French Polynesia 2025: Tahiti

When our cruise around the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia came to its sad but inevitable end, we found ourselves back in Papeete with nearly 12 hours until our flight back to the States.  Danelle had once again brilliantly arranged a way for us to pass half of that time -- a guided driving tour around the perimeter of the island.

First stop was 'Ārahurahu Marae, which had the statuary I'd expected on Raʻiātea.

It also had Plantains, which have a uniquely photogenic flower.

Next stop was Cascade Vaimahuta.  I'd decided to forego my tripod and wide angle lens on this tour and was simply carrying my Nikon D750 with its 80-400m zoom lens, mostly due to fatigue and also so I could spend more time just enjoying the sites with Danelle and less time composing photos.

Here at the waterfall I somewhat regretted that decision, but I'm not not happy with the shots I did get.  No chance of capturing the falls' full 263-foot height this way, though.

Botanic gardens like the Jardins D'eau De Vaipahi are always target-rich photo environments.   This Giant Red was an obliging subject.

And yet another waterfall at the water gardens, which were honestly very nice.  We even got to see some of the sacred blue-eyed eels that we'd missed on our ebike tour of Huahine.

The last stop was a lively public beach -- Plage de la Pointe Venus, so named because Captain Cook chose this spot to observe the transit of Venus between the Earth and the Sun here in 1769.  My attention was focused lower, where I noticed this Brown Land Crab...

...and this Red-vented Bulbul, apparently unfazed by the nearby plastic bag.

A fitting farewell to a truly beautiful part of the world that I'm privileged to have been able to visit!

Related Links:

• Bora Bora
• Raʻiātea
• Mo'orea

French Polynesia 2025: Mo'orea

My wonderful wife booked a photo excursion for our cruise ship stop on the island of Mo'orea.  The talented Loreleï of Eyes of Moorea Photography drove us around to several picturesque locations, offering helpful tips on composition and technique. (Editor's Note: She also graciously reviewed this post and provided corrections and clarifications.  What a wonderful person!)

Our first stop was the Parc Public de Ta'ahiamanu, where I zeroed in immediately on this good boy sleeping on the beach.

In the dog's defense, it was a pretty idyllic location for a nap.

Loreleï was directing the group's attention to another spot on the beach, with a postcard view of ʼŌpūnohu Bay.

Hey, that's our ship!

I spotted some small birds hopping about that I hadn't noticed anywhere on the islands before -- Chestnut-breasted Munia.

We drove south and stopped at an unnamed location at the bottom of the bay -- the island's only black sand beach and witness to its ancient volcanic activity -- where a coconut obligingly sat in the surf.

Turning around has often served me well.  In this case I actually turned around and then walked north across a bridge, where I encountered this scene.  The original Tahitian name of the large mountain is the Tohi'e'a, which translates as "hot beast" and is the highest point of the island at 1,207 meters (3,960 feet).

Back in the truck and off we went to a field of sugar cane.  Most of the group were taking pictures of flowers on one side of the road.  I turned around again, crossed, and took this shot of Mou’a Roa, which translates to "long mountain" in Tahitian or Bali Hai from the movie South Pacific.

Pineapple plantation next, where I decided to get a little more closer for my shots...

...and closer still!

Last but not least to the Belvedere Outlook, with this beautiful view (ha!) of Mount Rotui and Cook's Bay (Paopao in Tahitian).

Really a fun experience in a gorgeous setting.  Loreleï definitely knows her stuff, and I was delighted to learn a few things!

Related Links:

• Bora Bora
• Raʻiātea
• Tahiti

French Polynesia 2025: Raʻiātea

After three nights in our overwater villa on Bora Bora, we returned to Tahiti and boarded the Paul Gauguin for a seven-day cruise around the Leeward Islands.  First stop was Huahine, where we took a great ebike tour around the southern island.  Next was Raʻiātea, where Danelle thoughtfully booked us a bus tour so I could bring my cameras and capture all the sights.

First stop was the Jardin Botanique de Raiatea, where I got a shot of one of the more common island birds -- Zebra Doves.

The flowers were, unsurprisingly, gorgeous.  I loved the soft light I got on this Parrot's Beak.

Also unsurprisingly, there were wonderfully lush sections of the botanical garden.  A nice stretch of the legs.

Next up was Belvedere Faaroa, where we were treated to an expansive view of the interior of Raiatea's crater and the surrounding ridges. So I took a 12-shot panoramic.

My main interest on this tour was Marae Taputapuatea -- a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Marae, according to Wikipedia, are "communal or sacred places that serve religious and social purposes in Polynesian societies."

Taputapuatea is positioned at the end of a peninsula that juts into the lagoon surrounding Raiatea.  The center of the complex contains the marae itself: a rectangular courtyard paved with basalt and measuring 144 by 197 meters.

Not sure whether these shells were offerings or simply decoration.  Either way, they were striking.

The marae may have been established as early as AD 1000, and it was expanded and rebuilt on at least two separate occasions between the 14th and 18th centuries.

Being on a peninsula, the marae borders the coast.  That means coconut palms and ocean views.

One could choose worse places to build a religious and social center. 

I had expected to see tiki or other types of statuary, but all I noticed were several lava rock courtyards.

Red Junglefowl are widespread.  Native to Southeast Asia, it is believed they were brought to the Polynesian Islands by seafaring settlers.  They're the ancestors of domestic chickens. (Editor's Note: An iNaturalist contributor claims this is simply a domestic chicken.  I'm sticking with my head canon for now.)

So while I was admittedly underwhelmed by the UNESCO site, the island overall is still incredibly beautiful.  And it was nice to just ride the bus after 15 miles of biking the day before!

Related Links:

• Bora Bora
• Mo'orea
• Tahiti

French Polynesia 2025: Bora Bora

After years of planning, we got to take a very special vacation earlier this month -- nearly two weeks in French Polynesia! 

We started with a few nights in an overwater bungalow at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.  Two of Danelle's favorite YouTubers -- Kara and Nate -- made it look and sound like an amazing experience.  And they weren't wrong.

Sunsets from our own Colorado backyard are pretty incredible.  These give them a run for their money.

The sunrises are also pretty stunning.  I went to this spot the morning before -- I mean, it's an overwater hammock -- but it was completely overcast.  Undeterred, I returned the next morning and was rewarded with these gorgeous colors in the predawn sky.

I arrived early enough to take my time recomposing...

...and recomposing.

The the moment was upon me, and I got to experience the thrill that never grows old of watching the sun slowly break the horizon.

One final shot, and I knew I'd already gotten to see something special in this magical place.

Related Links:

• Raʻiātea
• Mo'orea
• Tahiti