Hanging with Capt. Taina

Excursion day!

I searched high and low for the best snorkeling experience on Moorea,

and Captain Taina seemed to have the most votes on the web!

A good carb load for breakfast.

Man, the baguette french toast hit the spot every morning!
Along with the fresh fruit. 

Our breakfast view.

Can you hear the smooth Polynesian music playing through

the picture? I sure can hear it!

Walking off the fullness before our big swim.

He was getting ready to deliver breakfast to the huts on the water!

Captain Taina's was nothing fancy in the least bit.

We pulled up to almost a junk yard with a big patio.

We got all checked in then took the group back to the water.

These coconuts lined along the fence were so cool!

I kid you not, we passed behind this massive palm leaf into a turquoise curtain 

of water!

We could not get over what we were looking at!!

Never have seen anything so breathtaking, ever.

Unfortunately, it was a super windy day.

We weren't sure how much sea life we would be able to see

since the current was running fiercely.

 

I didn't care.

Just sitting on the boat with the bluest of blue water

would be enough for me!

Our main captain.

He would explain everything in French, then repeat in English for us.

The way he said, Shellee.

Never tired of the smooth French accent. 

We first tried spotting turtles through the glass bottom. 

Normally this section is swarmed with them.

Of course, not this day!

We still jumped in and tried to spot some.

I think we did see one.

Another great purchase was a water proof diving case for my phone!

Made for some good underwater pictures!

We got back in the boat and drove to another area.

This guy sailed right by us!

He is a world wind champion and comes here

yearly to practice!

Our captain is a local, born and raised.

It was neat to hear his stories and learn about his backyard,

as he referred to the ocean.

I think he said he has swam in it everyday of his life.

What a life!

He lives on family owned land.

His house does not have running water.

He never wears sunscreen and has never burned before!

He took us by a resort that has since shut down from covid. 
It had been vacant for 4 years, waiting for a buyer.
He said he used to do snorkeling excursions for this resort for 30 years.

He knew the owner well, and were close friends. 

As he was telling us about why the resort didn't make it, we noticed smoke!

It was on FIRE!!!

He started to panic and looking for his phone.

He said it looked to be the main "house" of the

resort with the kitchen, office and some rooms.

He was in disbelief!

It was getting bigger and bigger!

He said this will be the talk of the Island for days!

I felt bad, but there was nothing we could do
and he had to continue on with the tour.

This is called the sunken Tiki garden.

Ancient Tahitian tikis were thrown in the water when missionaries

were converting the islands. In protest, locals tossed tikis in

the water as a sign of respect and preservation. 

I think these tikis were from churches?

Don't quote me on that!

Our guide found a huge conkshell!

He said we were going to swim out into some coral gardens.

No noodles.

Good thing I am a good swimmer because we were out for

quite awhile!

I was surprised at how much faith he had in us.

We saw some cool stuff, but I was happy to return to the boat!

He pointed out some pretty spectacular things.

However, I think I exerted energy as I was trying hard to not touch ANYTHING!

Since some of the things could be deadly.

Like a water snail that could kill you in seconds if you

came in contact with it.

No big deal. 

 

This gigantic sea urchin nestled into the coral was also deadly.

Funny how I was excited to go see things not as deadly after that stop.

Like the sharks. HA!

It was a cool experience.

They feel so gross, ick.

I died when they would want to slither all the way up and

down your body!

Time for some grub!

They took us to a private island where they cooked

us lunch.

It was authentic in every way!

Even with their cooking methods.

Love that he is basting the meat with a tree branch!

They love to be eco friendly.

They gave a demonstration on how to make poisson cru.

Raw tuna salad with fresh coconut and lime juice. 

I was skeptical, but it was good!

Look at those colorful veggies!

Cheers!

How could anything taste bad coming out of a cute coconut?!

I was SHOCKED Casey ate his!!

He said it wasn't bad at all.

It's amazing how much better fresh caught fish tastes!

Kabobs of my dreams right there.

I can't remember what the fresh caught fish of the day was, but

it melted in my mouth like butter.

They also had chicken that was delightful. 

Rice and baguettes to go with the skewers.

Fresh fruit for dessert with coconut shavings on top.

They waste no parts of the coconut!

Doing the dishes in the ocean never has been this fun!

No joke.

The fish eat the leftover food.

The birds came out like crazy.

Casey was nice and threw them some offerings.

The pile of coconuts from the poisson cru.

I can't remember what they do to recycle them.

Full and happy.

Back on land.

I had to send a picture of the basketball hoop to the boys.

Rusty said sketch.

I think it was adorable!!

These gardenia plants smelled so heavenly!
Reminded me of my Grandmother who planted them in her gardens.

Another swim in our pool before heading to dinner.

Holy Steak House this time.

No pictures of dinner except this scoop of coconut ice cream.