Category Archives: Daily Lime

Mo’orea Hike to Point Taraieie

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After 32 days of confinement we were finally free!  We were allowed to explore, hike, and ride bikes around Mo’orea.  It has been months since Matt and I had exercised our legs on a good hike.  On our first day of freedom, we set out on 6.7 mile hike straight up 85 stories (almost 1,000’).  Our goal is to get to the ridge at Taraieie.

It started out easy enough along a paved road, then behind one of the two local markets.  The paved road turned to a nicely manicured dirt road sandwiched between beautiful private gardens. 

About 2 miles into our journey it started to rain.  Not a torrential rain shower, but it was enough to force us into hiding for 30 minutes.  Now our beautiful trail turned muddy and very slippery over the fallen leaves and tree roots. Gots to be careful in our flip flops (yes, stupid I know).

Matt has always been stronger when it comes to a hike.  He is literally like a goat climbing a hill.  He spent most of the hike looking for me and waiting. 

Along the way we found lots of fruit trees.  The soursop fruit which is really lovely (sort of like a berry and apple flavor) grows right out of the tree branch which sure looks funny to me.

Many beautiful flowers bloomed in the shade of the tall trees.  These particular bird of paradise flowers had a beautiful iridescent glow to them when the sun spotlighted them.

We made it to the top with relatively no drama.  It was a beautiful view of Vaiare Bay.

The way down was a bit of a challenge for me.  I kept slipping out of my flips, crashed on my arse a few times, and felt the aches and pains of someone who has not being hiking in a while.  But a hike is a hike as long as you complete it – and complete it I did!

It was a great day to be out moving. But I will admit I was pretty tired by the time we got home.

We get down and dirty cleaning and repairing the boat in our last blog.  Coming up next, we rent eBikes to circumnavigate around the entire island of Mo’orea.

Events from this blog post occurred during the third week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Amazing Sea Life in Vaiare Bay, Moorea

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Our little paradise during confinement has provided us with lots to see and do under water.  We are allowed 1 hour per day to exercise which can include swimming, snorkeling, SUPng, etc…So, we spend a lot of time at the reef exploring all of the beautiful and crazy sea life.

As I mentioned before, we get lots of black tip sharks, sting rays and porcupine puffer fish.  The puffers like to hang out by the anchor chain as it rustles up food for the little scavengers.  But all three come up in full force when we turn on our green light at night.  I think the color intrigues them.

Occasionally we get beautiful spotted rays.

Matt and I find a very large, and healthy soft coral.  It is a big surprise to find her alone amongst the sea of hard coral but she is thriving.

Lots of sea life hang out in and around the soft coral.  This is also a favorite place to find nemo.  

Continuing on our snorkel we find several flounders (see 2nd image on left).  They can be challenging to spot when they are not moving, but this one caught my eye.

I also love the little black fish guarding his purple coral home.  He is looking right at me, just daring me to come closer (lower right photo).  

A giant sea cucumber can always be found within the abundant sea life.

SUP

We take the SUPs out when the seas are calm and the wind is not too crazy.  It is always cool to sneak up on the sea life (like the ray).

Did you meet Air Head Sally on our last blog, we try to entertain Wayne and Deborah during lockdown.

Events from this blog post occurred during the first week of September, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Air Head Sally – Blow Up Friends

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Flat Stanly has nothing on Air Head Sally.  We try to get creative to keep our friends entertained during confinement.    (Air head Sally helps us along.  No blowup dolls were hurt during this episode).

Air Head Sally is a happy member of our crew and really enjoys when we have guests onboard.  She practices safe measures during covid.

She loves to read and takes great pleasure when guests bring her magazines.

Although, she realizes now, that she needs reading glasses like the rest of us old farts.  Some find reading glasses sexy??

Always up for a good snorkel, she floats at the surface like we do.

Sometimes she gets overzealous with the vitamins…

But after a little nap she is back her old tricks.

Jumping into a good party like any good guest on Sugar Shack.  Of course she drinks hinano beer with the boys and manon rose (corte de provence of course)

The next morning, she takes care of business right on the bed (oops).

She just loves to cuddle.

She pops up in unexpected places.

Air Head Sally is so deflated when our guests leave that she actually tries to go home with them.

Just a wee bit of fun to brighten your day…like this rainbow over Tahiti

In our last blog, we try to entertain Wayne and Deborah during lockdown.

Events from this blog post occurred during the third week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run10-12 weeks behind our adventures.