Tahitianbigkahuna

Another of the same hummer ... Sony RZ10IV 600MM equivalent, 1/500, F4.5, ISO-320 Basic Lightroom edit.

I purchased one years ago ... was a bit slow IMO if you wanted to keep your ISO low ... was fun for a season ... then I sold it for something much better.

I have several editing programs but 95% of my editing which is basic is done in Lightroom. I'm a fanatic about people over editing ... easy to spot by anyone in the know. Only rarely do I open Photoshop ...

Got to be careful .... magnifying mask will make the sharks look larger and their teeth closer 😂

As a pro photog I wrestled with this for years ... gone now are the days of 20 pounds of photography/video equipment. I also will be on the Flora in August of next year enjoying the Galapagos. I will bring my iPhone SE3, GoPro 10 and a very capable bridge camera does does everything well ... Sony RX10IV. I leave my Sony 7IV's and Zeiss glass at home ... bringing a $5000 camera/lens combo isn't good idea IMO. The Sony RX10IV is one heck of a crop sensor camera .... 24-600mm equivalent zoom at a constant F4. Takes wonderful video as well.

Isn't it nice that deck 3 port hole cruisers can have equal footing with those in the owners suite. I find it refreshing ...

Good morning from the garden ... love capturing hummers in their natural habit.

Depends on how full the ship is .... If it is pretty full they could require ... This has been the case about 1/2 the time over the last few years on our cruises. Ship excursions get priority if the ship is pretty full.

A little dawn in our garden this morning ...

Rental cars are available but best to pre-book. Do a Google search as there are several, to many to post. There will not ne any vendors going to the Blue Lagoon at the tender location ... as mentioned, only 800 people live on Fakarava, very limited infrastructure. Do a Google search for lagoon excursions on Fakarava. Vendor want cash, either XPF, Euro. If you use USD they will not give you a great exchange rate ... smaller vendors are not setup for CC

a few more from this morning ...

gilliansp Huahine - good island for cultural stuff Moorea - all about the interior Bora Bora - all about the lagoon Raiatea - another good cultural island Fakarava - only 800 people live here so the infrastructure is limited. The Blur Lagoon area is serene and so beautiful Rangiroa - Don't miss the 'Aquarium' ... some of the best snorkeling in FP Nuku Hiva - you want to get yourself up to the Hatihue/Anaho area 😉

Your on the one after us .... The problem is most of the good private excursions have already been booked ... all of my private excursions are pretty full. I would suggest going to your roll call (if there is one) and see if others are requesting more people to fill their private excursions. Most private vendors require a minimum so checking your roll call is a good way to go.

Which date? Your obviously on the Navigator

A few taken this week in the garden .... no filters, Sony RX10IV

Oh ... so were breaking the rules ... Another old rocker who still has it ... John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Taken at the Mid State Fair with my iPhone SE

Some will be open but not all of them ....

Hawaii is northern hemisphere ... the rest are southern hemisphere ... FP, Tonga and Fiji will likely be a bit more rainy and humid. Figure mid 80's with 60% humidity.

Simply stated for others ...

Actually there are some lovely beaches on Tahiti but it takes a little effort on your part. Pictured is the beautiful beaches on Tahiti-Iti. Rent a car and go seek out ... no resorts in this area of the island ... it's the real Polynesia 😉 Black sand beaches .... you can almost imagine Captain Cook's ship anchored in the picture with the peaks in the background.

Depending on the ship ... some do a BBQ and show one evening in Bora Bora and the tenders might be used for such and not available for going to Viatape after 4:30PM BTW ... the most convenient resort to spend the night on is the Conrad Hilton or the Moana ... The Conrad picks you up right at the tender drop off and the Moana is only a 10 minute taxi ride away.

I'm not on that cruise ... and I rarely give recommendations on excursions any longer.

Veranda B

Quiet area ... VB gives to a bit more room to get past the bed and the balcony is a tad larger ...

There are a few places to eat between the tender location and the public beach which is past the Kia Ora Resort. A good place to eat that is close to the public beach is Mitivai which is located at the top dive location.