Sharks and Eels and Rays, Oh My!

Heiva - Bora Bora 2019

The last two days were more of the same, relax, swim and snorkel. The weather gods have been kind to us still, the winds have stayed calm and visibility in the water has greatly improved. Syd has enjoyed snorkeling enough that I had a hard time getting her out of the water. I have encouraged her to move on to scuba, the clear waters hear have stirred thoughts in my head of getting re-certified as a diver myself. Last dive was in the Turks and Caicos in 2004, been too long… And I have to work on my underwater photography….

We did not stay on the resort the whole time, we were fortunate enough to visit French Polynesia during Heiva, an annual cultural festival that has art shows, sporting events and dance competitions that lasts for a month. We caught a Friday night show in Vaitape that featured singing and dancing, could not understand a word of it but it was great. Put on by locals for locals the music and energy was interesting to witness. How Polynesian woman can move their hips like they do is a mystery to me…

Oh the pain. The pain.
Oh the pain. The pain.
Duo selfie
Duo selfie
Underwater locals
Underwater locals
I loved seeing this.
I loved seeing this.
It was better with my own eyes...
It was better with my own eyes…
Underwater...
Underwater…
Heiva - Bora Bora 2019
Heiva – Bora Bora 2019
Heiva - Bora Bora 2019
Heiva – Bora Bora 2019
Heiva - Bora Bora 2019
Heiva – Bora Bora 2019
Heiva - Bora Bora 2019
Heiva – Bora Bora 2019
Heiva - Bora Bora 2019
Heiva – Bora Bora 2019
Heiva - Bora Bora 2019
Heiva – Bora Bora 2019
Musicians at Heiva in Bora Bora 2019
Musicians at Heiva in Bora Bora 2019
The last sunset.
The last sunset.
The last sunset.
The last sunset.

A Couple Of Slow Ones

Under the sea under our bungalow.

The last two days have been relaxing ones, swimming reading and some spa treatments for all. The weather continues to cooperate, clear skies with few clouds. The sea (or lagoon) changed in 24 hours though. Yesterday it was calm enough that it was like swimming in a pool. Today the waves picked up, much more turgid than yesterday. The waves were crashing on the barrier reef so hard a lasting curtain of mist formed. Did not prevent us from swimming though.

The amount of sea life and activity we have seen has been remarkable, fish and rays of many sizes visible from our back porch. Terns diving for food have made fish and rays fly across the water.

It was time to get off the farm for dinner tonight, took the boat to Vaitape to visit Bloody Mary’s for some fresh local fish. Very Polynesian feel complete with sand floors, food was great. The bathrooms were a hoot as well. Made me think what it would be like if the castaways of Gilligan’s Island opened a restaurant…

The still waters
The still waters
Some of our smaller friends
Some of our smaller friends
Under the sea under our bungalow.
Under the sea under our bungalow.
The view from the swim barrier.
The view from the swim barrier.
Proof I am on this trip.
Proof I am on this trip..
What the shark saw...
What the shark saw…
Syd and me at sea.
Syd and me at sea.
The waves crashing over the barrier reef. The island in the background is Ra'iātea.
The waves crashing over the barrier reef. The island in the background is Ra’iātea.
Finally she lets me take her picture!
Finally she lets me take her picture!
Proof we are together
Proof we are together
How you pick your meal at Bloody Mary's
How you pick your meal at Bloody Mary’s
Finally a picture of the three of us
Finally a picture of the three of us