Just a quick one - its amazing how one person's face with glowing with enjoyment during a show can totally make my night. One person smiling beatifically makes it all worth it.
------------------

Tahiti and Bora Bora

We had a night off in Tahiti - so 4 of us (Me, Nick, Rebecca the harpist and Jeff the tenor sax player and Rebecca's other half) set out to conquer a hike to Fautaua Falls, something I attempted on my first visit here two years ago and failed to do due to time constraints. So this time I knew we would have time! What I didn't know was that the weather was conspiring against us. About an hour and a half into the hike, just as we began the steep ascent, it began to rain. Not just rain, but a torrential downpour, as only a tropical island can dish out. It's green there for a reason, folks! We pushed onwards in the rain hoping it would pass, for about 20 minutes, but when the muddy trail began to become a river, we knew we needed to turn back for our own safety. The rain continued steadily for the next 2 hours as we made our way back to the bus stop near the trailhead, pelting us with huge unrelenting drops that left us completely soaked, and making the hills around us reverberate with thunder. Jeff attempted to pluck some large leaves to use as makeshift umbrellas, but succeeded in uprooting the entire tree to our amusement and Rebecca's utter horror. In spite of everything, it was still wonderful to be outside in the tropical forest, and even hiking in the rain was fun and thrilling. But it was a very bedraggled and mosquito-bitten group of us who sprinted the last few yards gratefully to the well-timed bus. The driver greeted us with a towel to wipe our feet on, though we still each left substantial puddles around us by the end of the ride.

After a hot shower, dry clothes, a cup of tea and a quick nap, Nick and I were ready to go back outside and make the most of our late sailaway at 9pm. The weather had cleared up by then, and we were able to sit under the stars in the big square near the dock and have an affordable bite to eat from the food trucks that always pull up there.

The next day in Bora Bora, Nick couldn't get ashore at all due to work. A brand new acrobatic act had come on in Tahiti, and most of the stage techs were required to help perpare their show, with extensive lighting and sound to be programmed and silks and hoops to be rigged from the ceiling. So I went ashore with Rebecca and Jeff, and while it was unfortunately another pretty rainy day, we still enjoyed wandering around town, browsing the tahitian black pearl shops, and even made it to the beach. It is unnerving to swim when one can catch glimpses of lightning and listen to heavy thunder, but we were assured by the locals that it was quite safe. I did some snorkelling and managed to see a huge octopus! What a thrill! I was a bit disappointed in the grey skies which masked what a stunning colour the waters of the lagoon usually are, but I still felt lucky to be there. I bought a bunch of tiny bananas to bring back to Nick, as well as a few other little souvenirs to make up for him being stuck on board. One last neat thing about the day was watching the local young men chase our tender boats in their canoes. They would paddle madly after us as we passed to ride in our wakes. It was really a fun thing to watch.

And now we are at sea once more! Four days in the South Pacific as we make our way back to Hawaii. I can't wait!
------------------