Return to Papeete or stay in Raivavae, Australs – 2 April 2019

So far having taken three separate Aranui cruises I have never finished in Papeete. Each time I have elected to disembark in the last port and continue to explore the islands of French Polynesia. On the Aranui 3 ten years ago this was Rangiroa, on the Aranui 5 three years ago we disembarked in Bora Bora and now on this special cruise our farewell port was Raivavae. Anyone can embark or disembark the Aranui in whichever port they would like although it only makes sense to do this in the first or last port as prices for the cruise stay the same even if shortening the cruise.

On this particular cruise 3 other passengers were flying home from Raivavae while Kirsten and I along with two other passengers I booked, were staying two extra days in Raivavae. As we told other passengers our plans I heard many say, I wish I had known I could stay in Raivavae.

There are only 2 to 3 flights per week from Raivavae to Papeete so it’s necessary to wait until the next available flight off of the island. In our case however, this was a great opportunity to extend our French Polynesia adventure in the Austral Islands.