Even though we have been back in Vancouver for a few weeks, we are still posting photos from our amazing time in French Polynesia.

We met the operator of a tour to "Reef Island" which is on the other side of the Rangiroa atoll. About an hour travelling in this fast, fast boat. There is no steering wheel, but a joystick up front.



Clouds and the cargo ship/cruise ship Aranui III rolled in at the same time.

"The Aranui III is a mixed passenger/cargo vessel that operates between Tahiti and the Marquesas. It offers comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations for about two hundred passengers. Passengers will be able to sunbathe on deck, swim in the pool, or enjoy exotic tropical drinks while the Aranui wends her way among the islands of the Marquesas with impromptu calls at atolls in the Tuamotu.

Length: 386 feet
Cruising Speed: 15 knots
Dead Weight: 3,800 tons
Capacity: 200 passengers

The name "Aranui" means "The Great Highway" in Maori, another great Polynesian culture."

The front half of the ship is for cargo - this could be anything from cars/SUVs to TVs to groceries - that have been ordered by villagers.



The Aranui III is hardly visible as the clouds get lower & thicker.



... and then, the rain let go! We ran for cover!



The ran came down in sheets & sheets for about 10 minutes. It stopped, we went back out to the dock to meet the tour. We met the captain's wife & son while we waited.



We boarded the boat and we were off! The Aranui III gets smaller and smaller as we head for Reef Island.



The wind had picked up so the lagoon had become a bit lumpy. It was just like an amusement park ride!





We get closer to our destination and the lagoon settled down a bit.



Our destination! A channel has been carved between the coral heads and the boat gets close to shore for us to unload.



We make our way along the beach to our first snorkel spot.



WOW!



Glenda is making sure that we have lots & lots of photos to keep the memory of this trip alive!



Our snorkel spot.... the water was maybe waist deep - only in the very center of the channel it was deeper.



Meet some of my new friends that I met while snorkelling!

These are the true colours...





... and yes, that fish has teeth! He was swimming all around me... panic? Heck ya! I wasn't sure if he just wanted to get close enough for a nibble!



There were two of these handsome toothy fish.



Whew! Saved by a coconut break! One of our tour leaders, harvested some coconut for us to taste.



We had fresh, fresh, fresh coconut! It is nothing like what we know as coconut... this is tender, sweet and not dry or chewy at all. Served in a woven palm frond platter!



"Doesn't taste like coconut!" Glenda has not liked coconut, until this exact moment...



We hiked to the outside of the reef. These are coral heads that used to be under the sea... shifting of the tectonic plates cause the coral to rise above sea level and eventually die. What's left is a coral wonderland.





Look where we are!



It is time for lunch! We are going to the point of land on the left of the photo. Where will the boat pick us up?



Right - no boat - we will portage! Right this way!





We just can't stop grinning. We are going to walk across to our lunch spot. Who's idea was this?!



Made it! The lagoon didn't get any higher than my shoulders.



For lunch we had - grilled coconut bread, grilled fish, teriyaki chicken, raw fish in coconut milk, & rice.



Beverage?



While lunch was on the grill... it was time to feed the sharks!



The game seemed to be, bring the reef sharks close to your feet and grab them by their fins.... you'll note that the tour guides seemed to still have all their fingers & toes!



This tour is "all inclusive" - after lunch, its craft time! We ladies are going to weave a basket from a palm frond...



We are having fun!





Almost done....



TA- DAH!



While the ladies were busy with basket weaving, the tour guides were busy with weaving some hats for the men!



Alas, it was time to get back to our ride home. It has been an amazing day.... again!