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Le Truck
Boarded this lovely truck to take us to the vanilla farm.It rained today in Raiatea. Oh you’ve read that line before? Thankfully it was intermittent and we were able to enjoy all our activities more or less.
Once we were all seated in the small outrigger, we were on our way across a lagoon to a vanilla farm and its basic operation and it is pretty basic. Pollinate by hand, pick them, wash, heat in the sun, wrap them up inside to get them to evaporate the water, and massage. Is it any wonder vanilla is so expensive.
Off to a pearl farm where we had a pretty quick demonstration of how the oyster is grafted to create a larger pearl. Then inside to see the finished product and make sales. No sale here.
Finally we get to go snorkeling. The captain throws out some kind of bait and soon the sharks are circling - no kidding and they aren’t small. The stingrays came around too and were huge. I skipped this session and just watched from the boat along with several others.
Next stop a coral garden. We all jumped in at this site although there was a pretty strong current and captain didn’t have any
Vanilla Beans
This was all the harvest we saw... life jackets on his boat. A friend (Bob) loaned me his as I was nervous about the current and rightly so. The captain said he would meet us down current to pick us up. We all made it but not without trepidation. Back in the boat rum punch and beer were passed around - no more grumbling.
It got to be 4 o’clock and we figured no lunch although that was the promise given and we cruisers don’t like missing meals. The captain docked at a beautiful island and lo and behold, there was our feast waiting, coconut bread, pumpkin poi, poisson cru (raw fish salad), and a vegetable spaghetti salad. It was delicious.
As we walked along the beach after our meal, we heard a conch horn and saw that a wedding ceremony was about to take place. Took some photos - looked quite romantic and was taking place at one of the resorts with the rooms built above the water.
Great first day in French Polynesia - looking forward to some more snorkeling tomorrow.
Addendum:
Just have to add this so we never forget. Jerry has had a problem with his front dental
View From the Vanilla Farm
Tub on the right is to wash the vanilla beans bridge which keeps falling out! We checked with the doctor, we checked the gift shop, we tried the store here in Raiatea, no dental glue. Our friend Bob gave up his chewing gum and that has helped a bit but he really can’t eat anything that needs any chewing. Keeping our fingers crossed that we will find some soon. Not sharing a table until we do as those choppers could land in his soup! Memories…
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Maria Brown
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fun day on an outrigger
Now this is the part of your trip that I am truly Jealous of....it just looks so beautiful. I hope Jerry will find his glue soon! can't wait to see the photo's from Bora Bora. I can't believe they wanted you to snorkel with sharks! Enjoy the Snorkeling I wish i was there with you.......