Still under sail this morning heading to the tiny island of Raroia. Not many permanent inhabitants here - it must be quite the event when a cruise ship stops for a day!
Thor Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki raft famously ran aground here while he was trying to prove that Polynesians could have sailed from South America. He set sail from the Peruvian port of Callao in April of 1947 on his raft made of balsa wood. Kon Tiki ran aground the following August 7th with it's six crew members on the forgotten atoll of Raroia in the middle of the Tuamotu Island group. They were welcomed in a traditional Polynesian tradition that will be recreated today for us.
The island's strategic position between Tahiti and the Marquesas made it a stopping place between the two archipelagos 1,600 km apart from each other. The Kon Tiki's story inspired all sailboat skippers of the world to someday stop in Raroia - including us today!
Land Ho! First sighting of Raroia. Long sail to get here.
At 8:00 the cruise director came on the loudspeaker to announce that the currents were too strong to allow the tenders to safely bring people to shore on Raroia. So, this was the first time the ship came to Raroia and perhaps will be the last. The ship fairly shortly after turned around and we are heading to Fakarava earlier than expected. 200 nautical miles away so another long day at sea. A bit disappointing but we’ll tough it out on the boat for another day.
You can see the other side of the atoll in the background.
Click on the image for a better look.
This is as close as we got to Raroia. Too bad we didn't get to go ashore. Although not much to do there it probably was really pristine.
Tender returning to ship with bad news......
You can see the other side of the atoll in the background.
Click on the image for a better look.
This is as close as we got to Raroia. Too bad we didn't get to go ashore. Although not much to do there it probably was really pristine.
Rich Rediker, Cary Claver and I teamed up for a trivia contest and finished in second place. Received 2 ships points coupons. At the end of the cruise you can turn your points in for some prizes.
Later Cary and I tried our hand at a putting contest. Looked pretty easy but you had to play the "roll" of the ship! We both won 4 coupons for our efforts.
Just back from watching the move Kon Tiki on the boat. Pretty cool to think that we were right there just off the edge of Raroia this morning! The movie about Thor Heyerdahl's exploits on a balsa wood raft going 5,000 miles to where we were is stunning.
The ladies were attending various seminars about sunburn and "body issues”. They also attended a yoga class which Connie said was “interesting” on a rolling ship. At the sunburn seminar Connie was told to put milk on a washcloth and apply it to the burned areas to pull out the heat. Reports later……….
Cary Claver at the "putting" contest. Hit a beanbag and win a prize.
Catching some rays.
Connie found a space in a bit of shade upstairs above the pool to read a bit. It was HOT - both the air and the water was 86 degrees at noon. I'm sure it got hotter later.
It’s about 5:00 and we have nothing planned until another 8:00 meal at Toscano. Trying to learn how to cut down on the food intake - not necessary to eat everything on the menu. Although you could if you wanted to.
Everyone did way better with their portions tonight at Toscano! I think we have learned the system. I still had a bit of a stomach problem last night though. Up a 3:00 - Hopefully it will be better in the morning when we get to Fakarava!
Everyone did way better with their portions tonight at Toscano! I think we have learned the system. I still had a bit of a stomach problem last night though. Up a 3:00 - Hopefully it will be better in the morning when we get to Fakarava!
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