Blogs from French Polynesia, Oceania - page 14

Next stop…Fakarava…and don’t worry if you have never heard of that atoll before reading this blog…Rangiroa…Fakarava…these are the Louboutin and the Jimmy Choo of the diving world….and if you are lost here, it’s ok, since when divers know about beautiful stilettos! So 45 minutes little hop to Rangiroa, and here I am in Fakarava. This time staying at Marama pension, managed by Jacques. This place is a small world, I’ve been bumping in the same people over the last few days…that said…there are those in the know…and those who are not. Find out today that some people did get charged a huge premium on what I get charged….for diving…for lodging…who say we are all equal in this world…in the Tuamotus…here it’s all about…contacts...good level diving…and speak French…good luck fo... read more

Geo: -17.52, -149.56Friday was a rest day for us. After so much activity we needed a break especially as those famous shonky knees were rather bad. So I slept in and we spent the morning reading and updating the blog for me and ranking lists for Fletcher. At lunch time we ventured out to find sustenance and walked (or in Fletcher's case) limped to Les Trois Brasseurs, a micro-brewery and cafe just down the street a little.There we had a Tarte Flambe each and spent a pleasant hour or two watching the world go by and sampling the brew. We then walked to Avis and organised a car for tomorrow an one for Monday on Moorea.After an indolent afternoon we returned to La Villa for dinner. This time there were 21 of our group there and ... read more

Geo: -17.5327, -149.838Today the local organising committee had arranged for officials to have a day trip to Moorea, an island about 30 minutes by ferry from Tahiti. This is a volcanic island with majestic green peaks rising sharply skywards. We walked to the Ferry Terminal and departed at 9-15am. The ferry was a large one with comfortable seats and a capacity for vehicles as well. The trip over was fairly smooth and we had a quiche each for breakfast on board.On arrival there were two buses waiting for us and they took us first to a Viewpoint overlooking the Sofitel Resort. The sandy white beach was beautiful and the bures stood over the shallow water of the lagoon. Stunning. We then continued along the coast around two bays in which Cook had first anchored in 1777. ... read more

Geo: -17.52, -149.56 The third and final day of competition did not begin well. It had been announced last night that all officials were to be at the track at 8am. So I dutifully had the alarm on for 6-30 and reluctantly dragged myself down to catch the 7-30 bus. There were only four of us on it! Most of the others waited for the 8am one and then we also discovered that the first jumps event was not on until 11am. Fletcher had waited for the second bus too. Today I officiated on the Girl's U/18 Triple Jump, then the Decathlon Pole Vault and finally the Open Men's TJ. This was three in a row under very sunny skies and high humidity.However, today belonged to Fletcher.While we were overseas he had an email which informed ... read more

The last days on our last island we spoiled ourselves with a stay at one of the famous overwater bungalows. We had seen them on all the islands: built directly into the water on stilts, these bungalows promise the ultimate paradises experience. From the spacious room (or rooms, depending on the budget) you see the ocean and nothing but the ocean. Same from your sofa. And from the bed. And the bathroom. And from, well, you get the concept. In front of the bungalow you have your private sun deck and your own little pier to jump into the water whenever you like. If you're lucky you even have your own little part of the reef. On Bora Bora there were so many overwater bungalows that there was nothing romantic or special over it any more ... read more