Last day of a trip of a lifetime

March 8, 2013 - Friday

Take a look at the shoes Marty wore out.  She literallly wore the leather off, but they took her to some amazing places.

What would one do without good friends..  Cynthia and Jean drove to Cedar Rapids and picked us up at the motel.  It was a sun shiny day and not too cold - 37 degrees.  That is a little colder than what we had gotten use to.  We were ready and waiting for them at 10:00 AM to drive back to Cedar Falls.  A little side trip for a gallon of milk, and then home to see how Sasha, the cat, had faired.  He was glad to see us and found Dale's lap very quickly. 

This is what we came home to - not what we are use to, but defintely home sweet home.

We can not thank everyone enough for helping to make this a trip of a lifetime.  We had a great support team in Iowa.  Roxanne took care of the mail for us, the Relphs fed the cat and kept everything working, Sandy took us to the airport, Jean and Cynthia picked us up and brought us home.  Scott and Erin kept in touch as they sold, bought and finished a house in the time we were gone.  It was always good to hear from Paul and Angee and their school and work.  We are looking forward to seeing both of these families in the next week.  John and Carlene gave us tickets to "The Cat in the Hat" at the Opera House.  All of the kids made it possible for us to get a tour of the Opera House and an amazing lunch there.  We were so lucky that Jim and Cynthia were able to join us for several weeks and see Caines and cruise with us.  We had the best time.  It was fun to hear from all of you in the states and keep up with what was happening at home.  Raquel, Josh, Grace and Lance are the BEST hosts.  They opened their home, their adopted country and their hearts to us.  We can not thank them enough for all they.  Australia is a beautiful country with beautiful people and all of the Malin's friends were so wonderful to us.  Most of all we want to thank the Lord for not only making all of this happen, but also for His protection, especially when Marty was driving on the left side of the road!  He was with us all the way and we are forever grateful.  We are truly blessed!!  

Thank you one and all.  We hope you enjoyed reading our adventure and perhaps you learned some things along with us about lands and culture far away that we were never sure we would ever get to see, and up until this trip, really knew very little about.  It truly was a trip of a lifetime.  This last entry will bring it all to a close except for the memories that will last as long as we can remember them!  

THE END

Full day of travel

March 7, 2013
We arrived at LAX around 10:00 AM and had to go through customs, and then get a cart FULL of luggage from the international terminal to the domestic - which is quite a little hike when you have 4 check on bags, plus carry-on luggage to toteto the almost furthest terminal (alphabetical order and we were going to United terminal), but was good (Marty's comment, not Dale necessarly ageeing) since we had been sitting so long.  Our next step was to check luggage, go through security and find some lunch.  We were on our way to Denver and then Cedar Rapids.  Flight to Denver was no problem and we felt the weather getting cooler.  Denver was to be a short layover, but the plane was delayed an hour.  They switched gates and planes and we got into Cedar Rapids at 1:00 AM Friday.  The hotel was to have free shuttle, and is only about a mile from the airport, but when we called she had no one to come get us.  A taxi was called and the hotel payed that bill.  We showered and fell into bed at 2:00 AM - it was wonderful.

Last Day in Paradise

March 6, 2013 - Wednesday
We felt we had to make the most of the sun so breakfast and then a trip in the kayaks.  We paddled out to the waves and felt the warm sun on our skin and watched the little fish swim under and around the coral.  A quick dip in the pool to cool off, and then some sun on the deck.  We asked for a late check out and they gave us until 2:00 without paying extra, so we took advantage of that.   At 2:00 we checked out and were given shell leis.  We had 2 hours before our ride to the ferry so what are you going to do.

The view around the pool - so green and tropical

How Dale spent his 2 hours

Our ride showed up with a "tiny" little car - Dale says it was 1 size larger than a smart car.  Of course we had 4 large suitcases and 2 carry-ons;  the drivers eyes bulged and was about to give up and call another car, but we convinced him he could put one between us in the back seat.  Off we went for a 15 minute ride to the ferry.  Our driver is the grandson of Albert.   And you ask "Who is Albert?"  Albert pretty much owns all of the businesses on the island of Moorea.  He owns one of the golf courses, a hotel, transportation services (land and sea), excursions, car/bike rental and who know what else.  He had 12 chidren - one for each month- and 3 wives.  We don't know what happened to the first 2 or even the 3rd.   We are sure he must be a most interesting man who was born and raised in Switzerland and came to Tahiti and married a Tahitian, then came to Moorea to make his fortunate.  We got our ferry ticket and waited 45 minutes to board.  Since it was such a lovely day, we went on the top deck to enjoy the view and weather.  Marty is above enjoy our last veiw of Moorea.

The sailboats lined up in the bay.

Remember we are on the very start of our journey - it is Wednesday afternoon and we won't see a shower or bed until after mid-night on Thursday.  The wind is blowing and then all of a sudden a huge wave comes to the top of the ferry and drenches Marty in salt water.  So we guess we will have sticky salt water on us for awhile.   We docked after half an 45 minute trip and we were greeted by a little man holding a sign that said PORT.  He also gave us shell leis.  We loaded up the luggage and headed to the airport.  Problem is we were at the airport 6 hours before take off with our mountain of luggage and couldn't check in for 3 hours!!!

This is an international airport, physically larger than Waterloo, but even fewer people and less action... if that is possible.  This is the area where we will check in - looks active doesn't it?  There is also no internet to the US - couldn't buy it if we wanted to.  Also, it is all open air.  Since it was a lovely evening and we know what is ahead of us, we sat about 3 inches from the drop-off curb.  At least we were in the airport IN PLENTY OF TME and killed some time.   The only restaurant was a very limited "pick out what sandwich you want" type thing; the stores were closed until 3 hours before the flight left and so we ate and hoped we wouldn't get sick.  At 9:00 PM we checked our luggage and waited another 30 minutes before we could go through security.  About 11 PM Marty decided to go change out of her sticky sundress and put on some warmer clothes.  She found a shower in the womens restroom with a locked door and even a bench to put her things on.  That shower looked awfully good - one problem - no towel - not even paper ones.  Marty travels with her pillow and thought the pillowcase could be used for a towel - better than the salty sundress.  So she got a shower in the open air - no roof - and felt 100% better.  At midnight we left Tahiti for LA.

An 8 1/2 hour flight brought us to LAX by 10:00 AM

Sea and Sun

March 5, Tuesday

We awoke to blue skies and a warm sun.  Off to a heavenly breakfast and coffee on the deck.  We added some sun sreen and went snorkeling.  We have lots of little cobalt blue and yellow sunfish right under us along with black ones and little zebra looking ones.  They are so pretty among the coral- right under our hut.  

Taken from a photo - our bungalow is on the far right with the blue ink mark.  You can see the swimmng pool on the left.

The one with the ink mark - it really did look just like this.  Where the water changes color is where it gets very shallow and that is the coral ring.

Standing at our front door ready to go kayaking and paddle boarding.

We made our way to the coral ring - the lighter color water in the back of Dale.  The water is so clear you can see everything.  We got close to the waves breaking and Dale only fell once - pretty good for a beginner.  A quick dip in the pool, lunch on the deck and then an afternoon to do nothing.

Marty in the sea right off our deck.  The waves are breaking on the reef in the far background.

Something is in bloom - lots of bees buzzing around - they may be the beginning of some kind of coconut.

This is why one DOES NOT wear socks with sandals!!!

The afternoon was spent soaking up the sun, jumping into the sea to cool off and repeat.  Dinner was in Cook's Bay where we enjoyed prawns and Tropical Pizza.  The stars were beautiful and we finally found someone that could point out the Southern Cross (unbelievable but several we asked did not know and it is as big a thing as our big dipper), and, of course, we could see Orion's 3 star belt.  Another glorious day.  

Biking

March 4, 2013 - Monday

After breakfast we decided to go bike riding.  The resort only had one bike and one tandem bike - so of course we took the tandem.  We had never done this before and Marty had a hard time giving up ALL control.  We rode about 2 hours and the last half hour was in a complete downpour.  It was raining so hard that the water felt like pellets as it hit us.  We had our swim suits on so getting wet wasn't a big deal, but so windy and raining so hard that we were both glad to get back to the resort. 

One of our stops on our tandem bike ride.

We got back and Marty jumped into the pool - mostly to warm up and then we headed for warm showers.  An afternoon of hard rain forced us inside, but we shamelessly took naps and read.  Our friends from Minnesota had suggested Magahoney's for dinner.  We requested a courtesy ride and found a quaint restaurant with lots of locals enjoying the cuisine.  We had prawns (shrimp) cocktail with endive, celery root and lots of interesting vegetables.  The shrimp was whole - still with their heads.  Then Mahi-Mahi in a very rich French sauce with broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes and rice.  We selected the fresh pineappple filled with coconut ice cream drizzled with rum and whip cream for dessert.  So very South Pacific and very wonderful.  The skies looked like they would open up again so we caught a ride back to the resort.

One of the cages that the resort starts their clams in- they call it a nursery.

When they get to a certain size they move them out into the sea, but they are still very close to shore.  The blue and purple you see are the clams.

Our sweet home.

Every night between 5:00 to about 5:15 we would see these men and others go by in their  outrigger kayaks.  They are actually commuting back to home after a day of work.  Instead of driving cars, sitting in traffic and using lots of gas, they just get onboard and paddle their way home.  There is only one road on the whole island so when they put ashore they wouldn't be far from home.  What a great 5:00 rush hour.

Swimming with the sharks and sting ray

March 3, 2013 - Sunday

After breakfast, Marty suggested we have coffee out on the sand.  As soon as we sat down, we noticed fins in the water.  We were looking at 3 dolphins swimming along the shore line; guess they were out for their morning swim.  So fun to watch.  Then we left for our snorkeling tour.  This tour was recommended by the manager at the Radisson in Papeete, so, we really had no idea what we were getting into.  What a treat!!  First a quick ride down the road and then climbed into a small boat.  There were about 20 of us from various resorts.

Our first view of Cook's Bay

Our guide - Sicki.  This proves you can't judge a book by its cover.  The first thing Sicki asked was what languages we spoke - French, English and Japanese pretty much covered it.  However more would have been ok.  Sicki spoke these plus Spanish, Italian and the native dialict which was something like French, but not really.  All the locals speak French and all the signs are in French and a lot of French influence on the food.  Sicki is self taught and it was fun listening to him switch from one language to the next.  He showed us the bays, the pineapple plantations, told us the names of the mountains and the history of his island.  We went by the Bay of Opuncha where Captain Cook actually landed.  Then we headed for a small island near the northwest corner of Moorea.  Now we snorkled or actually just got into the water.

A seven finger shell - actually the animal is still alive and inside of it.  Sicki jumped in and grabbed two from the sandy bottom.  After show and tell, both went back into the sea.

Part of our lunch - tied to the boat for later.

Coastline of Moorea

Time to get in and enjoy the water; it was only about chest deep.  Neither of us had ever had an experience like this before.  The sting rays were everywhere and came up to us and really wanted to snuggle.  They were like big dogs.  Sicki had brought food (raw chcken pieces) and we literally had the sting ray eating out of our hands.  They are velvet soft on top and underneath and are sort of like sandpaper on the edges.  Their tails are scaly.  In addition to that, they seemed like they each had their own personalitites.  We spent a lot of time petting them, cuddling them and of course feeding them.  Sicki said we could touch their tails, but under no circumstances grab it.

In addition, there were black tip sharks - the tips of their fins are black - like they were dipped into an ink well.  The pciture above shows one sting ray and the rest are sharks - we swam with all of them.  

Lunch was on a little island and some of the sting ray followed us there.  The above is a raw  fish dish - tuna and marlin- with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and coconut milk.  It was very good. 

We also had grilled fish and chicken.  

She is preparing all kinds of wonderful fruits and French bread.

Chickens were running around everywhere; they got some of the coconut shavings and milk when we were done.

This ray wanted to join us for lunch.

As did this one.

And this one - he is looking right at you.  Their eyes are very human-like.

This was our view while we ate.

And eating - so good!!

And playing with the rays after lunch (3 of them surrounding Dale).

Sicki is showing us how to husk and prepare a coconut.

Grating the coconut before "milking" it.

Leaving our lovely little island.  As we headed back to the resort it started to rain - since we were all wet anyway it didn't really matter.  We spent a quiet evening at the resort and felt so lucky to have had just a wonderful day.

Kayaking and dancing

March 2, 2013 - Saturday
   Great breakfast and then decided to take the kayaks out to the coral ring and maybe beyond.  First you go through the really deep water and then reach the coral ring where the water turns turquoise, and at some points, the coral is actually protruding out of the water.  We saw all kinds of little colorful fish and Dale saw one big one jump out of the water.  While you are still in the coral ring, the water is so peaceful and clear that you can see everything to the bottom without snorkeling gear.  We got close to the big waves but they barely rocked our kayaks after being quelled by the reef; it was fun and a great way to enjoy where you are.  There were surfers over to one side at the breaks in th reef- they go out everyday and know where to go to avoid the coral ring.

We parked our transportation and then headed for the pool - this is the restaurant next to the infnity pool.

Marty in the infinity pool - we think the sea might be a little warmer - but both were great.

The coblat blue fish by our deck. After a little swim in the pool, we had a light lunch on our deck in our chairs that we didn't have to reserve.  Marty got a little bored so she jumped in and went for a swim, and, since we had an outdoor shower she could wash the sea water off before settling in for a short nap.  Life here is so exhausting. 

Dale with one of the "works of art".

Bungalows from the sea.

They put the clams in cages to keep them safe from big fish before putting them out to sea. 

We walked "over" these every day.  Clams are the blue.

A pretty yellow and black fish - we thought he was pretty even though he may be a Hawkeye!!

Our bungalow as you approach it.

Board walk.

The mountains over our resort.

Our evening was spent going to the resort restaurant and staying for the Tahitian dancers.  We had music and dancing.

One of the exotic Tahitian dancers.

Both Marty and Dale were lead up to the stage to dance - that is Marty's back.  There are no pictures of Dale since we were both on stage.  Believe us - neither of us had hips that could

move like the natives.

So colorful and so fun to watch.