Traveling Tolins 2

The spellbinding volcanic island of Rarotonga is the sleepy capital of the Cook Islands.  Once a New Zealand colony, its needle-like rock, Te Rua Manga, pierces the sky from the island's center.  Surrounded by a lagoon, its dramatic slopes rise up to scenic agricultural highlands where terraced farming provides the Cooks with fresh vegetables and fruits.  White sandy beaches lined with palms surround Rarotonga, luring visitors and locals alike.  Because of the mountainous terrain, a roadway encircles the island, but vehicles cannot cross the island's center directly; inland routes can be traveled only by foot.  Several ancient marae, communal gathering places typical of Polynesian tribes, dot the landscape and enjoy spectacular seaside settings. We arrived about 7 AM and as we were preparing to head up to breakfast, an announcement came over the intercom that due to high swells, they were going to relocate the cruise ship from west side to north side of t...

Considered by many the world's most beautiful island, the Society Island of Bora Bora is only 4 miles by 2 1/2 miles.  This stunning land is made up of a barrier reef of motus, or islets, each one variously connected to the next depending on the tides.  Surrounded by a deep lagoon that glows countless shade of turquoise and emerald, its palm-lined shores and steep forested slopes rise up dramatically to the pillar-like peak of Mt. Otemanu at 2,379 feet.  American novelist James Michener put the island on many travelers' itineraries in the 1950s when he called it "the South Pacific at its unforgettable best."  Rugged mountain roads through lush landscapes lead to spellbinding cliff-side views.  This was the views outside our cabin door when we arrived early AM. Our cruise ship from our tender that took us to and from shore. Our first excursion of the day took us on a small boat ride and snorkeling adventure.  The water colors wer...

One of the world's most visually stunning and romantic destinations and the cultural hub of French Polynesia,  Tahiti is perhaps the archipelago's most famous island.  It's easy to imagine the astonishment of English captain Samuel Wallis when he came upon it in 1767, the first European to do so.  But he certainly was not the last, as the island's continental flavor will attest.  Here, swaying palms skirt dramatic mountains, striking a breathtaking pose in shimmering Pacific waters.  Admire the yellow facade and arched stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of Notre Dame and browse the fascination Paul Gauguin Museum, a rich collection of the work of the renowned impressionist artist created while living on the islands. We docked Monday evening around 5 PM, January 15.  We were greeted with lush green vegetation in the small city of Papeete, the port town of the island of Tahiti. We had the morning free before we started an afternoon...