Manihi:

Our first stop in the Tuamotu Archipelago was an atoll called Manihi. There are about 400 people living on this atoll and they are very friendly and generous. The Mormons are here too - two young men in white shirts on bicycle. I think Utah sends them out for a two year missionary service. One is from Idaho and the other is from Tahiti.

The locals like to give gifts and so far we have been given two fish, some coconuts, a tour of a black pearl business, some baguettes, fresh oysters, and a hand-made lei that you wear around your head, but this one is made of little pieces of bright orange fabric, so it will last forever. We have been invited to a celebration tonight in the village. The French Polynesia islands all celebrate Bastille Day with France, July 14. They decorate their community building with woven palm branches, and have dancing and food; so that should be fun tonight.

Malou has adopted a coconut as her new puppy. She calls him Rusty, and Steen and I drew on some ears and nose and put on a bungee cord for his tail. Malou is doing very well and seems happy with life and with her new 'puppy'.

-Angela