Tahiti

Russ and I decided to go on a "relaxing" trip for my 60th birthday and his retirement celebration. It seems like all the trips we go on, we go go go so we wanted something a little more lay back. 

Russ found a good deal on flights to Tahiti and after talking to Karen about Moorea, he decided this was the perfect spot! Whenever you see pictures of Tahiti, what do you think of? I always see blue skies, blue water, sandy beaches, palm trees and lots of sunshine! We had all of these, except the sunshine! It rained everyday & not just your average rain. When it rains there, it POURS!!! 

We flew into Tahiti at 5:30 am. on a Saturday morning. Our hotel was nice enough to let us take a shower, change clothes and store our luggage there until we could check in. From there we drove to the Tahiti temple. We got lost trying to find it and stopped at a convenience store to ask directions. A man came out and Russ ask him if he knew where the Mormon temple was. He said he was a member and to follow him and he would take us there. I love how the Lord always helps us when we need it, especially when we're trying to do His will.

The members at the temple were so nice. They speak French there, so we couldn't talk to them, but they greeted us warmly. Its a very small temple and the session we were going to go on was full, so we waited for the next one. We were asked to be the witness couple. I actually found out how it felt to be the one wearing headphones for translation. 

We only spent 2 days on Tahiti. On Sunday we attended church and everyone was very welcoming. When we sang the hymns, I felt like Russ and I were playing, "Name that tune."After the music started we would hurry and try to find the hymn so we could sing along in English. 

It was Fast Meeting and I could feel the spirit of the testimonies that were born. I loved seeing all the YM in their white shirts and ties. They all looked so sharp, with no weird haircuts or fashionable clothing to try and impress others. I thought of the 2,000 stripling warriors & pictured them looking similiar. 

 After church we went to the Tahitian Museum. It was quite interesting and had a section on Mormon & Christian missionaries coming to the islands.

On Monday morning we took the 30 minute ferry ride to Moorea and I slept  the whole way so I wouldn't get sea sick.

Even though it rained every day, we did have a few nice days where the sun would come out in spurts. We never did see a sunrise or sunset though, due to all the clouds.

 We drove up to a lookout point. There are so many jagged peaks on Moorea, but were covered with clouds most of the time. About 10 minutes after we arrived here it started pouring. It was a beautiful lookout point!!

 Loved seeing the pineapple fields. They have a plant on the island where they make different kinds of juices.

 I actually put on my suit several times! The water is SO warm and the snorkeling was great right off our beach.

 We drove around the entire island 2-3 times. Tahiti is very touristy, but Moorea is not very established, which is what we loved about it. 

There are lots of fresh fruit stands along the road. We stopped at this one several times and this lady would cut up our pineapple, slice it and put it in a bag for us. They're very small, but very sweet. You can even eat the core in these ones. They didn't make our tongue go bonkers either??

I loved all the beautiful flowers on the island!!

 We saw 3 LDS churches on Moorea and this one had the baptismal font outside. 

 We saw a whole lot of old rusty buses. Some of them were covered in growth so you could hardly see them. You can see how ruins get buried in the jungle after being here. 

 We found a couple of really good restaurants on the island. Food is very expensive here so we only ate out once a day. This was Mahi mahi breaded, cooked and soaked in coconut milk...very good!!

 We went to a botanical garden. They grow vanilla beans, star fruit and lots of different plants and flowers. The lady was really nice, although she spoke no English. She picked us 3 star fruit and gave them to us.

Russ loved these boat lifts!!

There was one main road that went around the entire island, with VERY few roads that went off the main road. You usually needed a 4-wheel drive to go on them. We found this one exception, so drove up a ways. Picture what this looks like without the road & that's pretty much what the island looks like...VERY jungly....hence, lots of rain:)  

One day on our drive we could actually see Tahiti from Moorea. 

Our last two nights on the island Russ wanted to splurge and stay in the huts over the water. I do have to say, they were pretty cool!! We had our own dock, shower outside and balcony overlooking the ocean. The floor in our room had a glass window in it so you could watch fish or other things swimming by. 

 Here's Russ swimming by our window in the floor:)

 Russ feeding the fish Ritz crackers.

It was definitely a relaxing vacation. I even read 2 books while I was there!

Lady who made this lei:)

While I was there I really wanted a lei. We stopped in several stores and ask a few people, but to no avail. I finally gave up on having one. 

Sunday we went to church & when I walked in I saw 4 beautiful leis draped over the podium. I asked one of the ladies (she spoke English) where I could buy one of those. She said they sell them along the road sometimes. We'd been out everyday and never saw any. Anyway, when Sacrament meeting got over the lady I talked to and one of the Sister missionaries took the leis and gave them to 3 of us ladies that were visiting. I couldn't believe it!! It smelled SO good and was so beautiful!! It always amazes me how we're blessed by doing simple things. The lady who made them wasn't even a member, but an investigator.

Even though though the weather wasn't ideal we had a great time. We definitely achieved our goal of a relaxing trip! It was hard to leave this beautiful, quiet island!

Life is good:)