Swimming with the Stingrays
Trip Start
Jul 21, 2009
1
9
196
Trip End
Jul 21, 2010
Where I stayed
Mark's Place Paradise
Haapiti, French Polynesia
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Polynesian Show last night was great – especially the temare
dance – the woman performing the love dance was excellent! We
learned a lot of tidbits including that Moorea means yellow lizard.
Today is our last day in Moorea – so after we pack up and say
our goodbyes we head to the Langorium – a motu (small island) away
from Moorea. The motu is amazing – it is cool to see the island
from a different perspective and the snorkeling is even more
incredible – we literally swam with all of Polynesia's fish that
are so brightly colored. It's like being in the movies: Little
Mermaid or Finding Nemo. We also saw the feeding of the stingrays
and the sharks – the stingrays (without their stinger) came close but the sharks stayed a good distance away. On the ferry another surreal moment: Elton John and
the 70s song Reunited blared from the speakers as we headed back to
Papeete.
Mark gave us a tip of a hostel to stay at in downtown Papeete –
but when we arrived it was boarded up. Luckily 2 nice
Chinese-Tahitians (families had been here for a couple of
generations) called on their cellphones a nearby hostel, booked us a
room, and then drove us to the hostel. So nice!!That night we went to the Roulettes – a spot downtown full of
mobile food vendors. We spent 3 hours there trying a bunch and
watching kids run around like crazy. Good food – good times.
