THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT PT III

As I mentioned in a couple of earlier posts, the entertainment has been, well, very entertaining! Here's a quick synopsis of some of my favorites.

Joe Yannetty, comic extraordinaire. One of the funniest guys around, so quick and if you can picture this Boston-raised Italian, with his accent and attitude, it's only the beginning of his talent. Thanks for making me laugh so hard that my mouth hurt, Joe! (and sorry for the fuzzy photo)

Rebecca and Kuba, she sings, he plays. These two perfomers actually just got married. They met on a cruise ship! Rebecca has played the lead role in a touring 'Evita' production and has a voice that just won't quit. Kuba is originally from Poland, a clasically trained musician, which was a great jumping off point for his diverse repitoie of musical instruments. The main thing he played for us, however, was the vibraphone (the electronic big brother to the mirimba). They had a great chemistry together and were quite entertaining.

Tom Sutton, British comedian. Tom had a clever wit, and guess what - he's from Liverpool!

Jeff Nease, comedian. Hilarious, goofy and fun, Jeff has great insight on many subjects, and with audience participation, he really kept us in stitches.

Bernie Fields, harmonica virtuoso. This guy has perfected harmonica playing. He has done tons of movies, tv and other recordings. I'm sure you've heard him somewhere! Very pleasant to listen to. (and TK pretended to be a harmonica!)

Miroslaw Galczynski, MalletKat musician. What is a MalletKat, you ask? Pretty much like the vibraphone mentioned above. Funny, too, that Miroslav also hails from Poland. He also played the piano beautifully.

The Beatles Celebration, needs no explaining. These guys are all really and truly, from Liverpool! Luckily I got to see their performances more than once. Quite the talented quartet, I couldn't have enjoyed their shows more. (Paul, George holding TK, John and Ringo)

TINY KONA'S TRUISM of the day...We all live in a yellow submarine

RAIATEA

We pulled up to the island of Raitea, this time getting to dock at the pier (no tendering!). It looked beautiful from my view, high atop the eighth deck of the ship, as we pulled up to the dock. I took some photos of the area and was surprised at the newness of everything at the wharf. Looking out over the water on the other side, I tried to imagine how my day was going to take shape. It was a little cloudy, kind of looking like rain - but I didn't care. I had something else on my mind. Or should I say someONE? Lucky me. I have another 'connection' meeting me today. I do not know her, except to know her name is Sylvie and she had been a college roomate to a friend of mine who lives in Maui.

I had a bag packed with things for Silvie, including SEVEN books, some special shampoo that she wanted, and reading glasses for her mom. I had offered to bring her anything she wanted/needed from the U.S. (hoping, of course, to get a personal tour of the island). The ship was docked and we were off right before eight, the second people down the plank. I had made a sign with Silvie's name on it, and I looked ahead, and I see a paper with MY name on it! We were fast friends (the leis she put around our necks were ABSOLUTELY heavenly!) and Silvie had a day already planned for us.

We put all the goodies in the car and walked to the market across the street to get some water and juice. The town we were in is actually the second largest in French Polynesia, but still pretty little by my standards. There was quite a bit of traffic, but always polite drivers, lots of scooters, and of course, happy faces everywhere. There was also quite a bit of hustle bustle at the market - a forklift unloading pallets right at the front of the store - and tons of shoppers.

A little more background on the island of Raiatea. In ancient times, this was the meeting place for all things sacred. It was kind of considered the 'United Nations' of Polynesia, with the large marae (sacred ceremonial site) called Taputapuatea. Geographically, the island has a sister island called Taha'a, that is surrounded by the same reef, thus sharing a lagoon with Raiatea (and don't forget the motus). Taha'a is smaller and almost otherworldly, even though it's only a fifteen minute water shuttle away. It is known for it's production of vanilla (although it does grow on many of the Society Islands).

Back to our adventure, we hopped in the car and drove to Silvie's home (about ten or fifteen minutes away) and met her mom, Dorina and dad (nicknamed) Buddah. Her little niece Cindy was there too. They were so nice and told us we would be having lunch (let's just say feast) with them later. First, Buddah wanted to teach me how to pollinate vanilla plants. We took a short walk to where his vanilla plants were growing and he gave me a quick lesson. Then he put me to work and I figured I might be there for the rest of the day (and I forgot my insect repellant!). The vanilla flowers are so pretty, and it's amazing how the vanilla vines just grow all over everything. You can see the pods in may of the pictures.

We went back to the house, and all the girls (including three year old Cindy) hopped in the car for some sightseeing. We went to a (unofficial) botanical garden. It had some cool plants and flowers. TK swung from a vine and checked out some interesting plant life (including some crazy tree roots). Serioulsy, it's like a jungle, with smells, sounds and sights that were in a word - heavenly. I just HAD to take a picture of one of the local busses, too.

One of the places that's a must see, was the Taputapuatea marae. We walked around and read about some of the history and traditions of the ancient Tahitians. (I will spare you the cannibalistic details). After missionaries came, most of their taditions were abolished, as well as the physical attributes of many of the marae, thus leaving much of the workmanship missing. You can still get an idea from the pictures how HUGE it was, and some of the standing slabs were the spots where the chiefs would rest their backs against.As Sylvie drove us around her beautiful island, I took pictures of the coast and other scenery and then we headed back home for lunch. More info about Silvie's fam. Her dad is a fisherman (inside the reef) and the family lives on land that is pretty much a family plot. All the surrounding houses are family members. The property is right on the water, so their fishing boats are basically right in their own back yard!

We got to then meet Cindy's papa (Silvie's brother-in-law), Yves. (he's a deep water fisherman and 'Frenchman - meaning he was more French than Polynesian or Chinese). He decided he was going to 'open' some coconuts so we could have some juice to drink. I watched how he handled the machete and quickly sliced off the 'bottom' of the coconut to make it flat, so it could sit and not tip over. Then he went all around the top and sliced pieces off, kind of at an angle, which left a perfect spot to open an area about the size of a nickel, right on the top. This made for a perfect opening to swig down the coconut juice. And let me tell you what quick work it was for him to open a half dozen of those things!

The table was laden with fresh mangoes and bowls of rice, chicken and veggies, fish and pork. I also got to try a fruit I had never laid my eyes on. They called it a star apple. It was kind of purple on the outside, with a skin akin to a nectarine, but the inside was somewhat the texture of a kiwi. We ate until we were full, and then ate some more! And if that wasn't enough, Yves had made a cake too! Which we ate with ice cream, of course!

We dragged ourselves back to the car (after taking some photos first) and headed back to town. I was hoping to find a fabric store (who, me?), and maybe pick up a trinket or two. It was raining, but I was prepared with the umbrella packed in my bag. Dorina knew of a shop, so we went there and I bought some cute fabric (and went back and made a skirt with it that afternoon!). I also had an order from one of my friends on the mainland for some special perfumed oil, made only in Tahiti. We were able to find that at a different store (that's where I took the picture of the plethora of baguettes, which I thought was so cute), and in the end I was pretty happy at how wonderful the day had gone. Sylvie and Dorina walked us back to the dock so we could get back on the ship (mom was exhausted by that time) and it was SO hard to say good-bye. The specialness of the day wasn't over yet, however, as mom and I were each given two gifts!

I just can't tell you how memorable our day was, and it had EVERYTHING to do with the special people we got to meet. Words cannot express the thanks I have in my heart for these truly warm and generous people. Our five days in the Society Islands was ending, but the thoughts will linger forever, or at least until I return.

TINY KONA'S TRUISM of the day...in my heart forever and ever, the intoxicating islands of French Polynesia


*sorry the pictures aren't in order*

Bora Bora II

TK and I were SO excited to go ashore today and meet our new friends and see just what was in store. We ate a quick breakfast after arising early so we could be on the tender and over to the island by eight. We actually got over there about ten minutes early, greeted(?) by two sleeping dogs and I just had to get a picture (of one of them) - what a life!

I walked around the dock area for a few minutes, and lo and behold I see Elders Harding and Punu (hereafter known as Elders H or P), dressed in their recreation day attire of t-shirts and shorts. They were with a guy named Moses, who, I find out is the ward scoutmaster, clerk and institute teacher - probably a right hand man to the Bishop - as well as good friend I presumed. I find out that we are going out on a (somewhat) private boat tour, to include -get this- snorkeling, swimming and feeding stingrays AND sharks, plus a private motu lunch. WOW! I was so excited!

Bishop stops by and gives me some gifts and lets me know that he's not coming with us since he has to work at 11:30, but assures me that these guys will take good care of me. I find out Moses' brother is going to be driving the boat, and a young Japanese couple with their toddler son will be with us. We got to visit a little while before the boat came and picked us up and I was able to take some photos of the Bishop and Elders H and P.

Soon, a small boat (maybe 20 feet or so) speeds up to the dock and we bid our farewell to Bishop and hop in the boat. The driver/guide, as I mentioned before, is Moses' brother. I seriously can't remember his name because he was THE MOST bruddah*licious guy I have laid my eyes on in recent memory and my remembering skills were pretty much gone as soon as I laid eyes on him... therefore, throughout the rest of this post, he will henceforth be known as B*L (short for bruddah*licious). B*L was quite the handsome polynesian, with a boyish grin and a body...well, let's just say he had a BODY! He had this long curly hair, pulled back in a ponytail and was wearing, much to my pleasure, only a pareau. Tiny Kona was beside herself with the bruddah*liciousness that surrounded us (and I won't mention another word about it from my perspective.)

The elders and Moses brought along some Tahitian ukuleles and a drum, and once we slid out of the harbor, the boys start serenading us with music. B*L is so talented, that he steered the boat with his feet so that his hands were free to strum the ukulele! What a multi-tasker! There is a photo of the 'Star Clipper' sailing cruise ship we drove by that was anchored not too far from our cruise ship and the night before, the whole ship was all light up - so pretty!

We drove through the lagoon for about fifteen minutes, and B*L allowed TK to steer the boat. I also got a turn, but no pictures since TK was too busy flirting with the guys to get any photos of me... Eventually, we stopped at beautiful clear area with coral heads all around and the white sand refelecting the gorgeous turquoise of the water. TK is posing for some photos from the side of the boat before I got in to swim with the myriad of fishies. We hung out there for a bit, then when we got tired of that, we climbed back in the boat to go hang out with the stingrays.

We anchor quite a ways from shore, but the water in that area was only about three and a half feet deep, with a sandy bottom, in that area of the lagoon (not much coral to speak of). Before we were even stopped, I look in the water and see scores of dark gray shadows gliding all over in the water. It was amazing! The couple with the little boy got out first, and the dad had the little boy on his back, walking around with the rays. What a memory! I took a few photos and decided to get my opportunity to hang with (and feed) the 'rays. (Did I mention that B*L removed his pareau and jumped in the water in only his boxer briefs?! Enough already!!)

He was feeding the rays little fish and it was pretty crazy! They were swimming all around us, and I could feel their velvety texture as they brushed up against me. Quite an experience, I must say. I even had Elder H hand me the camera so I could take some close-up photos (TK stayed safe in the boat, not wanting to be some rogue sting ray's breakfast). There were also three to four foot reef sharks that were swimming by every once in a while. Kinda SCARY! B*L went so far as to pick a ray up and 'tickle' his back. (I put a photo of it on here).

When we were done feeding our new friends, we climbed back in the boat to head to where the BIG boys hang out, at the edge of the reef, where the water is WAY deeper. There were quite a few boats anchored around this one area, and people in the water with their masks and snorkels. We figured there was some action over there and dropped anchor and were getting ready to jump in to see what all the excitement was about. Right near us some jokester Tahitian guide decides it would be hilarious to pretend he was getting eaten by a shark! Ohmygosh, it was pretty funny (after everyone was scared out of their wits for a few seconds!).

It took me a few minutes, of watching dozens of the three to four foot reef sharks swimming all around us, to brave the deep waters and see what was below us. I looked through my mask down to the deeper depths below and see at least five 10-foot sharks swimming at the bottom! I'm not sure how deep the water was, I'm thinking forty feet or so, but it was a little too close for me! I stayed really close to Moses, just in case one of them decided to surface.After the thrill of seeing all these big and little sharks, we finally all climbed back in the boat for another ride, this time to our own motu beach and lunch experience.

As per usual, the boys kept up entertained with their musical talents as we glided across the turquoise lagoon. We ended up at a white sandy beach and pulled right up to it - all we had to do was climb out of the boat. There was a thatch roofed house, a picnic table and B*L laid out mats for us to put our towels on.

Then he got busy preparing our lunch while the little family splashed and snorkeled and I went beachcombing. There wasn't a soul in sight as I headed around the motu, only zillions of coconut palms and a lazy dog or two. TK and I then napped a little on our beach mat and enjoyed the gorgeous views from every direction. Off in the distance, I could see our ship, but most of the time my thoughts were a million miles from civilization. The smell of fish grilling brought me back to my senses, and I went to the picnic table, where The Elders were making palm frond woven plate holders and B*L was busy grilling fish and cooking taro wedges.

In between tasks, we were still enjoying music from all the guys. I wove my own palte holder, then some leaves were laid on it as the actual 'plate'. The Tahitian bread, with the other food, made for a scrumptious lunch.

After lunch, the boys started singing and playing the ukuleles and drum. It was very relaxing and I maybe could have even taken (another) nap, but then B*L decided he needed to entertain TK and I with some dancing. Let's just say he was very pleasant to watch - TK could not take her eyes off of him. The boys went to relax under the shade of a palm tree in the sand and share more of their musical talents. (main thought going through my head at this point? "please don't make us leave - PLEASE!")

Before we knew it, B*L started to run up the palm tree and pick a coconut. He posed for some pictures on the way down and then opened it up with a machete to let us drink the juice. After that I just had to go hop in the ocean and cool off for a while, and before long we found it was time to leave our motu and head back to civilization (but that word is used lightly here on this island).

With full tummies, happy thoughts and exotic pictures dancing in our heads, we slid across the lagoon toward the ship. Making a pit stop at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort to drop off our little Japanese family I got a chance to see those overwater bungalows up close. I know I will be back some day to enjoy one of those myself. B*L then drove us back to the dock and we reluctantly stepped out of the boat, bidding adieau to our awesome guide, thanking him for, truly, one of my best days EVER!

Back on the ship, it wasn't long before pulled anchor and headed toward Raiatea (you can actually see Raiatea in the background in some of the shots). I took some pictures of the island as we plied out of the lagoon. With so many beautiful visuals, breathtaking moments, happy memories and new friendships, my heart was full. I KNOW I will be back someday. Bora Bora was everything and more than I ever imagined.

TINY KONA'S TRUISM for the day... WILLLSSSOOOON!!!