Our first trip in 2024 was supposed to be meaningful and memorable. It was French Polynesia, and the islands to visit were Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Fakarava, Rangiroa, Raiatea, and Nuku Hiva.
I can say that along the way we had many surprises, some good and some bad. Participants: my wife and I. School is in French, so, all locals know French. My wife and had a good time talking to them since we speak the language. |
Taking photos was necessary, and my Samsung A53 was excellent. All I needed was a Waterproof Phone Pouch to take pictures under water too. Well, the pouch I bought protects the phone but does not take pictures under water! No matter how many ways I tried, the water pressure on the screen was strong enough to ignore my finger pressing the picture button. |
The boat found shelter in a bay near Hiva OA island, with about 2000 inhabitants. We stayed there for two days. It was not an island with too many visitors, even if it had some tourist attractions.
Hiva OA was not on the cruise itinerary, but I immensely enjoyed the visit there. When the villagers saw the boat, they prepared the village for the unexpected visit. |
From where the tender left us, my wife and I wanted to go to the town on foot, about 3 km, around the bay. A local saw us and invited us in his car, then proudly presented his village. He was offended when I wanted to pay him. I made him happy, saying he has a big heart. We asked our new friend to drive us to the beach. |
We wanted to return to the boat with the bus. Mai-le, a volunteer travel agent, entered the bus and figured out that most tourists on the bus did not visit the market where local artists sold their art. Also, free fruits were waiting for us (paid for by the Oceania cruise line).
She said, “The artists prepared their work for nothing? And all the fruits waiting for you… It makes no sense. The bus will go to the market, not to the boat!” I liked her craziness; she was adorable. |
Eliade Moldovan
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In THESE LIVES, daily Cold War existence under the despotic dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu, is vividly documented. Drawn against a chaotic background of hardships, horrors, and hilarity, story after story depicts every imaginable aspect of that era: from cold, brutal murders and betrayal, to the abiding love between a husband and wife.
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