Gods and ancestors

 Yesterday was the 40th anniversary date and we celebrated in typical Johnson fashion style. 

We started with an archeological tour of the island of Hauhine (that's pronounced way-he-ne.)

It is one of the least populated of the islands -- 7000 or so --- incredibly lush, and the site of a number of significant archeological sites.

Rebecca and I are glad we as it. Fruit grows everywhere, tourism is minimal, the people are friendly, and the large sacred eels have blue eyes.

The black eels swim in a sacred pool which bears a strong resemblance to a creek, eat sacred salmon out of a can, and delight in swimming through the legs of the children who pick them up and pet them. I will not question their sacred credentials. One respects other beliefs. But I personally do not need to get particularly close to a sacred eel with blue eyes, and I was not motivated by religion or curiosity to pick up one of the damn things.

We visited a vanilla plantation --- French Polynesian vanilla is highly prized. A typical vanilla plantation is the size of a small backyard, growing vanilla is very hands-on and you apparently must know a lot about the sexual preferences of a vanilla plant. 

We ate dinner last night at LaVeranda on the ship. Wow. One of the best meals ever. Truly memorable.

Today we're spending the day on Motu Mahana, a private island owned by Paul Gauguin cruises. Polynesian barbecue, alcohol consumption for many, dancing, snorkeling, frivolity and sunshine await.

Onward.

Rebecca at a historic village site on Hauhine, French Polynesia December 15, 2013.

700 year old Banyon tree on Hauhine

Reproduction of a chief's home, now a Polynesian history museum, on Hauhine.

Everybody in the tour group but Mark looking at at the Sacred Blue Dyed Eels of Hauhine. (You had to be there.)

As soon as we get to a better wifi connection, Mark will upload the first set of Rebecca's fabulous photographs from French Polynesia.