My Life on Moorea

Sailing Camp

2008-11-06T13:02:00.005-10:00

The kids went to their first sleep-over camp. 4 days/3 nights. It’s sailing camp but they’ll also be kayaking in the river, snorkeling with rays and enjoying the dolphin encounter. They get to sleep in tents on the beach. The camp is here on Moorea so it wasn’t too traumatic for me to say goodbye. There are a total of 18 kids between the ages of 5-12. We pick them up today. I’m sure they won’t want to come home but I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Arauna & Robynn Marry

2008-11-06T12:38:00.006-10:00

It was a classic Tahitian event. They got married at city hall and had the reception at their house. It was a family affair. 250 people from his side of the family! The really cool thing about Tahitian weddings is that they’re a group effort. You’ve got the men cooking the pig, women making flower crowns, the girls in the family performed a Tahitian dance. One sister made all the marriage outfits and the family bestowed a Tahitian name upon a couple. There was an open bar and a band. Tahitians love to dance and the party lasted long into the night.

Spur of the moment surprise

2008-10-25T13:44:00.001-10:00

James decides to rip the pandanus roof of the house and gives me 5-minutes warning.
Look. Isn’t it lovely?!
I’m so glad he decided to do this AFTER Cristina was done cleaning the house.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora

2008-10-22T08:14:00.002-10:00

So James & I finally stayed at the Four Seasons. It opened last month and were anxious to experience it. The resort is gorgeous. For me the big selling point of the bungalows is the huge bathtub that overlooks the lagoon. I was in heaven. And their spa is like a frickin’ cathedral. Beautiful. Unlike every other hotel, in French Polynesia, the Four Seasons is going after the family market and I’ve got to tell you, their kids club is great. I’m sort of sorry we didn’t bring the kids. Well not really, but next time, I do think we will bring them. Now having said that, I’ll tell you, I didn’t see one single child roaming the property. I really like this resort. It’s upscale but it is also very Tahitian in feel and I like that they haven’t lost that. I was also impressed with their customer service. They go out of their way to make sue you’re happy. I didn’t mean to be a pain in the ass but for breakfast, I ordered a smoothie. I had seen it on the lunch menu the day before. What I didn’t know is that the smoothies aren’t offered for breakfast. Rather than tell me, smoothies aren’t available for breakfast, our waitress Audrey, went to the bar and made the smoothie herself. It was only when she returned with my drink that she apologized if the smoothie was not perfect as she made it herself. She went the extra mile and I can’t tell you how much I appreciated that. It would have been so easy for her to say, sorry but smoothies are only served after 11am. I’m told the word from the GM down, is to go the extra mile and I saw this played out more than once.

So big thumbs up to the Four Seasons. I think they're bringing a new level of service to French Polynesia.

St. Regis Bora Bora

2008-10-22T07:59:00.002-10:00

James & I arrived at the St. Regis Friday morning and were given VIP treatment! This time we were treated to a Premium Beach Villa. We opted for the reef side. Bora Bora is famous for its lagoon but being on the other side with the waves crashing on the reef and the view of Raiatea/Tahaa in the distance is wonderful. It feels so much more wild. Love it. When James & I stay at the St. Regis, we never want to leave our villa. This time we did manage to make it over to the spa for a couples massage. That was a nice treat but now I’m irritated I didn’t buy any of the ginger monoi oil. We also made it to both bars for a drink and then ventured to the Sushi restaurant for dinner. Really great sushi. Expensive but great. You’d think there would be a lot of good sushi restaurants in French Polynesia. But there aren’t. Not sure why. I mean we have such great fresh fish. I digress. So back to the St. Regis. We got to visit the Royal Estate. This is the place where Nicole Kidman and her hired husband stayed on their honeymoon. The cost is about $15,000/night. It so happens, I had clients staying in a Beach Villa when Nicole & Keith were there. Their Villa is essentially was right next door to the Estate. Anyway, they told me there was a ridiculous amount of security around the Estate. Jetski's, armed guards, etc. She said, no one would have even paid attention to the Estate if not for the guards. So you tell me...Think Nicole really wanted privacy, or perhaps she wanted the exact opposite.....

Oh my, another tangent. Well let me end this rambling post by saying we had a super great time at the St. Regis and as always look forward to our return!

Fresh Eggs in Bed

2007-01-29T19:18:00.002-10:00

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As many of you know, James has lost his mind and is now raising chickens. Of course, that is a different discussion for a different time and best had over a bottle of wine. Anyway, there is one hen who has decided Fiona’s bed is a very special place. Everyday she hops through the window and lays an egg. Same spot on the bed everyday. A lovely little gem upon Fiona's comforter.

Stoned in Bora Bora

2007-01-28T13:28:00.001-10:00

(No, that's not me. I just happen to think it is a great photo of the Vichy shower)

So James and I were at the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa and ended up having the most wonderful treatment at the Manea Spa. It was a bit like pulling teeth to get him to join me. He kept telling me he wasn’t a “spa kinda guy.” I convinced him we needed to do this for business — explaining we book trips for couples all the time and I’m sure there are lots of guys that feel the same way. I just wanted his honest opinion so that I could tell others of our experience. I mean, I like to think that’s one of True Tahiti’s distinguishing features. We can speak from experience and we’re not afraid to tell the truth! So reluctantly he joined me. Earllier in the day I had a chance to go through the spa menu and I love that the staff at Manea Spa is absolutely willing to create exactly the experience you want. Don't see what you want on the menu? Tell them and they will work with you. They have been voted one of the Leading Spas of the world and I can tell you, they are my favorite in French Polynesia! So back to our visit -- We got to the spa early and changed into pareos. James had never been in a sauna so I poured us two glasses of cold lemon water and in we went. As I sat back and took in a deep relaxing breath, he looked at me with dismay and said, “You’ve got to be kidding. You actually like this? This is f**king hell.” I had to laugh because he’s kind of right. I mean saunas do take some getting used to. We gave it a couple minutes then hung out a bit in the relaxation room. I tell you this spa has the most tranquil setting imaginable. The resort is on a motu (an islet within the lagoon) and the spa is on a motu within the motu. We were surrounded by a lake filled with waterlilies. It’s gorgeous. After having a few good laughs, our attendants arrived and escorted us to the outdoor vichy shower. We disrobed and the rain shower began. James was eying me as he still wasn’t too sure about the whole thing but sooner than later, I could see him starting to relax . We received a soothing body scrub with intermittent bursts of rain shower and by the time we were done, our skin felt like silk and we were ready for our hot stone massage. I had never had a hot stone massage before and I have to say the experience far exceeded anything I had imagined. They use smooth Tahitian stones of varying sizes. Because the stones are volcanic, they retain a tremendous amount of heat. Mixed with the monoi (coconut) oil, the stones are warm and soothing. With the expert care of my therapist, the pressure & warmth of the stones literally performed miracles on my body. I actually could feel the stress leaving. I kept falling in & out of consciousness and 80 minutes later when I was gently brought back to reality, I had to laugh. My husband was happily snoring away....

Great Time with Good Friends

2006-08-27T11:22:00.000-10:00

Had a super great time the other night. Our friends Larry & Kincaid were here from LA with their kids (Dylan, Zuzu, Astrid, Chance & Jake). While they were out snorkeling by the motu their first day they discovered a hidden gem of a place. It is a place for private parties and you need to be at least 10 to book their services. Together with Fiona & Dushan we were eleven so we were in!

We were picked up by outrigger canoe and arrived at sunset. Tiki torches set up on the beach, the table set and plenty of room for the kids to play. Maire & her husband Jean-Pierre did a great job. Dinner was delicious, the experience fantastic and hey...;if it was good enough for Bill Gates’ 50th birthday party here, I guess it was good enough for us. Returning to the hotel by outrigger canoe, I was in awe of the night sky. So many stars. It was one of those evenings that reminds me of how lucky I am to live here.

Here’s hoping the Bauldauf-Jones clan can make this an annual trip!

A Wedding in Paradise

2006-08-27T10:40:00.000-10:00

Yesterday I had a special honor. I had helped organize the wedding of some clients named Jackie & Chris. They came from California and their families came from China. We organized a Polynesian wedding and incorporated the blessing of a Protestant minister. The wedding was planned for 4:30 on the beach. The weather was perfect, the bride was gorgeous and I walked away feeling so honored to have been a part of it all.

My thanks to Jackie & Chris. I wish you a great happiness in your life together!

First Day of School for Dushan

2006-08-16T20:44:00.000-10:00

WOO HOO!!!!! Today was the first day of school.
Actually I can barely believe Dushan is old enough to go. He turns three on Oct 1st and has been dying to go to school so he can wear his new Superman shirt. This morning as soon as he woke up, he ran to to his closet, put on the shirt and was as happy as could be. Yep, Superman is his man. He is going to be ecstatic to see the new school sack I bought him. It just arrived via FedEx. It’s a Superman backpack but the “S” comes off and he can wear it as a breast plate plus there is a red cape attached to the backpack. Oh it’s quite a backpack. Meanwhile Fiona just got her Princess backpack. It is a really cheesy number — pink with Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty. Their gowns are sequined. It is truly nasty but before she fell asleep she said, “Oh mom thank you so much. I love you.” What can I say... You can take the kids out of the US but you can’t take the US out of the kids.

Our New Puppy

2006-04-14T17:10:00.000-10:00

Skippy the 3-legged dog and Buddy the boxer now have a playmate. His name is Boo and we just picked him up on Tuesday. He’s a pure bred English Cocker Spaniel and I think James & I are actually more excited than the kids.

Sunday Morning at the Market & a Reflection on Aging

2006-04-09T09:12:00.000-10:00

Dushan woke me up at 6am screaming for titi (his bottle). We had run out of milk and as I was throwing on some clothes, I realized it was Sunday. “Oh shit, I hope we’re not too late.” You see an interesting thing happens in the little village markets dotted all over the island on Sunday. It’s the day they make specially prepared dishes of ma’a Tahiti & ma’a Tinito.

That would translate into Tahitian food & Chinese food and you have to get to the market early or it will be gone. I can’t tell you how many times, I have gotten there at 7am only to find my favorite pua roti was already sold out. Each market makes different things. Our market Magazin Varari has yummy pua roti (roated pork) and poe, which is made of mashed up fruit and cornstarch and sits in coconut milk. It may sound kind of weird but it’s actually quite delish is a comfort food sort of way. The kids favorite is fifiri (Tahitian donuts).

As you can see from the photos, people literally crawl out of bed and head to the market. Imagine, standing room only at 6am!

I’m kind of bummed, I was hoping to catch some women in their nightgowns today. Instead I can just show you the beloved bathing suit top & pareo look. However, my personal favorite is the playtex bra & pareo. And please, the heavier you are the better. I don't say this in a critical way. In fact I am extremely envious.

Tahitian women typically start out so thin and gorgeous but many (not all) take to heart the concept of eating for two once they become pregnant and that continues with the next 8-12 kids they have. Think of how wonderful that must be! Clearly they accept their large new bodies or why else would they go the market in an overflowing bikini top?! They have grown up in bathing suits & pareos and there is no reason that should change as they grow older and larger. One day, I tried to explain botox to our nanny Elvina. When I was finished, she looked at me and asked why I would you such a thing. I said to look better/younger. She really didn't have a response but I could see in her eyes she thought I was nuts. And you know what, I am. I can't tell you how much I wish I could embrace aging the way Elvina and so many other women here do. I don't think they even think about it. Who knows maybe with time, their attitude will wear off on me. You'll know I have reached the point of contentment when the next time you come to visit and ask to borrow some clothes, all I have to offer are Playtex bras & pareos...

Le Taha'a Private Island & Spa - Trip Report

2006-04-02T12:19:00.000-10:00

I just got back from Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa and I do believe it gets more beautiful each time I see it. This truly is a deluxe resort.

People always ask me which is the best bungalow category? And the good news is literally every single bungalow is great. All of the bungalows are exactly the same in terms of size & layout. I will however tell you that, of the Overwater Bungalows, the “best” would be one of the 3 Premium Overwater Bungalows. They would be the bungalows at the end of the pontoon so you have total privacy. But realize we are talking in degrees here. Every bungalow is designed to provide maximum privacy.
Beyond the 3 premium, my preference would actually be the least expensive Taha’a Overwater category. I like having the main island of Tahaa to look at. For me it is more interesting than just looking at the Horizon. The bungalows that look primarily at the horizon are the Sunset Bungalows. Of course, as the name states you do get the Sunset view (however many of the Taha’a also face in the direction of the sunset, you just can’t guarantee it). Just keep in mind, the Sunset Bungalows also get hot afternoon sun. The Bora Bora Bungalows are named because they get the view of Bora Bora. You do need to realize, it is not a straight view. Bora Bora is off to the left and can often be obscured by clouds. While it is a lovely view, it is personally not worth the upgrade to me from the Taha’a OWB’s. In addition, the Bora Bora Bungalows get more wind than the others.

Next are the Beach Villas and they are fantastic. There are 12 and they are fully enclosed within a gorgeous rock wall. The have an outdoor bath (very romantic) off of a huge bathroom. On the other side of the garden off of the living room is a large plunge pool and fare pote for outdoor dining. The entire bungalow opens up to the beach. My preference are the beach bungalows to the left of reception on the opposite side of the spa.

Normally when I’m here, I spend much of my free time underwater scuba diving with Stephan of Blue Nui but this time I had way too much work to do and decided to pamper myself in the spa. First let me tell you that the Manea Spa here is idyllic. The massage fare totally opens up to a saltwater lake. The atmosphere is so incredibly serene. I decided on the vanilla massage and Hohoa Patitifa facial. I was originally going to go for the massage in the lagoon but opted out at the last minute for something a bit more private. My massage therapist was Nadia and she was fantastic. Nice firm touch and so fluid. I was completely unaware of when the massage ended and the facial began. The facial was so lovely. She used things like milk with hibiscus & rose, there was a pineapple face pack and other things using locally produced vanilla. When Nadia was finished working on me, I sat up to see the sun setting behind the reef. The rays of the sun filled the sky in a vision of pale pink & blue. In between was the calm of the salt water lake. It was a magical moment and wouldn’t you know my camera had just run out of batteries!

At Le Taha’a I always find myself admiring the architecture and storing up ideas for the home we are hopefully going to begin construction on by the end of the year. The restaurant is built up in the trees so you have this wonderful view of the resort and lagoon beyond. There are 3 restaurants at the resort and all are excellent.

I decided to have lunch delivered to my overwater bungalow. I had a Caesar’s salad and it was happy to see an authentic Caesar. They brought it to my fare pote (thatched seating area on the outdoor terrace) and the setting was just gorgeous. The sun sparkled diamonds on the lagoon. I could see the point in the lagoon where it suddenly gets much deeper. The mark is distinct as the colors change from turquoise to sapphire and just beyond was the main island of Tahaa.

One of my favorite things to do when staying at Le Taha’a is to kayak over to the coral garden. Well maybe I should rephrase that: One of my favorite things to do is to have James paddle us over to the coral garden. Since he wasn’t with me, I opted out. But really, it is something you should do if you ever make it out here.

My one complaint with the resort and damn I wish I didn’t have to say this, because I have always considered Le Taha’a the best of the deluxe 5-star resorts, is that this time around the service of the staff behind the front desk was inconsistent. Some were so helpful (exactly what I would expect of a resort of this caliber) while others had reached that level of “fiu” were they just couldn’t be bothered. It really is a pity as staff at the front desk is so important because of the contact they have with guests. But I don’t want to place too much emphasis on a couple of bad apples as overall the service was excellent. My phone wasn’t working properly and maintenance was right there with a new phone. Room service was prompt in delivering lunch and also prompt in retrieving the dishes which is great because I really do hate seeing dirty dishes sitting around for ages. As I mentioned earlier, Nadia and everyone at the spa was so charming and extremely helpful in helping me to decide which spa services to get. I did get to spend some time with Stephan the manager of the Blue Nui Dive Center and he continues to remain so friendly and accommodating.

As I finish up this report, I am on Air Tahiti heading home to Moorea. I’m anxious to get home to my babies.

Vahine Island - Trip Report

2006-04-01T16:12:00.000-10:00

Vahine Island is much more than a resort, it is an experience. The service at Vahine Island can compete with any of the big 5-star resorts and in many ways they come up on top.

Upon arrival I was greeted with a fresh cloth and a tropical juice. Marie-Laure the manager took the time to show me around the property. You can tell a lot about an hotel by looking at the faces of the employees and I do not exaggerate when I say everyone working there is smiling and all greet you with a warm bonjour or ia orana.

The first thing that absolutely overwhelms me about the resort is the lawn. It may be hard to imagine, but motus are islets within the lagoon and naturally they are wild and overrun with coconut trees and shrubs. The ground typically is filled with many large crab holes. At the finest resorts you will see the motus landscaped with a variety of plants but never have I seen acres of green lawn and that is exactly what you see at Vahine Island. Imagine a coconut plantation covered with golf course quality grass. I asked the about it and apparently the motu always had grass, it has simply been cared for and cultivated over the years and I can tell you the result is stunning. I have been to many motus in my life and the beauty of this motu is exceptional.

The property is 10 acres, yet they only have 9 bungalows. There are 3 Overwater Bungalows, 3 Beach Bungalows and 3 Deluxe Beach Suites. This fact alone is important because there is an intimacy and sense of exclusiveness you feel while at Vahine Island. When you consider at any given time the maximum number of guests is 18, you will begin to understand how they are able to compete on a service level with any of the 5-star resorts. To give you an example of what I am talking about: There is a friendly Tahitian named Toromona at Vahine Island. He is in charge of activities and he gives new meaning to the term activities director. He is not there to simply tell you where the good snorkeling is, he is there to show you. Want someone to take you out on the pirogue do do some fishing? Toromona is your man. Want to learn about coconuts, drink their juice and eat their fresh meat? Well Teramona will grab his machete and serve it up fresh.

Vahine Island exhibits a charm & style of old world Polynesia. It is the real deal. The bungalows are made with local materials. No marble baths here. Yet it is the simplicity of local Tahitian style that is such a huge part of the charm. Think Robinson Crusoe with really comfortable and spacious bungalows, a 5-star chef and a staff whose sole purpose is to make sure you enjoy yourselves. Vahine Island hasn’t been sanitized by modernity. The have mastered a lovely balance that involves a unique Tahitian escape, with fine dining and a few key modern conveniences such as telephone, internet & TV should you want it. And how much detail shall I go into about the food?! From the homemade vanilla yogurt, to the tuna tartare with lemon cream sauce and the delectable profiteroles, the cuisine is exceptional. In addition, the intimate open air restaurant looks out to the turquoise lagoon with the view of Tahaa beyond that. The setting is simply sublime.

I am writing this from my beach suite bungalow with a picture perfect view of Bora Bora in the distance . They call this a Deluxe Beach Suite but I am literally right at the water’s edge. I can jump from my deck into the water with no problem. To my left is a little sand drift within the lagoon. On it sits two lounge chairs. It looks like a little oasis unto itself. To my right is the reef. I can see & hear the crashing of the ocean waves. Behind me is the lush green lawn covered with coconut trees. The bungalow is so spacious. It’s a pity I left James, Fiona & Dushan at home as this bungalow is definitely big enough for the 4 of us and what fun we would have had here.

I slept last night will all the windows and doors open. I was soothed to sleep by the breeze of the trade winds and the crash of the surf in the distance. I woke up so happy to be here and yet so sad I to know I must leave today.

Vahine Island may not be for everyone. There is no a/c and I know that’s important to a lot of people, especially Americans but I speak the truth when I tell you it absolutely was not needed and yesterday was hot, very hot. During the day, I turned on the ceiling fan. Combined with the trade winds, it was more than enough.

Many people are under the impression that Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa is the ONLY hotel in Tahaa. Not true. And the unfortunate thing is, those people who can’t afford Le Taha’a often end up passing on the island entirely. I’m here to say, that is a mistake. There is a wonderful alternative. It is an absolutely incredible place and it is called Vahine Island. Vahine means woman in Tahitian and for now, I will carry her in my heart. I look forward to the day I can return...

Hotel La Pirogue in Tahaa

2006-03-31T15:44:00.000-10:00

It is early morning as I write this and I am currently in Tahaa. I’m sitting in the wonderful open air bar of Hotel La Pirogue, looking out to the blue lagoon with the main island of Tahaa in the distance. I am here for site inspections and arrived last night. La Pirogue is a charming little hotel with just 8 bungalows (5 Garden & 3 Beach). Located on a motu, it is 30-minutes by boat from the airport in Raiatea.

La Pirogue has a classic Tahitian feel. The bungalows are very simple but comfortable. The have a nice deck with teak lounge chairs, a queen size bed with mosquito netting, no a/c but they do have a ceiling fan. Unfortunately my fan was working rather slowly. All of the bungalows face the lagoon and look out towards the main island of Tahaa. The property however, goes all the way to the ocean side of the motu so you can also experience the more wild side of the motu. It is a great place to look for shells.

For me the highlight of La Pirogue is the open air bar and the delicious cooking of Giuliano the owner. He is an excellent chef and unlike many small hotels which have to limit the number of hours the restaurant is open, Giuliano will prepare a limited bar menu for you any time of the day. In addition they also provide the same bar menu as room service.

La Pirogue is a great little hotel for people not wanting to break the bank.

Bora Bora and Beyond

2006-03-30T17:13:00.000-10:00

Living in Moorea, I have had the undeniable privilege of visiting most every island & atoll in French Polynesia that has an airport and many that don’t even have that. There are 118 islands and each island is unique, carrying its own special charm. I can say without question that each island is truly magnificent.

Most Americans find themselves going to Moorea & Bora Bora. Some actually make it to Huahine or Tahaa and even fewer make it to the Tuamotu or Marquesas islands. Often when the vacation or honeymoon is in the early planning stages, I’m asked which is the best island? How do Moorea & Bora Bora compare? Should I do Huahine or Tahaa? And what about Manihi vs. Tikehau? The fact is every island is beautiful and the good news is that there is no wrong choice. I often tell people to go with their feeling. If you had the feeling to go to Huahine then that is where you should go. Don’t analyze it. Just go for it.

From my perspective, the biggest problem is that too many people, view a trip here as a once in a lifetime occurrence. Granted most people are unlikely to spend the kind of money on future trips that they spend on their honeymoons and that is OK. It makes sense that honeymoons should be an indulgence. I like splurging as much as the next person but it is simply not necessary to break the bank in order to experience paradise. Yes, we all hear about the rooms in Bora Bora that go for $1000+. And you know what, that too is OK. There are a lot of people in the world with a lot of money and god bless the people who can afford to do Bora on the high end. Of course some will say those prices are a travesty and talk longingly about the way Bora Bora once was. I absolutely understand their point of view. It is difficult to watch development occur in an area that was once so pristine and untouched. The fact is, Bora Bora was a hard secret to keep! I do however want to point out two other perspectives:
1) It is not necessary to spend a fortune to experience Bora Bora! There are actually some lovely moderately priced hotels. You just can’t be sucked into thinking the only way to do Bora is the expensive way.
2) There are 118 islands. Bora Bora does not have the monopoly on beauty. Yes, it is gorgeous — breathtaking even, but it is just one of many gorgeous islands.

The truth is, I would be hard pressed to tell you which island I think is most beautiful.

Last year I surprised James & took him to Bora Bora for his birthday. It had been many years since he had last been there. Now mind you, James was ticked off when they decided to put street lamps on part of Moorea so I was very curious to see what he would think of Bora Bora. Well he loved it. Cruising across her turquoise lagoon, James looked at me and said “Bora Bora has its reputation for a reason, this lagoon really is incredible.” We are lucky, because of the business we get to stay in all the best hotels for free and for us it is a great escape to be able to indulge in the luxury of Tahiti’s finest. Let’s face it, it’s wonderful to sip champagne from the deck of your overwater suite but you know what? There are times when I want luxury and there are times when I want a more pristine remote experience. Is one experience better than the other? No. Both experiences are vastly different and equally valued in my book.

Many people ask if I have a favorite island. In fact is, this is a hard question to answer as I am able to appreciate each island for its unique qualities. However, there is a place that possesses a bit of magic for me. It is a little atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago called Ahe. Is Ahe for Everyone? Absolutely not. There are no hotels. Just one very simple but charming little pension called Coco Perle. It is where I like to go with my family when I need a true vacation. I leave my computer at home and for a brief moment in time, I have no phone, no TV and no email to respond to. I spend the day with James & the kids looking for shells along the reef, playing in the lagoon and having hermit crab races. We eat pahua (a sort of clam) fresh from its shell and drink coconut water while sitting in the lagoon. It truly is our little paradise. But you know what, before I discovered I Ahe, I thought the southern part of Fakarava was my favorite and before that, I was in love with Tikehau and before that it was Tahaa. Meanwhile, James has a different list of favorites. So you see my point is, the more you discover Tahiti & Her Islands, the more you will be able to find YOUR perfect paradise. And who knows, you may find yourself in love with more than one island and would that be so bad?!

Restaurant Le Sud

2006-03-24T21:06:00.000-10:00

Long week at work and my new routine is a massage every other Friday then a nice glass of wine with James and the kids. Tonight we chose Le Sud as the location to unwind. Located in Maharepa and within walking distance of the Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa, Le Sud is a great casual restaurant with open air and a relaxing ambience. You can order take-out pizza or as we suggest, stay and enjoy the menu with specialties from the south of France. James ordered the Pacific Plate which is a wonderful seafood sampler that includes, tuna, swordfish, lobster and and all sorts of other good things. I ordered the tuna carpaccio and it was delicious. Next time you’re in Moorea, you must stop by for dinner. Tell Leon the owner, that Laurel & James sent you and be sure to tell him you want ketchup with your fries! You see, Leon is very French and finds it to be so American that we like ketchup with ours. In spite of the fact that he prefers mayo, we think Leon is a great guy and definitely recommend stoping by his restaurant.

If you're not staying within walking distance, you can always phone and ask for a pick-up.

Restaurant Le Sud
phone: (689) 56 42 95
email: leon.g@mail.pf

To the woman who makes it all possible!

2006-03-24T02:30:00.000-10:00

OK, so this is not a recent photo of the kids. In fact it is over a year old but I happen to like the photo of Elvina. Elvina is our nanny and if it weren’t for her, I would get nothing done. I pick her up after dropping Fiona off to school at 7am. Coming home, she proceeds to clean the house in a whirlwind fashion (you know, it really is shocking how dirty the house gets from the time she leaves until the time she arrives in the morning and lets not talk about what the house looks like after a weekend without her). She then takes Dushan to the beach where they spend most of the day playing. Fiona gets home at 3 on most days and then Elvina keep both kids busy until at least 4:30. She is so much more than a nanny. She is a part of the family and I am so grateful to have her. This photo by the way, was taken on Tahitian day at pre-school (ecole maternelle) and Elvina made the beautiful crown of flowers Fiona is wearing. So here’s to Elvina. We are truly blessed to have her in our lives!

Good News & Bad News

2006-03-22T18:20:00.000-10:00

Tonight’s blog comes to you from the Moorea InterContinental Resort.
The good news of the day is that Moreto showed up with his bulldozer and knocked down the coconut tree that was threatening to fall on top of the bungalow. He did a great job. The bad news is that he cut the phone line in the process. Hmmm, maybe he didn’t do such a good job after all. Anyway, it is kind of a problem when you earn a living via the internet! James told me the phone company would be here today. They weren’t. James also told me, Thierry (the wood guy) drove by and gave James the hand signal that he would be returning later today. Good thing I didn’t hold my breath. On a much more drastic note, I just found out what happened to the contractor building our rock wall. Apparently he tried to commit suicide. Yes, that kind of news definitely puts things into perspective. I guess we are lucky it is our bank who paid him as we will definitely get our money back. Not sure when, but I do know it will happen. Meanwhile, we have been told all sorts of horror stories of people who have paid him cash for different jobs and it’s all gone. Again, something else to put things into perspective. For those of you wondering when the Sofitel Ia Ora will reopen, the answer is, I’m not sure. You see, they were using the same contractor as us. Granted they presumably have a lot more money than us but they are stuck using the same hussier (the only one in Moorea) who is in the hospital until tomorrow in order to get their paper work in order for their lawyers. Well that’s it for today’s installment of As Moorea Turns. How about everyone cross their fingers that the phone company actually shows up tomorrow!!!

The Bungalow is Still NOT Finished

2006-03-21T18:52:00.000-10:00

Take an obsessive - compulsive American woman who is used to getting things done immediately and ask her to oversee the construction of a bungalow in Moorea and what do you get? You get a woman who feels schizophrenic. Bordering between a calm Tahitian state of “No worries, it will get done when it gets done” and a neurotic American state of pestering her husband 50 times a day about WHY no one has showed up to work again?!?!?!?

The woodworker who is making the windows & doors said he was going to start the job the beginning of March. Not quite sure what beginning he was talking about.....Well we can’t lay the hardwood floors and install the kitchen and bath until the doors and windows are in. Meanwhile we ran out of tile for the bathroom but I’m promised by the store manager in Tahiti that the tile is ordered and will be here the end of March. Then there is the issue of the rock wall. We took out a loan to pay for the construction of the rock wall. Here when you get a construction loan, the bank deposits all the money into the contractor’s account. Well the contractor is in the hospital for 4-months with god knows what and his construction company apparently no longer exits. We call the bank and their response is, “not our problem.” So we hired a lawyer and he said for sure we can get our money back but first we need l’hussier to write up a legal document showing that the work has been abandoned. Well wouldn’t you know, the hussier is also in the hospital but she supposedly gets out on Thursday. So here I sit, expressing my frustration in a blog. You see, if I mention it to James one more time today, he is sure to file for divorce. At least I can take comfort in the fact that the roof looks amazing and if the rest of the bungalow looks half as good, I will be very happy when all is said and done...

Homage To Our Pony

2006-03-21T12:45:00.002-10:00

I have decided to start this blog by paying homage to our beloved pony Coquin. She was a gift from Santa to our daughter Fiona in 2003. As you can see from the photos, Fiona & Coquin had a special bond. They even used to nap together. Before coming to us, Coquin was a working horse at the Pony Club in Tahiti. She lived her life in a stall and would take kids on rides in a ring. Taking the ferry to Moorea, Coquin discovered a whole new life with us. She had no fences and she was able to run free. We would periodically have neighbors stopping by to tell us Coquin was eating all their bananas. She was a true chow hound and took full advantage of her new found freedom. When Coquin wasn’t eating she would hang out by our back door. The door was always wide open during the day and Coquin would hang out while I was working on the computer. Her head was literally inches from my desk. If you’re wondering why I’m speaking in the past tense, it is because Coquin passed away this weekend. She died by the back door. James discovered her when he woke up and immediately went to our neighbor Moreto to ask for his help. . Five minutes later, Moreato showed up with his bulldozer. We buried Coquin by the mango tree. So here’s to Coquin. She was a gem of a horse and is dearly missed!