & Bali Hai
Bali Hai, the famous backdrop in “South Pacific”.
Anchored in Opunohu Bay, we had a grand view of “Bali Hai” from the morning sunrise into the evening shadows.

Bounty Bay
Bounty Bay is another beautiful little bay made famous by the film, “Mutiny on the Bounty”.

Today, it all seems so peaceful as if its Hollywood fame is just a distant memory.
Moorea is famous for the pineapple plantations that take advantage of fertile valleys.

The delicious fruit that is produced may be smaller than its Hawaiian cousin, but its tender enough to eat its core.
Moorea's Pineapple Plantation
Island Driving
On our island drive, we found only happy faces and natural beauty ~ no tacky billboards here.
Sunset Polynesian Style

This island was a fitting end to our "bounty"-ful journey through paradise.

Let us know what you think of our South Pacific tour. . .