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Monday, December 1, 1997

French Polynesia - Moorea

Interestingly enough, I was given a chance to study in Moorea (right next door to Tahiti one might say) for three weeks, none other than during the smack middle of summer time there, which is winter time in Northern hemisphere.
Arriving in Tahith was a bit of a culture shock. Most airplanes seem to land there around midnight or 2 a.m., which is strange enough, but the airport is the queerest thing I've ever seen. Walking out of the plane, down the steps...immediately, you hear the guitars play and you know you are going to the right direction. You are then given a small Polynesia flower and directed to two little booth where a French immigration officers sit. Just imagine that! All I could think of...somehow...was the movie Casablanca. Don't ask me why I thought of it.

Sunset Over Moorea
If you are fortunate enough when going to Tahiti, I mean through the normal channels, not as researcher, you will end up staying at one of these beautiful hut on top of the water.
Moorea, the island we stayed on, had only one road and of course, that took us around the whole island around the once volcanic mountain in the middle.
Club Med huts
Hiking here is also quite interesting although I would highly suggest some sort of mosquito repellent. It literally was jungle out there.
Mountain of Moorea

I encountered my first truly big Tropical Hurrican in Moorea.
Wind literally blew over 200 miles an hour! Thankfully, the roofs of bungalows were all 2 inches from the wall to let the wind through and there was no big damage, but the sound of large wave breaking against the corals. It truly was something...
View form the dorm

This was a view from our little bungalow looking out to the corals and the ocean beyond...
Sunsets in Moorea was always gorgeous with the special iridescent colors that photograph cannot justify. It is something you have to see for yourself. And if you thought sunset was beautiful...you will fall in love with the night sky.  I literally saw a whole Mikyway galaxy just by looking up to the sky!
The living conditions were not so great, We barely got enough water...not even hot water I might add and hopeless plumbing, but we definitely had a great view.

Moorea and Tahiti Travel Guides:
Moon Tahiti (Moon Handbooks) Hidden Tahiti and French Polynesia: Including Moorea, Bora Bora, and the Society, Austral, Gambier, Tuamotu, and Marquesas Islands (Hidden Travel)