Tahiti Series

The following is a series of blogs I wrote to myself during hon' and my stay in Tahiti in the May of 2010. It was one of the most enriching trips of my life as will be obvious through these blogs.

May 23: Papeete
Tahiti has simply blown me away. The morning is crisp, the view of the lagoon and the endless ocean beyond it, serene. No camera can capture what I see sitting on our patio. Tahitians seem happy all the time. No prizes for guessing why. They live in this paradise, have the most scrumptious produce and life just seems simple here. The view from the infinity pool is breathtaking. This has to be ideal way of spending Sunday mornings. I am officially in love.

We fly to Moorea in 10 minutes. The pictures of the "domestic" airport precisely describe life here. Simple and beautiful.

May 23: Moorea Day 1
Moorea, phonetically 'Mooh-ooo-rea', is a 10 minute flight ride from Tahiti. It's another thing that you spend 90 minutes before and 60 minutes after to really begin experiencing it. As the lady at the arrival welcome desk put it, "it's too safe", almost as in a manner that too safe was boring! We spend 45 minutes with her, planning the next 4 days in paradise phase 2.

It only gets better as you experience Tahiti and her islands. As I write this, I sit on the private deck leading directly to the lagoon below our overwater bungalow. If the creator made paradise on earth, man certainly has done enough to experience it in it's full glory.

I think of the countless moments I spent, wanting to be here and as I take in the the fresh humid air, I almost cannot believe that I am here. This being a surreal moment, would only be an understatement.

The moon is up, the stars clearer than day. The specks of light from the neighboring villas set the lagoon alight. I, my dear friends, have successfully rented heaven for 9 days.

May 24: Moorea Day 2
I'll let you be the judge. What do you call a day where you begin with a breakfast fit for a queen, morning spent doing a safari in the rain filled Moorea forests, eating a baby pineapple handed over like a lollipop to you, jam tasting, visiting ancient Tahitian sacrificial temples? Much as I am at a loss for words to describe this morning, I wouldn't call it Monday morning. :) We ended it with some of the best vanilla in the world and one of the pineapples that we were given at the farm.

We were too excited to be tired so we decided to go snorkeling in the lagoon below our villa. Within 5 minutes, hon' and I decide that we aren't snorkeling people. We chuck the gear and decide to explore the lagoon by foot. The effort that has gone into keeping the lagoon pristine is commendable. The waterbed is so clear you can see every step you take. Once we hit the reefs, I jumped onto hon' like a little monkey and couldn't stop laughing. As he waded both of us out of the water, we decided that it was better to go canoeing. I am hooked. It's just amazing how you got to work in tandem to get it gliding like a smooth machine.

All in all, I am convinced about one thing. Writers begin their career on a vacation like this. Its so calming, the water beneath the patio, the gentle breeze and the salty freshness in it. I am going to stop writing and just look at this insane beauty.

May 25 & 26: Moorea Day 3 & 4
It was a super cloudy/rainy day yesterday. Wasn't a total downer though. We swam in the pool (minus the boisterous boys) with the rain on our head and the water beneath us. Must say it was a lot of fun. We began a lagoon excursion but the rain came pouring down so badly that we decided to forfeit the money we already paid. There was a European family with us who added to the confusion at which point hon' and I decided to not do it.

The lagoon manages to look better with each changing mood and weather. The rain came down wild and the lagoon bouncing against it made it look simply phenomenal. The coffee in the villa was just the cherry on the top. Indian snacks (yes we snuck in some) with coffee, sigh, this is one afternoon I am going to miss.

Day 4 began with a bang! We had rented a scooter for the day and had a list of places to explore. Moorea looks so much more beautiful when you are on the road on a two wheeler. The day was just perfect weather wise, a good come back to yesterday's rain. The wind in your hair, the saltiness in the air, even the humidity make the ride just better. Breathing the fresh air with your arms and legs spread out is an out-of-this-world experience.

All in all, Moorea and its people have made for themselves, a special place in my heart. George, the "capitan" of our canceled lagoon excursion yesterday calls back to take us for free today, the local folk remind me of people in my village back in India, simple, honest and plain happy. How poverty doesn't breed dishonesty, greed out here, I fail to understand. It is a pleasant surprise to see people waiting their turn without a line at the bank that has no security, the airport that doesn't have screening, no baggage checks, even the pilot's cockpit is open!

I take with me, beautiful memories of the lady who gave us free ice-cream because she somehow felt like I was one of them (she looked at my skin tan and pointed to herself and said 'same'), memories of Frankie Frank, our guide who spent 5 hours with us on a 3 hour tour, George, the guy who offered to take us back one excursion for free. How these people live a hearty life inspite of not being too wealthy is for the rest of the world to watch and learn. These people, have life figured out in the true way it is meant to be lived.

May 27 & 28: Bora Bora
Bora Bora is one place everyone should visit once in their lifetime. And when you come, stay in the Four Seasons. The resort is a city in itself, and as the lady at the boutique said, "I live on the main island, it's beautiful out there, but after staying here, you will only want to rush back once you leave". I am in no mood to leave. We sit right now on a private beach, I kid you not. There is no one here except Sweetie and I. Mount Otumanu towers in front of us, the beach waters touching our feet, the noise of this water used in so many massage parlors and sound machines to make people tranquil.

I believe I have described Tahiti and her people in superlatives alone. I feel at a loss of better words in my vocabulary to describe this 5th anniversary experience. As with every vacation, I am ready to leave and go back to my haven and this time, to Simba. I feel like I have relaxed my mind, body and soul in less than a week. Didn't know it could be done this fast. Humans have successfully privatized peace and serenity and its called Four Seasons, Bora Bora.