January 31st - Watching the rain

It has been a quiet day, watching it rain off and on all day. Can't really
complain since this is the first foul weather day I have had since I left
Denver - but I do hope it improves tomorrow. If not, oh well, I am sure I
have plenty of sunny days ahead.

Since it was raining, I went to the post office this morning to get stamps
for my postcards. It took almost 2 hours. I was number 58, and when I got
there they were on number 31. Got to see a lot of interesting people. I was
surprised by what a busy place it was, I was told it is always this busy.
Since I don't speak french I am not quite sure what everyone was doing
there, but I do know it was not to buy stamps. It looked like they were
processing paperwork, maybe money orders, etc.. And, I was lucky to get
helped right before they closed for lunch. I love that most everything
closes up for a couple of hours at lunch time. How civilized.

I received the following from someone today and have passed on to a people.
Maybe it is just that kind of day, watching the rain, gazing out at the
ocean and reflecting, but I really liked the sentiment in this, so thought I
would share it.

There comes a turning point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
There is a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

My sister in law, Angie, sent back the following response: "I believe people
come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime."

January 30th - Morning walk

I "almost" lost hat number two on Saturday. Since I knew it was a
possibility, I wore a cheap hat I bought in Maui a couple of years ago when
I was going sailing, and there was a good chance I could lose it then.
Yes, you can find an inexpensive hat at an ABC store, so I purchased a pink
flowered baseball cap.

Saturday - soon after we took off on the jet ski, my hat also took off - I
thought that would be the last I saw of it - but not so.

When we got back hours later, my hat had washed ashore in my neighbors back
yard! This would never happen with an expensive or favorite hat.

It was raining when I got up this morning - so I waited it out before
setting out.

The rain did not last long, just cloudy skies lingering, which made for a
very pleasant walk.

I stopped at a fruit stand and made some purchases and discovered the
proprietor speaks English and was a delight to chat with.

January 29th - A new friend

I took a picture of one of my new friends. We met this morning.

 

I woke up and found him/her waiting for me in the bathroom. I was so happy he was not a giant spider – which was my first thought.  After a second look, I scooped him into a bowl and deposited him back outside where he belongs. No harm to him or me.

 

There were quite a few of these guys lurking at the water’s edge this morning. I think last night’s storm may have had something to do with it.

 

Spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean breezes.

January 28th - Jet-skiing in Moorea

What a great day!

Started out with my daily four miles - was out the door by 6:45 this
morning.

Then I was invited to spend the day with my neighbor/owners Robert and
Karine and their children Charlotte and Axel (and dogs Rex and Leah).

We went jet-skiing. I rode with Karine and Axel and Karine gave me the
"cook's tour" of Cook's Bay and the surrounding area.

On the way we stopped and got in the water with the Manta's and Sharks -
amazing creatures. I have learned how to make the sharks turn away if they
come too close for comfort. We could not entice Axel to get in - maybe he
needs to get a little older - or maybe he is wiser than the rest of us.

The pictures today aren't the best of the sharks since I did not bring my
underwater camera (next time). Some of the best photos were taken by eleven
year old Axel. He wants to be a professional soccer player, or policeman, or
fireman of EMT. I think maybe he should consider photography. His sister
Charlotte (thirteen) wants to be a pediatrician. They are both great kids.

We then headed over to a motu off the northwest tip of the island where we
"enjoyed" a lovely lunch. Enjoyed was one of Charlottes words on her English
test this week at school.

The clouds were beginning to look very dark - so we headed home - steering
clear of the calmer waters of the lagoons to avoid the rain. It made for a
bumpy ride - but thrilling. I have decided it is a lot more fun to be a
rider, than the driver.

I found it interesting that Axel and Karine could get chilled out here -
they both actually got goose bumps.

Just a perfect day!

January 27th - Cook's Bay Moorea

I watched the Ocean Princess sail in to Cook's Bay this morning while
logging in my miles. I keep getting out there earlier and earlier to beat
the heat. It was very dramatic to watch this huge vessel maneuver into
port.

I have included pictures today of the sail away on Tuesday of the ship I
arrived on - the Rotterdam and of the sail away of the Ocean Princess.

I am becoming a real local - getting excited about a ship coming into port!

Other than one time at home for practice (and to make sure it worked) I used
my ATM card for the first time - it spit out money - pretty cool!