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Clearly Crystal

Try to imagine salty water as clear as a swimming pool covering tens of square miles, decorated with sand, corals, clams, and fish of all colors of the rainbow. The imagination will surely fail to even begin to grasp it all; if it could it would be unbelievable. Just a few days of swimming, snorkeling,Continue reading “Clearly Crystal”

Why Ain’t It Just a Chicken?

It walks like a rooster, clucks and crows like a rooster, but it ain’t no rooster! Really! Our infallible internet bird reference positively identifies it as a Red Jungle Fowl. Well maybe it is, but something in me just wants to cry foul over the naming of this fowl. But anyway, I may still justContinue reading “Why Ain’t It Just a Chicken?”

Moods of Otemanu

Towering Otemanu shows many moods as seen from different angles and in different lighting. Sometimes it seems bold and imposing and other times shy and retiring, shrouding its face in clouds. On this day it seemed charmed by the Sun, boldly attended by bright background clouds, barely offering us a sideways glance over its shoulder.Continue reading “Moods of Otemanu”

Busy Beach on Sunday Afternoon

Sunday afternoon is a time for locals and tourists alike to swarm to the beach where placid waters and soft sands gleam in the tropical sun. A few bathers bob in the turquoise waters of the lagoon while in the distance, breakers foam against the reef and an occasional boat can be seen sailing inContinue reading “Busy Beach on Sunday Afternoon”

Lost Boys

Lost boys in Never-never Land are right at home on the motus surrounding Bora Bora, with no Captain Hook, but lots of good food, good friends, and even a good Fairy. Life couldn’t be sweeter. #neverland #borabora

End and Beginning in Bora Bora

The Sun has set, but our stay here has just begun. We’re settled into our bungalow at Rohotu Fare, and just dined at Bloody Mary’s restaurant. I had their namesake drink, and while it was good, I don’t think anyone will ever match what I call “Karen’s World Famous Bloody Mary!”

Moorea Fare Thee Well

Afternoon clouds block sunlight from lofty summits, including the massive Mauaroa. Soon our stay on this island will come to an end, as we depart for further island adventures. Our memories of Moorea will not be shadowed nor clouded, but rather, brightened by visions of what we have seen and by the friends that weContinue reading “Moorea Fare Thee Well”

Valley of the Kings

The path led upward, onward through the deep, heavily wooded valley of Afareaitu, the House of the Kings. Honu (turtle) faces carved in the volcanic rocks guarded along the way, warning that this was a place only for the ali’i (royalty). A nasty fall challenged our determination to see these sacred grounds, but we carefullyContinue reading “Valley of the Kings”

Moorea Mana

Storm clouds gathered over the mountains while we cruised with whales in the ocean north of Moorea, but obligingly held back until we had returned ashore. Once safely back to our bungalow, soothing rains showered the mountains and bay, slowly dissolving the clouds and revealing the full heights of the summits once again. #Moorea #Rotui

Morning at Night

Awake at 3:45 AM, my body felt it was ready to go about the day. My jet-lagged mind reluctantly followed it out into the nighttime sky to view the Moon and Jupiter lowering over Cook’s Bay. Roosters crowed in the distance while breakers crashed on the outer reef, serenading the serenity of the scene. AfterContinue reading “Morning at Night”