South Pacific Cruise - 18 April-5 May
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A short water-taxi ride to this very small tropical island brought us to this small day-resort. We spent a few hours trying to keep sheltered from the sun under the scrub trees growing there.
Tahiti is sometimes called "The Queen of the Pacific". With lush green peaks reaching more than 7,300 feet, its scenery is dramatic. There is nothing more spectacular than a sunset over the ocean. This shot was taken about 45 minutes before the sun dipped below the horizon. Fortunately the clouds did a good job of covering the sun preventing complete burn-out.
This is a fairly crude version of the Polynesian outrigger canoe, a type of canoe featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. Smaller canoes often employ a single outrigger on the port side, while larger canoes may employ a single-outrigger, double-outrigger, or double-hull configuration. The outrigger float is called the ama in many Polynesian and Micronesian languages. The spars connecting the ama to the main hull (or the two hulls in a double-hull canoe) are called aka.
Opened in 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore.
This view of the Legend clearly shows the width of the bridge deck, noted in a previous photo. Passengers have access to the deck above the bridge, providing a good view of both sides of the ship.
Overwater bungalow suites are perched on stilts above the turquoise lagoon, beachfront villa estates stretch along a semi-private beach where guests enjoy views of the turquoise waters.
The outrigger float is called the ama in many Polynesian and Micronesian languages. The spars connecting the ama to the main hull (or the two hulls in a double-hull canoe) are called ʻiako in Hawaiian and kiato in Māori (with similar words in other Polynesian languages); in Micronesian languages, the term aka is used.
We enjoyed an 18 day cruise from Sydney Australia through the many French Polynesian Island, then on to Honolulu, Hawaii. Carnival Legend is a Spirit-class cruise ship. Along with the majority of her sisters, she is owned by Carnival Corporation, and operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
Following three sea-days after Noumea, I arose about 600am to view the Legend arrive in Port Denarau. Very few were up so the ship seemed empty. As was the case for the entire 18 days of the cruise; the seas were quite flat.
- the original inspiration for "Bali Hai". I love the way the tropical weather hugs this volcanic mountain range. with temperatures in the mid 30C and relative humidity near 100%, one feels like they are in a sauna.
The wake of the Carnival Legend appears to be leading like a path directly from the setting sun.
Around the island are many beautiful coves and lovely beaches.
This photo shows Circular Quay at night. A steady stream of small ferries depart and arrive here all day long taking foot passengers to various points in the many coves of Sydney Harbour.
This view down the length of the ship is looking aft. The view-point is from one of two where such a shot can be taken. It is located immediately above the bridge which extends beyond the width of the boat to give the captain a clear view as it comes along side.
This is a scene I've always wanted to photograph from my own private yacht after sailing the tropical south Pacific Polynesian islands. But alas, time got away from me so I've had to settle for this shot from the deck of a cruise ship.
I took this shot of a Tahitian family enjoying a picnic at Pt. Venus. Capt. James Cook observed the transit of the planet Venus in 1769 at Point Venus, Tahiti's northernmost extremity. The low, sandy peninsula covered with ironwood (casuarina) trees is about 2km (1 1/4 miles) from the main road. Captains Wallis, Cook, and Bligh landed here after anchoring their ships offshore, behind the reef in Matavai Bay. Cook made his observations of the transit of Venus across the sun in 1769 from a point between the black-sand beach and the meandering river that cuts the peninsula in two.
The capital of French Polynesia, an overseas country of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune (municipality) of Papeete is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, of which Papeete is the administrative capital.
The Sydney opera House is perhaps one of the best known buildings in the world. It is most certainly iconic of Sydney, if not Australia.
This is the larger of two swimming pools on the Legend. Early every morning the crew washes down the decks, puts out the deckchairs and prepares the pools for a days activities.
Tropical rain clouds shroud the mountains of Moorea. The average annual rainfall of 1,800 millimetres means few days go by without at least showers.
The cloud cover was wonderful, contributing to a beautiful beach scene. The beach was made up of small, smooth black stones ranging in size from about 3cm in diameter up to small boulders.
Outrigger Canoes on Storage Stilts
These canoes are stored on purpose-made supports intended to keep the boats from being damaged due to rough weather causing the boats to smash into the bottom or nearby rocks.
This view includes the Opera House, Circular Quay, and the Sydney CBD.
At anchor, the Legend stays in position whilst tenders ferry passengers to shore. Interestingly, you can see from the anchor chain that very little pressure is being put on the anchor. The ship uses two ABB Azipod engines with propellers that can turn independently of each other through 360 degrees. GPS controlled, the ship maintains its position and attitude automatically.