We flew in from Moorea and boy are our arms tired

[roostwear]

We spent my 50th birthday on Moorea and took a few pics. More as I get acclimated to being back
This is what I awoke to on my 50th birthday
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m1.jpg
Looking toward the ocean across Cook's Bay
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m3.jpg
Our hut. We were in the 2nd from the left
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m6.jpg
Yes, Shelley and I swam with the sharks
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m7.jpg
Found this cool little shack on the beach
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m10.jpg
Decided to rest for a couple hours inside and watch the ocean
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m11.jpg
Wound up with this somehow
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m12.jpg
The south side of Moorea looking at Tahiti... not bad
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m14.jpg
They love to water ski in Cook's Bay. I can't tell you how many times I wished I had the boats here
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m17.jpg
Damn tikis.....
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m19.jpg
That's all for now.....

[27 Awesome cat]

Great pics Mike..Oh and Happy birthday bro..

[Not So Fast]

Somehow an island tat with an electric device just isnt right :D I thought they would use the old warrior methods or something?? Cool looking tat though and the pictures are making me envious, very peaceful looking. ;) NSF

[roostwear]

I was going to have it done traditionally, but all the people I spoke with said it would take a week to prepare. The design is actually one Giles (pronounced like geel with a sofft "g") and I made so as not to disrespect any island designs. It's my "God of the rivers and biere" :D

[Not So Fast]

I was going to have it done traditionally, but all the people I spoke with said it would take a week to prepare. The design is actually one Giles (pronounced like geel with a sofft "g") and I made so as not to disrespect any island designs. It's my "God of the rivers and biere" :D
Just bustin your balls a little :D I have seen the TV specials about how they tattooed back in "the Day" and it looked very painful, I do like your design though and very jealous of your vacation. If i could ask whats ballpark figure for that all included?? Thanks, NSF

[Devil's Advocate]

Going in October, cannot wait. Happy Birthday!:)

[roostwear]

Make sure you have LOTS of money available. Everything costs at LEAST double what you think it will, and they charge you for everything. Get a place with a kitchenette and find out where the supermarche's are. Oh, and bring your own bags to get the food back to your place. They have plastic bags available for 100 francs each if you don't have any.:jawdrop:
Shop around! Prices on items vary drastically depending on where (and what nationality) you are. Beware of the French (not the island-ized French). Those froggy bastards will rip you off every chance they get. Take some FPX (Polynesian francs) not euros, and charge whatever you can since credit cards have a far better exchange rate than the banks.
The ONLY disappointing thing about Moorea (other than it being one of the most expensive places in the world) is if you're looking for white sand beaches. There are a few, and although ALL beaches on Moorea are public property, good luck actually being able to GET to a lot of them.
You can bring 2 litres of alcohol each into FP, and it is gold. We brought 2 1.75 litre bottles of Crown Royal in and paid $29.95 each here. Over there, if you can find it, they would be around $170 each. Buy a 6 pack of Hinano beer at Bevmo and get familiar with it.... it's the local Tahitian beer and unless you're a BIG baller, you'll be consuming quite a bit of it.
More as I recover.....

[wing-n-it]

Happy Birthday Mike,
Wow - doesn't time fly..........It seems like only yesterday that we were cruisin in the 54 hangin' BA's on the 405 freeway. :D :D :D
Congratulations on the wonderful vacation - what a nice way to spend your birthday.
Debbie & Lance

[roostwear]

Doesn't seem like over 30 years ago does it? At least the '54 was good for something, huh?:D

[roostwear]

Here's a few more...
Stingrays..... everywhere, and quite tame. Swimming with them off the reef was a trip. This one cruised by the bungalow 3 times each morning like clockwork.
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m21.jpg
Where ELSE would you wear a Tahiti shirt?
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m22.jpg
Snorkeling off the beach of one of the motus
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m23.jpg
The French
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m24.jpg
There was some THICK ASS forest, and the mosquitos LOVE visitors. Bring bug spray and use it OFTEN!
http://www.freeboardchallenged.com/moorea/m25.jpg

[Craig]

We had a great time there 5 years ago. I did like the Hinano beer, once I learned the local money and getting around the local stores. Yes it was kind of pricey but I'd go back. We stayed at the Intercontinental Resort Moorea at a beach front bungalow. We had an over the water bungalow in Bora Bora. I'd go back once I hit a few other different places :) Happy Birthday!
http://www.justanothertoy.com/photogallery/stuff/Moorea.jpg