Tahitian Honeymoon

For our honeymoon, we went on a cruise that left from Tahiti and stopped at 5 Polynesian islands (and one Cook Island). Here are some pictures. Please note: There are a lot of pictures here, so it may take a minute to load. If it looks strange, just wait a minute, it’s probably not done loading.

Our first stop in Tahiti was a black sand beach. The view from the back of the Ramada in Papeete. Holly at the beach. The view from the terrace in the lobby of the Intercontinental Resort, where the cruise company put us up. A Chestnut-breasted Mannikin enjoying the view with us. Playing with one of the resort's infinity pools. A view of Moorea from the back of the resort. Many of the beaches in French Polynesia are covered with pieces of coral that have broken off from the reefs. Holly making friends with the locals. The Fiat Panda we took off-roading in Huahine. Note the ancient temple in the background. Feeding the Sacred Eels of Huahine. Some of the bigger ones wiggled their way up the shore of the river to get more mackeral. View from a dock in Huahine. Walking along the beach in Huahine. Our ship, the MS Paul Gauguin. Aitutaki Island Council. We rented bicycles and rode around the island. An action shot from the back of Holly's bike. There was a monsoon in the vicinity, so the winds were VERY strong. Holly enjoying lunch on a secluded beach we found in Aitutaki. It's time for a swim! At a less secluded but more beautiful beach up the shore. Tripod! When we got back, there was a bottle of champagne waiting in our room for us. We spent time on the various islands' beaches every day. The is how the locals hang up their boats when not in use. The alter of an ancient temple, located directly behind a modern-day church. Holly wearing a flower 'hei' we bought from a woman making them near the dock in Raiatea. Here is a lagoon we 'discovered' while driving around Raiatea. Exploring the lagoon. A fairly well-preserved temple right on a beach. The temple is located inside of what is now a community park. Chris and a tiki statue A tree near the temple. Most of the churches in French Polynesia are built in this style. A church in Raiatea. Even their hymns sound like traditional Tahitian chants. Our ship at the dock in Raiatea. View of the dock in Raiatea from our cabin window. On a private motu (beach) the cruise company owns off of Bora Bora. A baby coconut tree! We were the last ones left on the motu before the all-aboard each day. Our trusty snorkel gear. On the tender boat leaving the motu in Bora Bora. The ship held a party for newlyweds and couples celebrating their anniversary. Enjoying a glass of champagne at the honeymoon party. Bora Bora at sunset. Chris wearing Holly's hei. The tiki statue in our cabin wearing Holly's hei. On a cliff overlooking a lagoon in Bora Bora. The view across the road from Bloody Mary's in Bora Bora. The tripod strikes again! The cruise company owns a small island off Moorea. Holly, watch out for that coconut! Chris relaxing on the motu. It's beer in a coconut, people! They don't call this paradise for nothing. Fun on the private motu. Urchins! Driving around Moorea in another Fiat Panda. Chris poking his head out of the Panda. The moutain known as Bali Hai from the movie South Pacific. The remains of a temple wall. Hilking through the jungle behind the temple ruins. Holly swinging on a vine behind the temple. We found a creek near the temple. There are faces carved on the rocks in the creek! Walking through a tree tunnel. A scenic overlook from the belvedere on Moorea. There are pretty flowers like this one all over the place in Polynesia, growing wild. We hiked through another jungle to find this waterfall. Chris relaxing after the hike. It's amazing we found it at all, considering the lack of signs on these islands. Another temple? Or just a pile of rocks? Fluffy clouds hugging a mountain. Sunset on the dock at Moorea. Waving goodbye to the mountains. Us on the couch in our cabin on the ship. We went on a whale-watching expedition while in Moorea. There was a humpback whale swimming in the bay. Our guide jumped in the water. Shortly after, he invited us all to jump in as well. While in the water with our snorkel gear on, the whale swam directly underneath us! Our newly-made bed (complete with chocolates on the pillows. Chris messed up the bed. Another view of our cabin. Back in Tahiti, on our last day of honeymooning, we were taken on a tour of the island. This isn't the biggest waterfall on Tahiti, but we were told it's the prettiest. On a bridge over a creek near the waterfall. A lighthouse. Another black sand beach! Everyone is there to watch an outrigger canoe regatta. Back at the Intercontinental, waiting for our ride to the airport. The view from our room. The plane that flew us back on our new favorite airline. At the piano bar on the ship, enjoying some music and a Mai Tai. Freddie, the head of hotel for the MS Paul Gauguin. Freddie made us a special dessert with crepes and a marzipan banner with congratulations. In the ship's main dining room. The premier Polynesian dance troupe of Tahiti. With the dancers after the performance. The aft deck of the ship, where we had breakfast every morning. Walking around the ship. Chris and Les Gauguines, the ship's friendly hostesses. They rain many of the activities on the ship and sang and played traditional music every day. Hands on a dinner plate. A banana tree! A rocky lagoon. In the ship's casino. Chris in the Piano Bar.