French Polynesia – Nicci Carrera

We were on the fence about doing a snorkel tour as it sounded hard, five hours out on the water. But there would be a picnic and we’d be getting in the water which would help with the heat that makes doing things in the tropics so difficult.

We booked through the hotel connected to the VRBO where we were staying. We had to get up at 5:30 to make sure we would be on time. Well we were a half hour late even though we left in plenty of time because we didn’t know where to park. But it was a small group and they waited for us and gave us instructions on where to park and find them. Their communication was great. (Boat Tours Tahiti.)

The first thing we saw were the small dolphins who play near the opening to the pass as they call it, the place where boats go out of the reef-protected area and into the ocean.

The dolphins spend the night in the lagoon and then head out to the ocean to hunt during the day.

We went through the pass and stopped, bobbing on the waves right next to the breakers. The other guest asked what we were looking at, and the host said “the beautiful waves.”

They were mesmerizing from that vantage point.

I was worried about meeting the sting rays, but the guide assured us they were friendly (because, as it turns out, he feeds them fish). We stood still in the water, and they swam around us and touched us if we let them. I didn’t, haha. When the ray saw me dodge away, he didn’t come closer. He looked right at me, and I swear we don’t realize how intelligent animals are. I didn’t know rays had big eyes. It was a really amazing wildlife encounter for my husband, who was not afraid. Animals go to him. His body language is calm and confident, and animals are attracted by that.

We saw a former aquarium where all the creatures escaped during a hurricane, had a picnic lunch and saw one turtle. Finally, I could snorkel. I’ve always found it uncomfortable, but it was very enjoyable in Tahiti. We saw many people out practicing for the big canoe (va’a) race that was coming up on the weekend. Dry season brings a lot of events and activities for the local Polynesians. I was happy to be able to get this photo. Being out on the water affords excellent photo ops.

All I have been using is my phone for snapshots, but now that I’m blogging again, I’ll take out the old SLR. Stay tuned!

My husband was going through my blog yesterday, and when he said it just stopped, I felt badly about it. For a variety of reasons, I went offline for a couple years. I am going to start again because I realize it is a contribution, and that’s something I want to make.

So we just returned from an incredible trip to Tahiti. In time I’ll cover the various aspects of our experiences on the two islands we visited.

Today I want to jump in with the flowers. We stayed at The Bora Bora Resort with a lot of honeymooners and people celebrating anniversaries (like us). It’s a very peaceful environment where we finally experienced the over-water bungalow. That in itself is very cool. The sea laps and splashes around the pillars providing constant watery surround sound and the waves are visible even at night in the giant coffee because they light them in soft glowing blue. It’s like being in a boat without the rocking.

The weather was mostly bad, but we did get out for some walks between storms. Possibly my favorite part of the resort was the gardens.

They have extensive lily ponds which are gorgeous. I’ve never seen a single lily pond before let alone ones that extend everywhere. Flowers are an integral part of the landscape design and indoor decor.