Chu chu chu chu chuchaaangeszzzz

Heaps of emotions mixing through the mind as Paul and I begin to wind it all down here! One thing I will really miss are the amazing Sky Tower sunsets.  Tonight's was another stunner.  Much love to all!  

The clouds seems to be on fast forward here this time of year.

Fully engulfed.

And we're done but as you can see another wave is setting up.

One year in the books - Part Deux

Here are pictures from our days at Ninamu (resort) on Tikehau which is a coral atoll 340 kilometers northwest of Tahiti. The resort was on a small private island on the western side of the atoll.

Each bungalow was so unique - like living in a treehouse!

Setting crab traps (j/k)

Common space consisted of living room, bar, dinner tables etc - constructed from materials found on the island or in the sea.

Our first sunset at Ninamu was outstanding.

The beach was so pink from all the coral being ground and washed ashore.

Happy days

Working on his tan

Hermit crabs by the millions.  You could sit on the sand and see dozens crawling all over the joint.

We spent each morning on the boat for snorkeling, swimming, fishing or just riding.

Just couldn't get over all the colors represented in the water alone.

Looking for sharks - yep we saw and swam with the beasts.

Kayaking from resort over to next island in the atoll.

Fondu dinner with new friends at Ninamu.

Huge coconut crabs on the deck after dinner.  What a spectacle!

Took a ride over to the Garden of Eden island on the other side of the atoll.  A religious family from Taiwan has been living here for almost 20 years.  They live entirely off the land and only grow organics.  

Seems fairly reasonable!

They make their own sea salt.

Big Momma

On our last morning we tried the paddle boards.  Not as easy as they seem!

Stayin' lowwwww

Very last sunset back on Tahiti overlooking the airport.  That is Moorea in the distance. 

Cheers!

One year in the books : Part Un

Ia ora na!  (hello in Tahitian, pronounced oh rah nah) Here are some pictures from our trip to French Polynesia to celebrate our first year of marriage.  We flew into Papeete, Tahiti then took a ferry to the neighboring island of Moorea.  From there we flew to Bora Bora and a few days later onto the atoll, Tikehau.  Each of our destinations was quite unique but all incredibly beautiful and fun yet relaxing.  Wish I'd brushed up on my (limited) francaise!!  I'm going to post pictures from Tikehau separately because I have heaps.  I'm so thankful for an amazing husband to share this life with and to have the incredible travel opportunities we've had.  Laissez les bon temps rouler!  

After a rainy and rough ferry ride over to Moorea our taxi man lets us out to get our first real glimpse of paradise.  That is Tahiti in the distance. 

Monopoly money!!

Contemplating his future maritime expeditions??  This was the front porch of our little bungalow at Fare Vaihere (our guest house on Moorea).

Our front "yard".

Practice makes perfect!

Beverage of choice.

It's go time.

Still cloudy but water was crystal clear.

Our host and tour guide, Phillip attracting new stingray friends (slimy).

Those dark blobs are coral reef albeit not in the best condition. A world of beautiful fish though! 

Camping island style

New day = new possibilities.

View of Fare Vaihere from the boat.  We had to be shuttled via kayak in order to not damage the motu (reef). 

View from the top of Magic Mountain.  You can see now how the motu bleeds from the edge of the island - well volcano. 

Close up

Squeaky bikes are the best form of transport on island time.

Photo op!

H U M I D

Sorry Max. 

Our first proper Tahitian sunset

The hubs and wifey

Ahhhhh and now onto Bora Bora!! 

 The lagoon here was unBELIEVABLE.  I took this from the pier at the airport.

Boat taxi to hotel.

Wicked

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

After thinking and eventually vocalizing "That can't be safe?" we thoroughly enjoyed watching this duo paddle around the lagoon in front of our hotel.

First proper Tahitian moonrise!

Stunning

A lot going on with this face right now.

Public beach outside our hotel apparently voted best beach in the world by the NY Times at some point.  I was struck by how calm the water was despite the line of storms in the background. 

Another interesting face... on the way back to the airport. Next up - Tikehau!!  Stay tuned.