Sailing The South Seas

Sailing The South Seas

By:


Ever since I read James Micheners book, Tales of the South Pacific, Ive dreamed of living amongst the waving palms and sugar sand beaches of the South Seas. In my youth, this dream actually drove me to move to Hawaii for a while where I settled down with a sweet girl of Hawaiian-Chinese-Filipino descent. Her name was Nani Houmaniwanui Pahia. It took me weeks to be able to pronounce her last name. Through Nani I got a glimpse into Polynesian culture few Hoales (outsiders) ever get. Her mother was pure Hawaiian and Nani knew lots of songs and stories her aunties (pretty much every older Hawaiian woman on Oahu) had told her. I loved Nani and the warm clear water and the rolling surf, the slack key music and the rainbows and the fish. I even got to like the poi and the poki, a ceviche like dish of octopus/squid,/rockfish/whatever we would buy and enjoy with a couple of Primo beers. Alas, after about a year in Hawaii my mainland motor just started revving uncontrollably. I guess I got what they call Island fever and I just had to go. I moved to Hollywood and became a producer/director of promotional films and commercials.

But I return to Hawaii any chance I can. Fortunately I still have friends I can see there, though Nani has since moved to the Mainland. A few years back, I was lucky enough to produce several promotional and marketing videos for a company called Aloha Pacific, which resurrected the old Matson Liner, Monterrey, and sailed her around the Islands. Good times! But, unfortunately, the Monterrey Hawaiian Cruise was done in by bitter competition and economics and now sails the Mediterranean where Im sure she pines for the old days.

My Father-in-Law, Bob Sinclair, recently took sixteen family members on a Sinclair South Pacific Adventure aboard the Star Flyer, sailing around Tahiti and the Society Islands. Talk about a busmans holiday! Ive taken over 180 working cruises in plying my trade with numerous cruise lines, and while the working conditions are great, its still work. Really, it is. Honestly. Going on a cruise strictly for pleasure seemed like too much of a good thing. Well it was. I couldnt resist shooting some stills with my trusty Nikon, posing my good looking Brother-in-Law and his wife, recording ambient sounds, interviewing the Captain and crew members, and generally doing what I normally do onboard a cruise ship. I kept forgetting they werent paying me to be there.
I guess I feel uncomfortable just kicking back and taking it all in. But this cruise was so beautiful and relaxing I found myself doing just that more and more.

The Society Islands, including Tahiti and Bora Bora, are picture perfect examples of Polynesian Paradise. You may know that Bora Bora was the inspiration for Micheners Bali Hai, the mysterious island that beckons you to come to her. Experiencing these beautiful islands from the deck of a true sailing ship with all sails billowing conjured up images of romance and adventure from the old Clipper Ship days of copra trading and rum. The copra trade isnt what it used to be, but Star Flyers bartender made sure we had plenty of rum available. And while the days of being welcomed by open-armed topless wahines seem to be gone, the people in these islands are among the most warm and friendly of any Ive met. The diving and snorkeling were first rate. The weather was perfect. We went swimming with rays and sharks and drifting through unbelievable coral gardens. By the end of the voyage I had quit taking pictures and just vegged out like the rest of the passengers. Now thats a relaxing cruise! It totally brought back the sun filled days and velvet breezes, starry nights and rustling coconut palm fronds of my Hawaiian idyll so many years ago. All together now, Sighhhhhhh.

About the Author:
Timothy K. Melchior, The Travelographer, works at The Association in Burbank, Ca.
Here is the Star Flyer Slide Show he made.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

|

Recent Travel-and-Leisure Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:


Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.