This was our bungalow at the Club Bali Hai in Moorea. Moorea is a small island near the main island of Tahiti (about a 30 minute boat ride). It takes roughly 1 hour to drive completely around Moorea. The bungalow had a glass opening in the floor and we could watch fish swimming below - very cool! Tahiti and Moorea are just two of the many islands in French Polynesia. About half of the people on the island spoke English.
		This was the view from the deck of our bungalow. The Club Bali Hai is located in Cook's Bay. Cruise ships dock in the bay periodically each week.
		Here's another picture from the deck of our bungalow looking toward the club.
		A sunset cruise leaves from Cook's bay three times a week. They take you out to sea a few miles and the islanders play Tahitian music while you watch the sun go down. Carolina's holding a bottle of Hinano, the "official beer of Tahiti."
		On the sunset cruise.
		The sunset was beautiful. This picture really doesn't do it justice.
		There's a place in the very center of the island called the Belvedere. From this lookout point you can see Oponohu Bay (on the left) and Cook's Bay (where we stayed).
		Another view from the Belvedere. The best thing about Tahiti is the weather. Even on cloudy days the air is warm and the water temperature never falls below 70 degrees.
		Another view from the Belvedere. Below us we could see miles and miles of jungle. The vast majority of the island is nothing but uninhabited jungles.
		One more view from the Belvedere.
		The native women wear a dress called a Pareo. It is a single piece of cloth about 4 feet x 6 feet. There are lots of ways to wear Pareos (at least 20) and the club holds a free class every week where the women can learn how to fold them into different styles.
		Pictures of Carolina in her Pareo. Pareos range from about $12 to $40. Some are see-through (for when you're going to the French beaches).
		Carolina and John in the lobby of the Club Bali Hai.
		Every week there is Tahitian music and dancing. Everyone gets a chance to dance with the islanders, whether you want to or not!
		Carolina doing her own version of the native dance in our bungalow.
		Here we are just hanging out.
		Carolina making breakfast. We had a fridge and a stove in our bungalow, so we went to the market ("magasin") and bought some food. Every day French bread is delivered to the market - really good stuff! The food on the island was great, especially the seafood.
		Every week the Bali Hai hosts crab races. Yes... CRAB RACES! People place bets on their favorite crab and the Bali Hai acts as the house. Sometimes the crabs jump out of the box and onto the spectators!
		There's lots of hiking on Moorea. One morning we took a seemingly endless trail deep into the jungle. After 2 hours of nothing but trees and creeks we decided to turn back. There aren't any dangerous animals in the Tahitian jungles.
		There's a large are of the lagoon where the water is only about 4 feet deep. Here you can swim with the manta rays. They are very friendly and will let you pet them.
		The rays loved Carolina. They would go right up an rub against her.
		There are many small islands (called "motus") around Moorea. This lagoon is hidden between two motus. One day we rented a little boat with an outboard motor and came here alone. Later in the week, the picnic brought us here again... but we found it first!
		Carolina relaxing in the 80 degree water.
		Bruno, the tour guide, showed us how to eat coconuts. First, you shake the shell. If you can hear water inside it's good to eat. Next, you tear the shell off of the coconut using a sharp stick or rock. Then you hit the coconut at a certain angle and it will split in two. It took Bruno 15 seconds to do all of this. It took me 15 minutes. Carolina still acted like she was impressed.
		The rays would come within a few feet of the beach.
		Ahhh... the good life...
		Our last day in Moorea. Until next time!