6andy6 Posted May 14, 2013 #51 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Yes, even though the official language is french in Noumea, it is still very easy to get around, they do have someone who can speak english in the information centre. :D New Caledonia is a french overseas territory for those that don't know..in the same way as Tahiti is with a big european (french) population (Noumea is the capital). About 3 hours from Australia and between Australia and Fiji. Still have vivid memories of visiting several years ago and watching a squad of uber fit French Foreign legion (or their equivilant of marines) training along the beach carry heavy napsacks running through the sand. I'm sure some of the girls would have loved it...they were topless. :rolleyes::p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PagodaPug Posted May 14, 2013 #52 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Fantastic photos!! You really caught the beauty of Sydney and the Solstice in your photos!! Thanks for sharing!! Bill & Lydia (pagoda pug) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyKnits Posted May 14, 2013 #53 Share Posted May 14, 2013 I didn't want to post too much of the Solstice shots but since you guys liked them...here are some more :-) I think you can post as many more of the Solstice or the ports you stopped in and we will all gladly view them. :) Stunning photos - I wish I had half as much skill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upwarduk Posted May 14, 2013 #54 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Looking forward to more wonderful photos, especially of Hawaii, where we were last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozfoz Posted May 14, 2013 #55 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Thank you for sharing your pictures. Could you tell me the cabin category in your picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #56 Share Posted May 14, 2013 After Noumea we had 5 sea days. With so many days between ports we were so ready to get off. Since we like to be on our own time and schedule, we opted for a rental car in Papeete. I hate to be on a tour specially when I like to take my time in each location for a photo op. We rented a car through Avis. They have a shuttle to take you to their downtown Papeete office. But since we were off the ship early we didn't see any shuttle. The office was only 5-10 mins walk from the ship so it's not too bad. The rate for a 24hrs rental was $120 for automatic Ford Fiesta (they only rented 24hrs minimum in Papeete). If you plan to rent a car please book and reserve in advance. They get completely booked and you won't be able to get anything once you are there. We drove around the island and returned the car right before the Avis downtown Papeete office closed (6pm). The ship didn't leave until midnight so we could have returned the car later at the airport. But we would then have to pay for the airport drop off fee and a taxi ride back to the ship. I'd say the most beautiful part of the island was the south eastern part where the Vairao beach is. Don't miss that. Here are some of the pics from Papeete. Enjoy! Arriving at Papeete - tug boat welcoming/leading with the water spray Moorea, our next port, in the background not so far away Papeete port Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #57 Share Posted May 14, 2013 LightHouse Black Sand Beach at Point Venus Point Venus Lookout - looking at the north shore line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #58 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Driving along the coastline Our little rental car - roosters running around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #59 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Beautiful Coastline with Black Sand Beach Arriving at the 3 Cascades Waterfalls After an easy 5 mins hike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #60 Share Posted May 14, 2013 The beach right by the blowhole (wife, in pink top, waiting patiently while I kept running off and taking picture) Damaged road next to the Blowhole Blowhole - it's actually pretty loud here when the wave pushed out/up the trapped air inside the rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #61 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Drove up the hill for a good 30-40 mins in a rough road and rental car for this lookout view of Tahiti Island (suggested by tourist office). Not worth it actually. Probably look nicer in the morning with the sun in the back (instead of directly overhead). Vairao Beach area - I highly recommend to come to this part of the island Calm and clear water Scenic along the route Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #62 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Back to Papeete after returning the rental car Back on the ship - Papeete at night Moorea in the background Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 14, 2013 #63 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Just lovely.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamanrp Posted May 14, 2013 Author #64 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Again, thanks everyone for all the compliments. It's much easier to take nice picture when the places or scenery are already beautiful. Thank you for sharing your pictures. Could you tell me the cabin category in your picture? We stayed in the Aqua class room (thanks to the military discount) but I believe all the balcony rooms would look like that except for some the sofa might be by the balcony instead. I think you can post as many more of the Solstice or the ports you stopped in and we will all gladly view them. :) Thanks TobyKnits. I just didn't want to make you all tired of the pics of Solstice where you have been on or seen it already :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cazzi Posted May 15, 2013 #65 Share Posted May 15, 2013 What a beautiful review. I just love the pic that you have taken. I need to put this on my bucket list!!!! Can't wait for more ! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted May 15, 2013 #66 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Certainly think those pics look impressive. Don't think my camera can do that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylight Posted May 15, 2013 #67 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Great Photos. I loved my 2 Solstice cruises and going on Reflection in 12 days hope she is as good as the Solstice. I love all the Sydney Photos they remind me what a beautiful harbour we have. :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannandjohn Posted May 15, 2013 #68 Share Posted May 15, 2013 It was because of thamanrp's pics, that made us book our cruise on the Solstice for next yrs transpacific..after we saw his pics we booked it an hr later.. Celebrity should have you as their PR..;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 15, 2013 #69 Share Posted May 15, 2013 It was because of thamanrp's pics, that made us book our cruise on the Solstice for next yrs transpacific..after we saw his pics we booked it an hr later..Celebrity should have you as their PR..;) Yes, just send the commission to .....:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovedecruise Posted May 15, 2013 #70 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos. They are amazing!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chamima Posted May 15, 2013 #71 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Again, thanks everyone for all the compliments. It's much easier to take nice picture when the places or scenery are already beautiful. We stayed in the Aqua class room (thanks to the military discount) but I believe all the balcony rooms would look like that except for some the sofa might be by the balcony instead. Thanks TobyKnits. I just didn't want to make you all tired of the pics of Solstice where you have been on or seen it already :-) Don't worry - I don't think any of us who have cruised on her ever tire of pictures of the beautiful Solstice. Since you say you were in Aqua I have to ask if any of the fabulous staff we had in Blu in February were still there? Specifically, Marian (asst. Maitre D'), Ketut (waiter), Anita & Rajeev (asst. waiters) and Sanjay (wine steward). We've been on many cruises and this group definitely stand out as the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jade13 Posted May 15, 2013 #72 Share Posted May 15, 2013 I'm probably in the minority, but cutting down on the saturation/vibrancy in Lightroom/Photoshop of the pictures would make them more professional looking. That is your comment? I thank the OP for posting the photos. These days most cameras take pretty good quality pictures (still need a great photographer with a good eye) without having to rely on photoshop to adjust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jade13 Posted May 15, 2013 #73 Share Posted May 15, 2013 What type of camera did you use, and were the panoramic photographs shot in the camera or put together afterwards using software? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenna109 Posted May 15, 2013 #74 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Thank you for the wonderful photos. We will be on the Solstice transpacific cruise in October and so particularly interested. I know you hired a car in Papeete but did you notice if there were tours to join/taxis to hire near the docks? It is very difficult to find any tours to book privately. Looking forward to seeing more photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbri Posted May 15, 2013 #75 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Beautiful photos - Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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