The island of Mo'orea wasn’t as interesting to me as Tahiti or Bora Bora. It has an iconic mountain with a very distinctly shaped peak, which was very nice to see. What made my day was meeting up with my Argentinian friends. I haven’t told you anything about them yet, but they were the most significant part of my time on the cruise ship. In the future it will be memories of my time with them that will bring me more smiles than any of the places we visited.
I told Courtney that I really wanted to learn how to play an Argentinian card game called Truco before arriving in Argentina. I didn’t want to be that gringa who arrives and is unable to socialize with a group due to not knowing how to play a game. The next night she remembered that there was a group of Argentinian performers on the ship and she offered to introduce me. I have no problem walking up to strangers and starting a conversation, but this felt a bit invasive. They were peacefully minding their own business and then we arrive.
Courtney: “Hello. This is my friend Kristin and she is planning on moving to Argentina. She would really like to learn how to play… what was it called again?”
Me: “Truco.”
Courtney: “I have to get back to work. Thanks guys.”
So, I was left with my apprehensive babysitters. It was obvious that at first they couldn’t believe that this crazy and random American wanted to learn how to play Truco and while on a cruise ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean of all places. The group was made up of Marcelo (a classical tango pianist), Luciano (Marcelo’s son who is currently studying to do the same as his father), Javier (an amazing bandoneon player), and last but not least Marcela/Walter (the ship’s tango team). The banter back and forth amongst them is astonishing. My snappy sarcasm and ability to learn the rules of Truco quickly garnered the respect of the group and it was established that I was going to become their groupie. I began spending every lunch (2:00pm) and every dinner (8:45pm) with them. It is good that they exposed me to Argentinian habits. All meals are significantly later than what we have in the US. The only reason we ate at 8:45 was because the restaurants on board closed at 9:00pm. If they had it their way, we would have eaten at 10:30 or 11. After dinner we would often watch the other entertainers on the ship perform, play soccer on the top deck, or go back to one of their cabins for wine and Truco. We shared mate (an Argentinian drink that is bitter like green tea and is shared amongst a group out of a gourd and consumed through a metal straw), they let me listen to them compose music, we sat in the hot tub together, and spent a lot of time sitting around laughing. They lovingly call me gringa and incorporated me into their whistling system. Each person had a different whistle they would use to grab the attention of the others from afar. Luckily, whistling is one of my fortes. From what I knew of Argentinian culture before meeting them, I knew I would like Argentina. Once I spent some serious time with the Tango group, I knew I would love Argentina. I will post soon on my reflections of the Argentinian identity and what makes them so unique. Just know now that they are a social and lively bunch.
We negotiated down the price of a large van to take us all to a public beach where we could rent kayaks. Luciano and I spent some time swimming around the reef with my GoPro and then we rented kayaks with Javier. The three of us paddled out to where a tour group was swimming with sharks and manta rays. To Luciano’s amazement I bailed ship as quick as I could to see the sharks. He kept saying, “Ella es muy valiente!” “She is so brave!” Javier remained firmly tucked into the kayak while Luciano and I swam around like two little kids in a candy shop. We were so close to the sharks it was amazing. So it cost us 5 dollars to swim with the sharks and the cruise ship passengers paid 160 dollars. That goes to show you should never do a tour off of a cruise ship.
The next day I was one of the first people off the ship because it was my dive day! I met with Laurent of Diveasy on his boat and an Australian couple on their honeymoon. We had two fantastic dives. I am really feeling comfortable underwater and am able to regulate my breathing and buoyancy so well that I can remain below much longer than my fellow divers. We didn’t see any extremely unique species, but the visibility was high. The boat ride back to shore took us past the iconic stilt huts that celebrities stay in and over the deliciously turquoise water that makes Bora Bora the place to go for a honeymoon. It was killing me not having my big camera. Laurent kindly dropped me off at the only public beach on the island because I knew the tango group would be there. Ironically he pulled up five feet from where they were all lounging. I jumped off the boat and joined my friends with a big grin on my face. We spent the rest of the day swimming underneath the stilt houses of a major resort after sneaking around its gate. Marcelo and Luciano humored me by repeatedly listing the 24 names of their dog in unison. Apparently the dog receives a new name for each major life event. I never realized a dog could have such an eventful life! Oh how I love these people!
Out of all my travels Bora Bora is the only place that 100% lived up to its glory. Most places are touched up in post cards to look even more picturesque than they really are, but Bora Bora was perfect. The water was clear and warm and even in shallow water there were tropical fish swimming around my ankles. I may never get back there, but definitely wouldn’t complain if I was offered the chance to have my honeymoon there someday.
I told Courtney that I really wanted to learn how to play an Argentinian card game called Truco before arriving in Argentina. I didn’t want to be that gringa who arrives and is unable to socialize with a group due to not knowing how to play a game. The next night she remembered that there was a group of Argentinian performers on the ship and she offered to introduce me. I have no problem walking up to strangers and starting a conversation, but this felt a bit invasive. They were peacefully minding their own business and then we arrive.
Courtney: “Hello. This is my friend Kristin and she is planning on moving to Argentina. She would really like to learn how to play… what was it called again?”
Me: “Truco.”
Courtney: “I have to get back to work. Thanks guys.”
So, I was left with my apprehensive babysitters. It was obvious that at first they couldn’t believe that this crazy and random American wanted to learn how to play Truco and while on a cruise ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean of all places. The group was made up of Marcelo (a classical tango pianist), Luciano (Marcelo’s son who is currently studying to do the same as his father), Javier (an amazing bandoneon player), and last but not least Marcela/Walter (the ship’s tango team). The banter back and forth amongst them is astonishing. My snappy sarcasm and ability to learn the rules of Truco quickly garnered the respect of the group and it was established that I was going to become their groupie. I began spending every lunch (2:00pm) and every dinner (8:45pm) with them. It is good that they exposed me to Argentinian habits. All meals are significantly later than what we have in the US. The only reason we ate at 8:45 was because the restaurants on board closed at 9:00pm. If they had it their way, we would have eaten at 10:30 or 11. After dinner we would often watch the other entertainers on the ship perform, play soccer on the top deck, or go back to one of their cabins for wine and Truco. We shared mate (an Argentinian drink that is bitter like green tea and is shared amongst a group out of a gourd and consumed through a metal straw), they let me listen to them compose music, we sat in the hot tub together, and spent a lot of time sitting around laughing. They lovingly call me gringa and incorporated me into their whistling system. Each person had a different whistle they would use to grab the attention of the others from afar. Luckily, whistling is one of my fortes. From what I knew of Argentinian culture before meeting them, I knew I would like Argentina. Once I spent some serious time with the Tango group, I knew I would love Argentina. I will post soon on my reflections of the Argentinian identity and what makes them so unique. Just know now that they are a social and lively bunch.
We negotiated down the price of a large van to take us all to a public beach where we could rent kayaks. Luciano and I spent some time swimming around the reef with my GoPro and then we rented kayaks with Javier. The three of us paddled out to where a tour group was swimming with sharks and manta rays. To Luciano’s amazement I bailed ship as quick as I could to see the sharks. He kept saying, “Ella es muy valiente!” “She is so brave!” Javier remained firmly tucked into the kayak while Luciano and I swam around like two little kids in a candy shop. We were so close to the sharks it was amazing. So it cost us 5 dollars to swim with the sharks and the cruise ship passengers paid 160 dollars. That goes to show you should never do a tour off of a cruise ship.
The next day I was one of the first people off the ship because it was my dive day! I met with Laurent of Diveasy on his boat and an Australian couple on their honeymoon. We had two fantastic dives. I am really feeling comfortable underwater and am able to regulate my breathing and buoyancy so well that I can remain below much longer than my fellow divers. We didn’t see any extremely unique species, but the visibility was high. The boat ride back to shore took us past the iconic stilt huts that celebrities stay in and over the deliciously turquoise water that makes Bora Bora the place to go for a honeymoon. It was killing me not having my big camera. Laurent kindly dropped me off at the only public beach on the island because I knew the tango group would be there. Ironically he pulled up five feet from where they were all lounging. I jumped off the boat and joined my friends with a big grin on my face. We spent the rest of the day swimming underneath the stilt houses of a major resort after sneaking around its gate. Marcelo and Luciano humored me by repeatedly listing the 24 names of their dog in unison. Apparently the dog receives a new name for each major life event. I never realized a dog could have such an eventful life! Oh how I love these people!
Out of all my travels Bora Bora is the only place that 100% lived up to its glory. Most places are touched up in post cards to look even more picturesque than they really are, but Bora Bora was perfect. The water was clear and warm and even in shallow water there were tropical fish swimming around my ankles. I may never get back there, but definitely wouldn’t complain if I was offered the chance to have my honeymoon there someday.
