Polynesian Adventure, Day 17

 March 16, Saturday - Sunny, clear, and hot.

Transition day - up early, enjoy last breakfast buffet on board, vacate cabin by 8:00 am, wait for transport to airport (not to fly, but to pick up a rental car), BS & PT return to the pier to pick up others and luggage, and drive to Te Moana Tahiti Resort, south in Puna'auia, Tahiti.  (The van this time is a Hyundai, spacious and comfortable.)

Because our rooms at the resort  were not yet available, we drove further around the island (on west side), and stopped at Marae Arahurahu, near Pa'ea District ("a traditional temple, best-looking one on the island, and lightly visited").

We also stopped at the Mara'a Caves, "three overhung, ferny grottos and crystal-clear pools."

Actually, our first stop was at LS's favorite place - a fire station.

Second stop.  It is temple but largely a gravesite for ancestors.

There was path leading away from the temple into jungle-like vegetation.

EP holding African Tulip Tree flower, considered by some as one of 100 most invasive trees in the world.

Pagoda Flower

Another grotto that is much smaller than the first.

Lily pond.

Star of Bethlehem is the white flower.

Dotleaf Waterlilies.

Rooms were ready around 1 pm.  The afternoon was spent lounging by the pool and reading.  Dinner was on the patio restaurant, scenic with twinkling lights but not nearly as good as the food on the Paul Gauguin.