Flying home
All too soon we locked Albatross up for the last time for the next several months and made our way to shore. On the taxi ride over the island to the airport, we experienced 3 distinctly different climate zones as well as some-mind blowing views. From the harbor with its maritime humidity and lush foliage, we ascended to a volcanic rim, sparser vegetation but still green and drier, then into the volcanic plain [crater], again lush but dry. And finally descending again to sea level on the northwest and thus driest part of the island, arid, hot and scrubby ruled.

The flight to Papeete, with a stopover in Hiva Oa, took 4 hours. Very comfortable jet and stunning aerial view of the islands with their volcanic craters, valleys and spires, then the vast expanse of the Pacific again. In Papeete we opted for a motel close to the airport for 2 nights before returning to the U.S. Papeete was shocking in in its delivery of the best food on the planet. With more city than we had experienced during our trip we still found the people friendly and colorful. A visit to the Grand Marche downtown offered one more chance to shop before out flight home. (a work in progress the concept of home after you have been out at sea for 17days and on boat for 2 months). At last, on June 4 we boarded Air France’s Boing 777 for LAX which gave us the kind of airline service you used to get(minus the tech. perks)in the old days. So refreshing and filling. Two meals,complementary wine with meals, friendly helpful flight attendants, delicious [really] food, unlimited good coffee and individual TV monitors on seatbacks with a choice of about 70 movies. Nice welcome home.