Kia Ora! Are you ready for PARADISE???

     Okay, before we take you to BEAUTIFUL BORA BORA we MUST review what happened before we took a day off to celebrate Giff's birthday.  We loved our mission tour of the Papeete, Tahiti mission and it required touching down on seven islands, training four different groups of missionaries for 6-7 hours a day, meeting with local media representatives, senior missionary couples, all stake presidents in the area and speaking at a fireside for over 1000 people! 

     Our days began early and went until late. On top of that there was a district conference and a stake reorganization, so please understand perfectly that these trips are not usually filled with play time. We LOVE what we're doing and it takes a whole lot of stamina, listening to the Spirit, reaching out to many people, and being totally present at all times. The only reason there aren't more photos of the "work" portions of our visits is that many of them take place in chapels and we don't take photos there.  Just believe us when we tell you that Bora Bora felt like a well-earned P-DAY!



      BORA BORA!   BASKING IN BONAFIDE BEAUTY!

 After landing in Bora Bora we took a ferry to the main island with the four missionaries. They headed home and we headed for Bloody Mary's--a unique and popular restaurant managed by a wonderful member of the Church.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner then headed to the Hilton Hotel aboard another ferry.  Many smaller islands surround Bora Bora--the Hilton is on one of them.

 

A selfie from our hut's bridge.  We were really getting into it all now!

 

 

 

 
 
 
 Here's our catamaran and "Teeny" our driver.  The water colors were out of this world.  So fun.

 Aboard the catamaran. We just let Teeny do all the work--we sail, we're sailors.

 A little kayaking never hurt anybody.  This is the perfect place to try every water sport.

 Fun just walking along the soft, sandy beaches.  What's not to like about this wonderful place?

 Here's our hut.  You could just walk down the stairs and into the water with snorkels and flippers.

 View from our deck. There were all kinds of fish and other fun things to see underwater here.

  If you have really good eyes you can see me on a paddle board--by the flag?  It was kind of fun.

 Here's an example of the food at the Hilton--as beautiful as it was delicious.

 You can see the Hilton's beach with over the water huts in the background.  So peaceful and nice.

 The next morning we met another member of the Church in Bora Bora--Morona--and his two musically gifted brothers.  They played and sang for us the entire day--as well as cooking lunch!

 Here's a sample of what we enjoyed throughout the BEST. DAY. EVER!  Truly heavenly!

 We set sail from the Hilton for a three hour tour, a three hour tour, and little did we know what would happen next!!!

 The boat was decorated with flowers and filled with food and coconut water--in the coconut. Cool.

First stop, sting rays and sharks.  Nope, not just to look at.  We jumped in and swam with them!

 I don't know when I've been more scared.  Giff was much braver.  I stayed very close to him.

 Here they are--all swimming together. Morona dove right in and started feeding them! "Come on
 in, the water's fine!"

 Those are actual, true life sharks and sting rays.  They must be pals because they were always swimming together.  Giff took a good look before swimming with them!

 There's proof.  I'm the one clutching Giff and trying to act brave.  I was shaking like a leaf.

Look at me go.  I finally let go of Giff and set out on my own--not far from him though.  It got easier.

 Boy was I happy to get back on the boat.  This little bird friend was happy to join us.

 Giff seems happy to be aboard too!  Bird buddy stayed with us till we moved too fast for him.

We made another stop to swim with more sharks.  Here's a video of them without us.

 Next, after almost being carried away in a rip tide while looking at coral--sorry no photos--we stopped at this muddy location.  Healing mud baths all around! I thought Giff looked funny. . .

 What goes around. . .Morona decided I needed a dose of the healing stuff too. Actually it felt good.

 There we are, the three mud stooges.  I had a cut on my foot that healed much more quickly after the mud.  Honest.

 Time for some liquid refreshment.  Ice cold coconut water.  Hit the spot! Next stop private island.

 The mayor of Bora Bora gave Morona this little piece of heaven.  This "Motu" is where he lives.

 

 

This view so inspired me that I made it my first water color painting.  Debbie Buckner is teaching a class in this medium and I'm loving it!

With these attractive and not annoying at all dogs.  Don't worry, the blood is just aggravated sunburn.

 Here's the natural firewood to prepare for our fish and chicken barbeque. What a trip!!!

 Here's Morona's self-made hut. Harrison Ford and the Kardashians have eaten here.  We feel special.

 Seriously, this little island is about the neatest place on earth.  Don't ask about bathroom facilities.

 How cute is this dining room?  Morona and his brothers are the best hosts, cooks and singers ever!

Look at their decorating skills! Put me to shame--but I loved every minute of it.  Gorgeous!

 This fine young man used to be the "town drunk"  Morona and his brothers invited him to Church.  The rest, as they say. . .He makes one amazing BBQer.  I know that from experience!

 As if there wasn't enough beauty everywhere around us.  this tablescape blew us totally away!

While the men did the cooking I took a little break.  Swimming with sharks tires a body!

 I could get used to this. Am I dreaming or have I died and gone to heaven?  Wait to see the food.

Banana leaf plates, fresh fruit, fish caught today BBQed to perfection. Coconut bread, raw fish salad, rice, chicken, I've never put better tasting food into my mouth in almost 60 years of living. Amazing.

 It was so pretty you almost hated to eat it.  But we got over that.  Another helping please???

 Entrance into Morona's haven. Don't knock over the whale bones as you enter.  So fun and unique.

 Lookout point for two?  Is this the cutest thing you've ever seen or what?  And that water!!!!

Close up of the whale bones and perspective from one side of the Motu to the other. Small but great.

 All aboard to head home. "Do I have to go back to another paradise the Hilton?"  This was awesome.

 

 When I say "All aboard, I do mean ALL!"  The dogs were not to be denied.  Yippy Skippy.

 Bye bye Motu.  Just another day for you and me in paradise. Hope to return someday! Wanna come?

 I'll never forget Morona and his Magnificent Motu.  It almost made riding with the dogs okay:)

 Here they are.  Yep sunglasses.  And yep, they loved me and wanted to sit by me.  Hooray.

 A bit of the scenery as we travelled back to the main island before heading home to the Hilton.

 It's just so beautiful everywhere you look.  We absolutely loved every minute in Bora Bora et al.

 Back home at the Hilton.  A few views of the huts--here's one at sunset.  Not bad eh?

 Truly heavenly.  You could snorkel all around these waters and see coral, fish and more.

 So quaint, peaceful, unique, romantic, delightful and heavenly.  We enjoyed the restfulness.

Hello from the Hilton at Bora Bora.  Everything about it was perfect.  We'd go back in a minute!

Just a sampling of the loveliness.  This was a rejuvenating day and a half.  We loved every minute.

 

 We took a short tour of Bora Bora with Church leaders.  This church suffered a mud slide.

 Here's a piece of land the locals wish could be a stake center site.  Here's to Bora Bora's growth!

 Saying good bye to Morona's dog.  I told you they loved me!  Must be my honest face:)

 Parting shot with Marona and his dog and nephew.  Very cute little guy.  Great family.

Talk about blue.  Every possible shade and all of them are stunning!

 

 

 

 Time to leave our bungalow.  They send golf carts to pick you up.  Even in the rain it was perfect.

 Our cute Mormon friend worked for the Hilton.  He gave us the farewell shell leis.  Cute guy!

 Bye Bye Hilton.  Hope to see you again sooner than later.  Thanks for a wonderful stay!

 The Bora Bora airport. Worry not, we spent  hours  here.  You guessed it.  Late plane.  Oh well.

 Time to climb aboard.  This plane took us from one gorgeous tropical paradise to another.  Ah, life.

 Bora Bora insists on blessing you with beauty every inch of the way there and back.  Exquisite.

 Seriously, it just never stopped giving.  We loved everything about this place--especially the people.

Even the sky  decided to be breathtaking.  Bye bye Bora Bora.  This time we mean it!!!