Tia Moana - Superyacht Bora Bora Cruise and Le Taha'a Private Island Resort and Spa (Le Tahaa) Review Utuaroa

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2005 Date: 1/21/2005

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Breakfast in Uturoa - Raiatea	Newsletter For Friday
As we cruised and set anchor over breakfast, the tenders were launched for the days activities.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Arrival at Port in Raiatea

Pearl Farm	Pearl in the Oyster
The tender took us too a pearl farm operation where the workers showed us live oysters as they were processed.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Pearl Farm - Implanting Starter into Oyster

How Pearls are Made	Small Starters are Placed into Oyster
The oysters are grown on handing strands of nets and fiber for years before they are ready to make pearls. When they are about the size of 4-5 inches across, the oysters are pried open about 3/4 of an inch and set in a holder. A skilled worker then takes a starter, in this case a rounded oyster shell sphere, and inserts it into an area of the oyster that makes a coating around the irritant.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Statendam in Port

Pearl Selection	End Product
It then takes the oyster up to 18 months or more to finish the pearl, in this region more of a silvery black color. Only 2-3 percent of the pearls are of high quality (up to $1,000 or more). The rest are sold as seconds, thirds and pointed pearls, which can be purchased for between $10 to $300 each, depending on size, shape, luster and surface. Oysters are subject to predators such as fish, so they're kept in projected hanging nets in the water. They are also susceptible to algae, and they're regularly maintained by dipping in fresh water and scrubbing off the algae.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Statendam at Port in Raiatea

Lunch Cruise Around the Island	Port Activity
As with many other lunches and breakfasts, the ship was underway which allowed a fantastic moving scenery during dining.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Port Activity

Dockside at Raiatea	Sistership Tu Moana in Port
Tu Moana is docked in Raiatea and not in use.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Roll On Roll Off Container Ship

Hiking	Trek up Mountain
Afternoon hiking to tabletop mountain.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Statendam at Port in Raiatea

Afternoon Hike to Table Mountain	At the top of the Mountain
It took the better part of an hour to make it all the way up the mountain. Of course, the Captain jogged up to the peak in about 15 minutes.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Sunset View from Peak

Champagne View of Lagoon	Champagne View
Once at the top, the crew set up a bar, but only juice was wanted after a long hike.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Sunset View from Peak of Statendam

Hiking	Group Photo
We finally made it down from the 300 meter mountain and headed immediately for the Jacuzzi. With some bottled water, Tabu Beer and juice in hand, we watched the Moon from above as it cast it's beam over the darkened portside village of Uturoa. The ship left it's dockside perch for an anchorage just outside the port.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Polynesian Dancers Perform on Ship

Polynesian Dancers	Dancers
Polynesian drums and dancers performed on the ship on the Sun deck.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Polynesian Dancers

Dancers	Dancers
Polynesian drums and dancers performed on the ship on the Sun deck.
	Movie- 2005 Day 9 - Polynesian Drums

Dancers	Tahiti Pearls
Polynesian drums and dancers performed on the ship on the Sun deck.

Additional Photographs: Utuaroa