Rangiroa, French Polynesia

It was another hot but beautiful day in the Polynesian islands. We arrived around 7 a.m. and were off the ship by around 8:30 a.m. Rangiroa (“huge sky”}  is the old Paumotu name of the Rangiroa’s atoll. An atoll is a body of water separated from a large body of water by a natural barrier (I had to look that up). 

 

Rangiroa means "huge sky"

We did ride the tender over to the island today – it was just too gorgeous not to! I’m so thankful, though, that we didn’t have an excursion planned. We walked around for a bit under umbrellas (the sun is brutal!) but didn’t stay too long. There were the usual arts and craft booths set up for cruise visitors and of course different excursions offered, mostly to do with snorkeling and water-related sports and one to a local black pearl factory. 

 

bridge from tender to shore

Oceania's Vista - our home away from home

We were greeted by male and female hula dancers along with a drummer. I managed to snap a few pictures as we passed by. After my one hula lesson, I've developed a greater appreciation for their artistry.

 

Rangiroa is the largest atoll of French Polynesia and the second largest in the world. The inhabitants of Rangiroa live in 2 main villages - Avatoru and Tiputa, 2 islets separated by a pass. The rest of the atoll is almost uninhabited except for coconut plantations where the coprah is cultivated. (I had to look that one up too.) Coprah is “the dried, white flesh or kernel of the coconut, produced by sun-drying or smoking. It is primarily processed to extract coconut oil and is a valuable agricultural commodity used in making soaps, detergents, shampoos, and margarine. The byproduct, copra cake, is used as livestock feed.” I think it’s cool how all the parts are used, and even the shells are used in craft making.

 

jewelry made using black pearls

  

Although it was only 82 degrees, the humidity was high, making it feel much hotter. Oceania really looks after us by offering wet towels from an ice chest and ice cold water as we straggle back to the tender.

 

 

 

 

I think I may have relapsed from my crud, maybe from overdoing it the day before yesterday? My cough has returned and I’m not feeling well. Unfortunately we have excursions booked (and pre-paid) for the next 2 days, so I will drag myself out unless there is just no way.

Here’s a link on Rangiroa if interested. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangiroa As always, thanks for following along.

 

PS This afternoon there was an "code mike" announcement over the ship's loud speaker. We all know this is not good when this happens, or at least know that someone's health is in serious jeopardy. Never do we expect it to be someone we know. However, a couple from Ft. Worth that we met on our 2023 ATW cruise is once again sailing with us. They had an excursion to go snorkeling this afternoon. Apparently she collapsed and died from a heart attack while snorkeling. He will be flying home with her body the day after tomorrow. I won't mention his name, but please pray for him. Of course he is still in shock.