“the Big One”! World Cruise on Sojourn

[shark b8]

We were all invited to dinner and a show at the Intercontinental Papeete.  A nice buffet and Tahitian dance/song show, as the sun set.  

 

[shark b8]

1 hour ago, tv24 said:

323 on board.  Are they limiting capacity, or just not a sold-out crossing?  Or a combination?

 

Can’t speak with any authority but I assume there was no limitation on capacity.  In our last few cruises, all were well aware of the “deck 5, port side” suites as the leper colo….oops, I mean the “COVID quarantine” suites. We’ve walked most all decks and see no evidence of that, so my guess is….the 323 number is just, what it is. 

Edited February 8, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

So, we’re sailing away from Tahiti, to make the short overnight trek to Bora Bora.  While French Polynesia is beautiful most everywhere you look, everything I’ve read and seen suggests Bora Bora is its crown jewel, just something that’s almost too pretty to be real.  We’re hoping the good weather holds, for picture-taking and for snorkeling possibilities.  

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

Even allowing for 2-dimensional representations of a 3-dimensional world, he immensity of the Pacific is amazing.  Virtually half the planet.

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

‘night, all.

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

9 hours ago, shark b8 said:

….everything I’ve read and seen suggests Bora Bora is its crown jewel, just something that’s almost too pretty to be real. 

Those who have visited before….yes or no?

[DTtravelers]

Hi Shark b8.

 

Jewel!!!

 

We got two days there back in 2015.  If you are one to snorkel, don't miss the sting rays and black tipped reef sharks, followed by a trip to see the blue-lipped clams.  If you are not one to snorkel, this is the place to learn.  We had the requisite mud-bath, with local brew, of course, fantastic luau, and you would be completely remiss if you did not go to Bloody Mary's.  Second day, another luau, more snorkeling, pearls, and they hauled the grand piano out to the pool deck at night and we were treated to a Carpenters themed concert in the moonlight.  All magical.

[goaliedad30]

Here's the sunset from last night's special event at the Intercontinental Resort

[BasandSyb]

On 2/8/2023 at 7:27 AM, goaliedad30 said:

Sunset last night over the harbor. The ship moored next to us is a large private vessel, oddly enough named "Arctic" ... He seems lost! 😎

The Arctic P is generally based there. Owned by Gretel Packer it was formerly an icebreaker before being turned into a luxury yacht. You can usually glimpse the indoor swimming pool and fabulous toys in the hold if the crew are there working… a different life, but available but available for charter $$. Last time we were in Papeete Spielberg‘s yacht was there with the Hanks family on board next to our ship the Paul Gauguin. Always something interesting to see in French Polynesia in addition to the beautiful islands, water and people. 
Very much enjoying your posts. Thanks for taking the time.

[shark b8]

Yep, Bora Bora lives up to the hype, methinks.  Almost entirely encircled by the reef, which surely helps keep the water calm and clear.  

 

[shark b8]

[shark b8]

We took a morning lagoon cruise - they utilize nice new Bayliners, holding only 3 couples per.  We zoomed around and stopped a couple of times, snorkeled & saw loads of the spotted eagle rays and blue lipped clams that DTtravelers mentioned.  The Seabourn description for the shore excursion said “you will swim in perhaps the clearest water you’ve ever experienced”.  I’ve been lucky enough to log 250+ dives all over the world, and I have to say….they’re not wrong.  Or not by much.  The following are not my photos of course, I didn't bring u/w photography equipment…they’re cherry-picked from the internet (and quite possibly photoshopped a little to exaggerate) but at least they give you a general idea of the abundance of aquatic life and the clarity of the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

I did catch a brief moment of a spotted eagle ray.

 

 

[shark b8]

There were two Bayliners that went out, here’s the other one, with the Mother Ship.

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Many of the leading hotel chains (Four Seasons, St Regis, Hilton etc) have these kinds of properties - individual units built over the water.

 

[shark b8]

Ok, we have to say goodbye to Bora Bora.  It’s magnificent.

 

And we happen to have Keller Grill reservations tonight so…..this is a good day.

 

 

[LouChamp]

On 2/8/2023 at 2:51 AM, shark b8 said:

We were all invited to dinner and a show at the Intercontinental Papeete.  A nice buffet and Tahitian dance/song show, as the sun set.  

 

Aloha. Sounds like you are having a great time my Ohana.  We have been blessed to have stayed at the Intercontinental in the overwater bungalow. A most enjoyable stay.  Enjoy. 

[Fletcher]

8 hours ago, shark b8 said:

Many of the leading hotel chains (Four Seasons, St Regis, Hilton etc) have these kinds of properties - individual units built over the water.

 

Yes, indeed and so sad.  As soon as they started to build these honeymoon factories on the motus Bora Bora lost all its magic for me. 

[Mauzac]

I'm so enjoying these pictures having just done the Grand Pacific voyage and visiting these ports.  😊

[skybluewaters]

On 2/7/2023 at 11:51 PM, shark b8 said:

We were all invited to dinner and a show at the Intercontinental Papeete.  A nice buffet and Tahitian dance/song show, as the sun set. 

 

Was this done because you are on a world cruise, or does Seabourn sometimes do this when in Papeete?  And thank you for your interesting comments and pictures!

[florisdekort]

46 minutes ago, skybluewaters said:

 

Was this done because you are on a world cruise, or does Seabourn sometimes do this when in Papeete?  And thank you for your interesting comments and pictures!

Only passengers booked on the full world cruise were invited to this event. 
 

[shark b8]

In Huahine-Iti today.  When you wake up and draw back the curtains first thing in the morning….there are worse things to see.

 

[shark b8]

We go by catamaran to a nearby motu, for snorkeling and a picnic lunch.  The snorkel area is only 3-4 deep everywhere, which made me wonder about the marine life we would see.  Pleasantly surprised - there were far more soft corals here than yesterday in Bora Bora.  And the shallowness provided a bit of challenge…..on the one hand, there was the worry of excessively bumping into the coral, with its close proximity.  On the other hand, the water was virtually still, no surge so the “bumping” problem really wasn’t an issue.  On the other-other hand, no fins were provided, presumably to avoid excessive contact with the coral reef.  On the other-other-other hand….with the shallowness everywhere, it was pretty easy to just reach down and gently propel along, with fingertip pushes off the sandy floor.

 

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

Just before we jumped in, this little fella tried to climb onto my foot.

 

[lincslady]

Lovely to see and read about your adventures,  shark b8.  Looks like paradise; soak up every minute while we mortals imagine it.  And to be on Seabourn s well!