Gorgeous, tropical French Polynesia did not disappoint, it is traveler paradise. Our short stay was spent on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. After arriving on Tahiti we took a twenty-minute ferry ride across the bright turquoise ocean to the smaller island of Moorea. We decided to rent a car because there is not a lot of public transportation on the islands. The Club Bali Hai became our home for the three days we were there. Bali Hai is nestled at the foot of the massive cliffs and spires of Cook’s Bay. With a gorgeous view and a kitchenette it could not go wrong. Cook’s Bay is named for the explorer James Cook, who mapped that area of French Polynesia. It was so easy to lounge on our balcony or at the pool but we found our way to snorkeling, a local Māori dance show and kayaking in our bay.

Spending the day at the Lagoonarium was an amazing experience. The day began with a short boat ride to the Motu Ahi island. Cable lengths have been strung in the lagoon creating two aquatic paths to swim along. The lagoon has significant current but by holding on and snorkeling along the cables we swam with sharks, rays and moray eels amid a frenzy of colorful lagoon tropical fishes. Twice a day the owner does feedings much to the enjoyment of the ocean life, sea birds and humans. The rays love to rub up against and swim with the humans. We spent the whole day and despite my number fifty sunscreen I still got sunburnt.

The local people of Polynesian decent are called Māori. They share their culture through local dance shows that are similar to Hawaiian hula shows. Musicians, dressed in authentic native costumes, readied their instruments and began a deep, resonant rhythm that set the stage for the dancers. The men were athletic and the girls beautiful and graceful. After the show some of the performers taught a dance class for the younger local kids.

Both of the islands are small enough to that we were able to drive around them. For all of Tahiti’s fame, there are not very many beaches and those that there are are black sand. We drove around Tahiti on Sunday and happened upon many large family barbecues, the cycling part of a triathlon and an ocean, stand-up paddle boarding competition.

French Polynesia is beautiful and we wished we had more time to explore the other islands but we’re looking forward to meeting Lindsey and Ryan in Auckland, New Zealand.