A large cowrie shell (left) and two pieces of coral I found on the beach on Rangiroa. They were selling those cowries on the side of the road for $5. Mine was free with a little effort—and by not falling into the tide pools.
This is the small pier where the tender boat dropped us off. We were greeted with live tropical music.There were several tented booths with overpriced handicrafts.
Even in paradise there’s graffiti. I don’t know what this shack was—perhaps storage or someone’s home.
A storm rolling in at sunset over Polynesia.
At the time I took this, I had no idea what these were. Several islands later, I learned they were noni or nono fruit. I thought they looked like weird little pine cones. They don’t look like fruit; they look like flower buds.
Walking along the main street, you see many homes. I love capturing everyday life like laundry drying in the morning breeze.
The trees in the distance are what you call a motu, which is basically a smaller island off of a bigger island/atoll. There were signs and pictures telling you not to touch the dolphins in the area because you can pass disease to each other. Okay, so no swimming with dolphins? Check!
This giant weather-worn coral was the size of a dinner plate and was heavy.
There was very little shade on the main road. It was 89 degrees and about 80% humidity. I just wanted to get back to some air conditioning, but I’m drawn to heart-shaped things and just as I was ready to give up, I looked down and saw this beautiful coral, as if it had been placed at my feet just for me.
The beautiful coral beach. It looks like sand, but it’s all coral and shells. There are a few tide pools further down full of sea life.
The islands are all quite windy. There is a building behind the trees with a sign that claimed to be an artisan fair. It was long abandoned. I assume it was destroyed by a storm. I was disappointed because the main town was another 6 miles away.
I didn’t find out what these were. They were growing on the only shaded area at the beach. They curled up like green beaded bracelets.
A closer view of the motu.
Brightly colored coral bits were everywhere you looked.
I could have stayed on the beach for hours just looking at shells and listening to the breeze and hearing the waves crash.
