What is Tahiti?

Paradise. What exactly makes a place like Tahiti so fantastical in so many people's minds? It may be the product of French culture infused into arguably the oldest original Polynesian motherland. It's sultry black-sand beaches, fragrant vegetation, lush steep mountains and deep valleys for starters. From my perspective, Tahiti is a vibrant, mature-yet-developing, diverse, complex, bewitching place. Like most places, the hustle of the city is manic yet the solitude of the mountains is renewing. Here's a sample of some of the places we went.

Beside the Tahitian population and culture, there is a strong French and Chinese presence there too. In my opinion, that's a great combination when it comes to good food but I wouldn't call either of those 2 cultures very patient or compassionate so you've got to be ready to stand your ground and be equally pushy in certain cases if you want to get anything done. But the indigenous people are quick to smile, share, chat and laugh with you. There is music in the air, traditional culture and language strongly practiced and other-worldly lagoons in abundance to swim in.

This was my 6th trip to Tahiti in the past 15 years and despite my hesitation over yet another expensive Tahiti trip when a family mainland trip to 'my people' has been put off for so many years, this Tahiti trip was once again noticeably better than ever before. For one thing, it was a first-ever full family reunion with around 50 of our immediate family members participating and contributing to the daily activities, outings, parties & events for 2-weeks. Thanks in large part to my SIL Helo, we had very little down-time and just made the most of every minute.

We were greeted at the airport after midnight by the entire family with 52-fresh flower lei. It was quite an ordeal. During our 2-week stay, the same old stories were recounted and drilled into the future generations memories once again. We went to Moorea for 3-days where my DH lived as a child. At one point Zana asked me why we had to keep looking at places where Daddy *used* to live. Not as sentimental for the kids as it was for the adults. But the kids had a blast too.

Language was a trivial issue for Zana thankfully as she picked up new vocab in French and her cousins learned a bit of English too. She made noticible progress with floating & swimming having spent so much time at the beach almost every day. About every other night we had some sort of dance and Zana was always out on the floor busting out her favorite hip-hop moves. If they weren't dancing, they were watching movies with our projector (the one I gave my DH for Christmas last year, which didn't make the trip home with us, but is in good hands now with TrenchTown).

Zeth was adored by all and learned pretty quickly how to defend himself, with a quick head duck and outstretched fist, from the constant bombardment of kisses and cheek-pinches from his enamoured cousins and aunties. In a few years he'll may decide all those kisses from beautiful young women is not such a bad thing afterall.

We stayed at the family home which was bursting at the seams but it was so fun to be there with everyone and to wake up and step outside to the black sand beach with your morning pain-chocolat to watch the sun rise up out of the ocean...it was so worth it. One morning a school of dolphins was swimming by just off shore from where the kids were playing in the sand. So fun.

It's usually mango season this time of year but the mangos are blooming real late this year so we missed out on that. Major bummer for me. During our 2-weeks there, I only found about 3 trees with more than one-singular mango growing on it and they were too green. Shucks. But we had plenty of bread fruit "ulu" which is also a fun experience.

We visited the Tahitian Noni factory where 3 of our siblings work. We had so many parties that towards the end of our stay, Zana started asking me why we were having yet-another big party. As if we hadn't eaten enough already. It was fun to watch and learn how they prepare & cook different foods I wouldn't even know how to begin to use for consumption.

We took over 1000 photos and videos during our trip. I really was trying hard not to miss a thing but naturally forgot to take pictures of a few memories that'll just have to reside in my head until we go again. But that's enough for now. Fin.