We waited eagerly at the "Arrivals department" in the crowded Tahiti Fa'a'a International airport surrounded by freshly adorned new arrivals, loads of luggage, surfboards and big smiles to match. We finally see Pam, Brian and Alan (aka Unc) and we noted the warmth of Tahiti's "winter" had taken its toll on them with all their luggage as they eventually come through the doors that we stared at. Within minutes we were together in the maxi taxi and on our way for them to experience La Condesa Del Mar for the first time. We arrived at Marina Taina where the yellow floodlights lite docks and you could see the shadows of the kids running around chased by the local boat dogs to join the fun. The sound of French laughter echoes through the marina as the boating parents sit under the lamp posts in the slight breeze waiting for the children to reach their bed time. All the boats are tied "med tie up" a style that, to our visitors means, having to walk the plank to get onto the boat. After achieving the balance beam, Condesa is filled with family and the many items Dustin and Mitch packed for them to courier to us. As the bulging luggage is unzipped, out spill the (ordered) boat parts, a shiny new laptop, gifts and treats that only slightly satisfying our insatiable need for any form of connection with our 2 boys and their girls. So here we all are in the saloon planning to live the lifestyle of the smiling Tahitians for the next 10 days. Our mornings were filled with fresh pastry, so that means when in Tahiti you have to eat French pastries. This ritual eased us into our plans for days of shopping / sightseeing and before we knew it the day ended with 'happy hour' at the Dingy Dock bar or on some occasions just sitting on top deck together where we could examined the glorious sunsets that make the world seem so right. It didn't take much to be swayed or rocked off to sleep pending on the swell. The first 3 days we had an uncontrollable swell echoing off the dock wall that made things a tad rough. He whose hum faltered, was busy with everyones safely on and off board each day, I am sure Pam Brian and Alan wondered what they had in store for the days ahead on the high seas. But I am proud to tell you that the balance bar was perfected by each of them and by day 3 the swell had eased, which meant getting on and off the boat via the plank was way less risky. The only advantage to this turbulent water was that the famous Teahupo'o surfing spot was pumping and the many 'disciples' of the 30ft waves flew in to catch their thrills off the life-threatening reefs. We, on the other hand found the mountainous volume of water rising and falling was an awesome enough scene from the safety of the cute little thatched restaurant many miles ashore. The sandy floor, cosy shack with lovable dog thrown in, served us the most memorable meals to accompany the view. No two days were the same as we covered the island in our minivan with our cameras at the ready. Every corner was yet another piece of this paradise and it made you wonder how many changes of water colour, flora and the fauna you snap before you would tire of it. We would wind up dirt tracks to the top vantage points above the clouds and make our way through beautiful lush valleys and into crystal clear waterfalls. Some of these sites we wove in through small villages where the dog is boss of the single road in and moves only when he is finished scratching and then at his leisure. We ventured off to Morrea Island for a day and did that island over with the same satisfaction if not more than Tahiti and as we returned home on the ferry the sun set seemed to come alive even more than viewing it from the land. We mixed it with the smiling locals at the Papeete town square and took advantage of the perfect weather to dine out in the beautiful Polynesian open air. And as with every other night we would quietly settle down on the boat as the lights went out one by one in the green hills that surround us. It was yet another time warp that brought around the last day for our family visitors just when we were getting the plank routine down pat, and the Dingy Dock Bar staff were on first name basis. The cabins of Condesa were emptied as fast as they were filled and we begrudgingly returned our visitors back to the airport before day break. Silently we saw them back through the customs check-in door that we welcomed them at, which felt like only yesterday. We, (he who had hummed all week) and I were off to hand in the keys to the trusty minivan and headed back with a lump in our throats to Condesa who was sitting quietly in the marina. In this morning light, long before the children are up to head to French school but not too early for the French pastries to be hot and on the shelves, things felt different. We waved to the jet as it lifted heavily over the marina, close enough for them to see us, but not close enough for us to see them. I know Alan will be saying yet again "Somebody pinch me". We were hoping they were happy after 10 days in the land where people only smile.