Our first island in French Polynesia is Raiatea...
Fun Facts...Raiatea, is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, in French Polynesia. The island is widely regarded as the center of the eastern islands in ancient Polynesia and it is likely that the organised migrations to Hawaii, New Zealand and other parts of East Polynesia started at Ra'iatea. A traditional name for the island is believed to be Havai'i. The islands of Raiatea and Tahaa are enclosed by a single coral reef, and may once have been a single island. Raiatea is both the largest and most populated island in the Leeward Islands. The island economy is mainly agricultural with exports of vanilla, pineapple and coconut. Faaroa Valley is a large and important agricultural region with the rural economy and the cultivation of vanilla supported by a local research facility. Pearl farming is also an important industry for the island. Raiatea meaning " faraway heaven" and "Sky with soft light".
A very rare flower called the Tiare Apetahi a nice white flower in the shape of a half petal Corolla similar to the petals of the Tiare Tahiti. This flower that has become the emblem of the holy island is still looking after this island, preserved from the modern bustles. A flower so rare it can only be grown no other place on earth.
Raiatea – Our tour this morning was with Bruno. I was a little scared of this one as the internet says he can be difficult at time, but I found him charming. I found he really tried to speak English as much as possible. We left the port for our first stop and snorkel with stingrays and sharks, but no sharks were seen today. The water was calm and it was sunny today. Bob and I just loved this tour and island. We then went to the Pearl Farm…this is quite an operation very labor intensive. I can see why pearls are so expensive. Next we went to the vanilla farm where we bought the vanilla beans to make a special surprise for all when we get home. The smells were heavenly!!! Off to the Motu for lunch again, this time the food was good but not special. Snorkeled in a small bay for a while until Bruno was ready to take us all up the island to the spot to drift snorkel…it was absolutely amazing…saw plenty of fish and two moray eels…wow are they big. Both of us were taking pictures, got a lot of good ones this time. Bob kept his eye on me as he knows I will go off course and get myself in trouble, so he has to pull me back sometimes. It's a good thing he was there.
This was are group. Fun group.
We got back just before the ship was scheduled to leave, cleaned up quickly to get to Happy Hour and the sail away. I bought flowers for my head, a ring of beautiful and fragrant flowers.
Tomorrow Bora Bora.....
Cherish The Moments, Love Deeply, Dream Big
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