Legal Ruling?

Wednesday, 22 October - Morea, French Polynesia (Opunohu Bay)

 

A legal ruling is in order. Arrived this morning at Morea, French Polynesia after a pilot boat flying the Tricolor loaded the local pilot and immigration officials at Papeete, Tahiti. Those of us disembarking on Friday in Polynesia had to get our passports stamped before leaving the ship this morning. It’s the first time I’ve seem my passport since boarding Silver Shadow on Sept. 17. To my surprise, my passport showed an entry stamp for Pitcairn Island although none of us set foot on the island. So, is the Tahiti island group of French Polynesia my country 121 or 122? Of course, it would have been number 123 if we had landed on Easter Island. I asked a lawyer on board and he said yes. (He had just had a bloody mary which may have made him more pliable, however.) There’s a retired Calif Superior Court judge onboard. I will ask him when I see him.

 

Took a couple of mile walk this morning along the road where the tender landed with a retired high school teacher and active viola player. He’s a member of the Travelers Century Club with 218 countries (or 219 perhaps). He looked troubled by the passport stamp issue. Please advise.

 

The locals wear flowers in their hair but have the affectation of speaking French when strangers are about. The local’s small houses along my walk were quite lovely. After lunch I will be taking the ship’s excursion titled, MOREA FOUR WHEEL DRIVER SAFARI. It is marked with a symbol of a hiker with a pack and walking stick. The tour booklet says this means, “Tour is recommended for those guests who are physically fit.” I believe this means a demonstrated ability to actually tie one’s own shoelaces.

 

 I will add to this journal entry, including pictures along with additional notes from today’s tour and from Bora Bora and Papeete in a day or so if not immediately after getting back home this weekend. Just wanted to say high from Tahiti. Who wouldn’t?