Day 17 Papeete, Tahiti

Another day in paradise. This morning we went in search of a "white sand beach". What we got for a $80 round trip taxi ride was a beach about 15 feet wide strewn with all kinds of litter and about 5 grains of white sand mixed in to about 50 trillion grains of brown dirty looking sand. In the process we had to circumvent some rather unsavory looking dogs. Needless to say we didn't stay long.
The afternoon and evening had an altogether different result. In the afternoon we took a four wheel tour into the inner parts of the island to see the crater of the volcano ultimately responsible for the creation of the island. The road followed a river that has its origin in the bowl of the crater. There were many beautiful waterfalls along the way. All of which were photographed to death. The jungle was very lush and green with many flowers along the way. So lush in fact that without a road or clear path it would be almost impenetrable.
This evening as we left the harbor in Papeete the sun was just setting behind the neighboring island of Morea. On top of that a four masted sailing vessel appeared and sailed between us and the island providing what we believe to be the best photo opportunity of the cruise so far. We are committed to return here and make sure we get over to see Morea which we understand is fabulous, and actually has a white sand beach.
Tomorrow Bora Bora and the Super Bowl. What a double header.

Chris - in my defense... I love waterfalls! Anyone who I've driven through Glacier knows that.