Touristing in Tahiti

Day two in Tahiti dawned bright but with the threat of rain. We had breakfast with Adrienne who was not planning to go ashore. Yesterday she had the included walking tour and in the evening the visit to the Hotel Continental for a dinner and Tahitian show. She talked a lot about the food butreally didn't say anything about the show. It must not have been very impressive. She did tip us off as to where the included tour went. Carol and I were just going to walk around on our own - tourists! We realized that we would probably cover all the main sites on our own. We set off with our Viking tote bags holding the necessary identification, vax card and a little money and a credit card, and rain gear. We did not take the Viking red umbrellas from our room. They are heavy golf-type umbrellas and also make handy walking sticks. Since our ship is not huge we are docked right where the town is. At the end of the pier a few women were offering tours. Our friends Nancy and Jim did hire a cab for a round the island drive and tols us that they really enjoyed it. If we can't get on the excursions we want upon our return we may consider this option. Especially if it is raining. Today Carol and I made our way to the Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame. The yellow and red facade is simply constructed. Inside the stained glass can be seen to not be leaded but more painted or actually stained. The dark wood pews were well worn. Some of the kneelers were missing. Several apparently homeless men and women were sleeping, mostly in a sort of kneeling posture. One or two just leant against the wall with their bundles at their feet. Several people were indeed there to pray. It must have been a feast day I wasn't aware of because there was Exposition of the Holy Eucharist. In this case someone will be on their knees praying throughout the 24 hour period. Back outside we were surrounded by roosters! Not a usual thing at home but definitely I have seen this before on islands. Chickens are important because they are cheap, food first eggs and then as main courses. If you need chickens you need roosters. Here if you can catch a wandering chicken you can go ahead and eat it. No one owns them. We stopped in a little shop for directions. We were right by the church but couldn't see the steeple. We passed this shop again and confirmed directions to the store Reef. Our catamaran girl, Diane, said this is where we could by her friends sunscreen. I bought the last one they had. It was a natural color not the bright blue or pink she also makes. On our way to the Market we ran into Dr. Sherry who was looking for a grocery store to buy some things for the crew. Crew is 100% confined to the ship. Viking is taking no chances for a crew viral outbreak. In the harbor across from us is docked the Paul Gauguin. 30 crew members are infected and the ship is quarentined. We have not been told if any passengers are aboard. Sherry and her husband are just very outgoing and fun to talk to. She stopped us a couple of times on the ship to chat so maybe we are fun and outgoing too! At the Market, which is not as large as many of the European ones we have visited, we briefly toured the first flooor. Lots of vegetables but we were too late to see all the exotic fish and meats etc. Since everything is fresh and the fish especially are from the morning catch, those things are gone by noon for sure. There were lots of booths with purses, jewelry, souvenir type stuff. Every vendor was selling vanilla beans! There were little restaurant places and sandwich shops. Some people love the Market experience. I am not a fan usually. Maybe because the fish and fishy smell was gone it was better. The tempting thing at the entrance were the tables of tropical flowers and flower arrangements. I would have bought one for our cabin but we were going to be walking around town for awhie and carrying a tray of Bird of Paradise, Antherium, and greens would be awkward! But the price was more than right. $20 would get you a beautiful arrangement about the size of a typical coffee table! We took the escalator up and visited the several shops that had tee shirts, magnets souvenirs. Carol bought a beautiful fabric which she is going to frame for her freshly painted condo and some magnets for her neighbors. Viking guides, there with their walking tours kept thinking we were part of them and tipping us off on the right shops and best deals. I guess having our Viking tote bags on our arms didn't hurt. Back out in the fresh air we made our way back to the shop of the friendly lady and I bought a little pill box. Basically just to support her for being so kind and helpful. To know prices on things you drop the last two zeros. So the enameled pill box was marked 1200CFU. Hence $12. Not cheap but not outrageous and it will bring back a nice memory and Lord knows - I have pills! When the credit card notice showed up on my phone it was actually $11.27. We walked back the few blocks to the harbor and wandered through the seaside park. Very pretty buildings, nice paths, pretty views of the sailboats. There were Tikies and statues and boys on skateboards. A lovely to end our personal walking tour. As the rain began to sprinkle we reached the gated dock and let the people with the clip boards know to take us off the list for the ship walking tour which was about to start. We got onboard just as the skies opened! So glad we had been able to be independant. We planned to go back out but by the time we finished lunch the deal was sealed and rain was continuous the rest of the day. We didn't miss much as all aboards was just three hours later. We were in our cabin for the Port Talk at five o'clock. We decided to watch from our cabin and were glad we did as it did not happen. Our itinerary is changing1 Bora Bora will not be until after two days of scenic South Pacific Cruiseing. Luckily it is not cancelled but only postponed. Swapped out with the scenic cruising days. Bora Bora had bad weather and although it it is not far the sea will be disturbed as it was in Tahiti. The Captain and Cruise Director are desparate to get people into the iconic South Pacific lagoons for snorkeling and swimming. Fingers crossed it will happen! P.S. While in one of the shops we encountered a Fa'afafine, Tahitian third sex. It is custom here to often designate the youngest son to grow up as a woman. They are not considered transexual but a "third sex." They do not have any surgical adjustment made. Sometimes this may be a boy chosen by the family to serve in this role because of his effeminant demeanor. It is a place of honor in the family. Women are very important and the Mutu is valued extra because they do all the nurturing tasks: gardening, cooking, cleaning, childcare, and taking care of the elderly parents. They are respected as women but their masculine strength adds to their feminine capabilities. If they have relaitions with a man it is not considered homosexual for either party. Mr. Goodness included this idea in one of his talks. Ask your Uncle Google if you want more information than I can remember offhand.