DoctorSmudge

Leah,

 

I hope I got you in time. I am actually DoctorSmudge's husband who did the video. It was all done with an iPhone and iMovie.

 

No sugar or candy for gifts. The good doctor got little toy telescopes and other stuff like that to give to the kids, and they loved them.

Actually a lot of the still pics came from a little camera. All the video except for one came from the iPhone, and it is much better than the video from the camera.

Hi All & a Warm welcome back to Jim!:)

 

Can't beleive how time is creeping up on us - just 9 weeks to go until our Aranui 3 Voyage! Jim - you made me laugh about the discomfort of lack of access to news updates during your trip - I can identify with that - I am a news junkie. Guess your answer to who is still our president was answered.:rolleyes: NOvemerber 2012 will tell...

 

Anyway - so Jim, have you posted a detailed review anywhere yet, photos ?

 

So question to those who have already experienced Aranui:

1. Would you do it again ?
   
2. Did anyone do the add on package for trolling fishing while on board and if so how'd that go?
   

 

I ask because we did Galapagos a few years ago in the month of December and I'd do Galapagos again to discover the differences in the wild life and fauna that different seasons bring.

 

PS Shall I check Cabin "G" for left over Scotch ? :D

Thank you!

 

Stay in touch!

Leah & the Doc

Our friend Larry did the fishing and caught a 25 lb tuna! The kitchen folks cut it up for sushi for us.

DoctorSmudge and her husband Nate would definitely do it again!

doctor smudge - TY so much for that wonderful video. Isee you did on it a Mac it seems. What kind of camera did you use for your video clips? Trying to keep our luggae to aminimum - trying carry-ons only beleive itor not - did 2 week cruise to the Mediterraen with carryone only. Did you bring your iphone or ipad?

1. Wondering whether we'll need to take the Sony handycam or use the limited time video function on the Canon D10 underwater/land digital - opinions?
   
2. Ideas/ suggestions on gifts to bring the kids? Thinking something fun, educational yet practical? Like maybe cartoon kids toothbrushes v. educational hand held games, sugarless gum , defintely not candy!
   

In advance thank you all for your suggestions.:)

Leah

Leah,

I hope I got you in time. I am actually DoctorSmudge's husband who did the video. It was all done with an iPhone and iMovie.

No sugar or candy for gifts. The good doctor got little toy telescopes and other stuff like that to give to the kids, and they loved them.

Here is a link to our video, QuickTime is required:

http://gallery.mac.com/nateg#100336/aranui-20movie&bgcolor=black

Cap MCD -

Bastille Day, unlike the Catholic Feast Days, will be full tilt, I expect! They usually have parades, outrigger races, dance competitions, etc. So that will be a fun day in Papeete. I envy you!

Here is a link to a video clip of our trip's Polynesian Night extravaganza.

I'd encourage you to take the dance lessons and/or ukulele lessons, even if you don't think of yourself as a joiner. Everyone who participated had great fun, especially the guys. I even bought myself a 12 string ukulele on Ua Huka...

All of the Roulottes have about the same menu - variations on Chinese food, grilled meat and fish, and poisson cru. We randomly picked Chez Marie and were happy. Also, there are a number of Crepe wagons there. No alcoholic bevs served so BYOB I guess.

At Hotel Tahiti Nui, ask for a room on the quiet side rather than the street side. If your room's not ready when you arrive in the am, they will let you go up to lounge around the pool. The pool area has bathrooms complete with showers, if you need refreshing.

See if you can make contact with others who might be interested in a day trip to Moorea - maybe you can split a car rental and driving duties. Maybe through role call?

Also, if you will be there on August 15th, it's a Catholic feast day, Feast of the Assumption. You'll probably be on some island, but be aware that they take their Catholic holy days seriously in French Polynesia. We were in Papeete on Ascension Thursday and everything was closed. Including restaurants.

Hi, Jim.

When you go over to Moorea, be sure to take the Aremiti V fast ferry. We walked from the Tahiti Nui. In the ferry boarding area at the Papeete waterfront, there are brochures (and a guy passing them out) promoting various tours on Moorea. There's nothing much within walking distance. We rented a car and did the Island Circle Tour. They have buses and Le Truck, but I'm not sure where they may take you.

Our favorite Roulotte was "Chez Marie".

There are a ton of stores around the Hotel Tahiti Nui, and the gas station right next door has all kinds of stuff, including croissants. There is a large marketplace within a couple of blocks where you can get all sorts of things.

There is wine with every meal (except breakfast!) on the ship. Hinano beer costs about $4 at the bar. Most people who brought stuff brought whiskey, vodka and gin, etc. The ship's policy is that outside liquor must be used in your cabin and not brought into the common areas (at least not obviously).

If you have time in Papeete, be sure to walk along the shorefront park - it's a beautiful public space.

I wish I were getting ready to go again!

Two Aussie ladies were in the dorm and had a great time. Remember, you're only in your sleeping quarters a very small amount of time! All the fun is to be had in the other areas.

I always bring earplugs with me anywhere I go so I can tune out and go to sleep in any situation.

Some things I was happy to have packed:

Camping Clothesline - hung it in the bathroom for extra drying space for bathing suits, etc.

Pack Towel - it was a lot easier to stuff in my backpack for shore trips than the big fluffy pool towel

Swim Shoes - most beaches on lava islands are rocky; stonefish and sea urchins have spines. My rubber soled swim boots were great. All the big burly crew members wear those plastic fisherman sandals that we used to call "jellies'. :) They sell them in the Boutique on board.

Soap Powder - I packed 1/3 cup portions of laundry soap powder in individual zip lock bags so I wouldn't have to buy it on board.

First Aid Kit - Luckily, I didn't need half of this: Bonine, Imodium, Cipro, Bismuth tablets, antibiotic ointement, Benadryl,ace wrap, bandaids, DEET, Skin-So-Soft (for no-no protection). There's a doctor on board for emergencies; he was surprisingly busy.

iPad - don't scoff - I was able to bring 10 books with me this way! Be sure to read Typee by Herman Melville; still the best guide book for the Marquesas, according to Frommer's...

Stuff for kids - I brought small toy telescopes, spinning tops, and kaleidoscopes I got at a party store to pass out to little kids on the islands. Others brought stickers, pencils, etc. Please don't bring candy. They don't have doctors or dentists on the small islands.

even more later...

Hello fellow travelers!

My husband and I have just returned from the June 4 -17 sailing of the Aranui 3, and what a wonderful time we had.

We started the trip with a stay in Papeete at the Hotel Tahiti Nui, which was lovely. We did one overnight on the island of Moorea at the Club Bali Hai, which was also great fun. We went by "fast ferry", the Aremiti 5, from Tahiti to Moorea. Did driving tours of both Moorea and Tahiti before setting sail. Had Friday night dinners at "les roulottes" on the waterfront in Papeete bookending our cruise.

We had a deluxe cabin which was quite spacious - a closet with hangers, a small chest of drawers, drawers in the bedside tables, two small drawers in another cabinet, a small fridge, a couch, table and chair, two mirrors, lighting for reading in bed. We were able to unpack our medium-sized soft-sided suitcases and stow them under the bed and couch. French doors opened up to a railing, and there was a large window. No balcony, but we wanted to socialize on deck with everyone else rather than stay in our cabin anyhow. The suites do have balconies.

The bathroom had a tub and shower, and a retractable clothesline. I understand the standard cabins have showers and no tub, and twin beds. People we met in standard cabins and dormitory spots were happy - no complaints that we heard.

Laundry was done by the ship 3 times during the cruise - no underwear or socks. There is also a self serve laundromat on board so you can do your own washing. You need Euros to use the coin-operated machines. You can get them in the Boutique. Bathroom towels and washcloths are changed every other day or so. Large blue pool towels are also provided.

We had no problems with sea-sickness. This was my first cruise, and I feel like the sea was relatively calm (but what do I know!). We brought Bonine but didn't need it.

The food was wonderful. The chef was obviously french trained. Breakfast was buffet-style, while lunch and dinner were served at table. Our trip had 164 passengers, so only one seating was required. Some vegetarians we met were very happy with their meals. They did eat fish; I'm not sure how a vegan might fare. Tables were for between 4 and 20; we dined with different people almost every night to meet new folks. Some people preferred to dine with the same friends.

Passengers were largely French and Australian on our cruise, with a smattering of Germans and Americans. Briefings and ship-board announcements by the crew on expeditions, etc. were given in at least 3 languages.

More later...