"The Garden Island"

Today is our last day of our beautiful French Polynesia cruise.  We are sad to see it end, but our last stop is the island of Huahine, one of Polynesia's best-kept secrets and the most picturesque of all the islands.  There are rugged mountains and lush forests with small villages dotted around.  It is definitely undeveloped and undiscovered.  Our ship cruised into the bay between the two islands that comprise Huahine. Once anchored, the tenders went into operation.

 

 Views from our balcony.

 

 

  

  

Our excursion today was a tour of the island in a 4X4 truck.

 

 

We stopped at a small garden for an orientation of our tour and then we walked across the bridge that connects the two islands.  The main island (big island) is known as Huahine-Nui and the smaller island is known as Huahine-Iti. These two make up Huahine, which is known as "The Garden Island".

Our local tour guide was very informative and happy to tell us all about her island and its culture.

 

Our next stop was a pearl farm in which we needed to take a little boat ride out into the lagoon as the farm was in the middle of the lagoon. 

 

 

Arriving at the pearl farm.

 

We were taught how they 'seed' the oysters to grow the pearls.  It was very interesting.  We were then given the chance to of course, buy some pearls.  Bill happened to leave his wallet back in our 4x4!



Our next stop was at a very large vanilla farm.  It was beautiful to get out of the trucks and immediately smell vanilla.  These vines are packed at their base with coconut shells that act like mulch for the plants.

The green beans which are about ready for harvest.



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Vanilla beans drying in the sun.

A lovely Polynesian scene as we continue our drive around the island.

Another stop was the museum of Huahine, surrounded by sacred marae where rituals took place along with human sacrifices over a hundred years ago.

A large Marae.  This island has more maraes than any of the Polynesian islands.  We have seen several on the other islands we have visited.

Views as we drive around the island.



 

An ancient fish trap in a lake where the locals catch fish very easily.

 

 

 The scenery along the roads were always lush and truly gorgeous.

 

After our tour, we returned to the Oceania Marina - our last stop before returning to Tahiti tomorrow.

After a refreshing swim and lunch, we relaxed in the lounge as we are avoiding packing up to leave.  Soon late afternoon tea was served.  Too many yummy things being offered.

 

Karen enjoying her tea.

Bill getting started on the blog while having tea.

 

 

Not a bad neighborhood, not bad at all!!!

 

 

Karen saying good-bye to the lush green tropical foliage, and wild-jungle like scenery, as we sail to Tahiti.

We hate to say good by to the Oceana Marina and French Polynesia, but keep checking out the blog because we have two more days on the island of Tahiti, so more to come.