Polynesian Adventure, Day 6

 Tuesday, March 5th:  Sunny and hot, followed by afternoon rain, which strangely does not cool things off.

Today, was laundry day, swimming/snorkeling/kayaking to the island, sitting in the water, and an abortive trip to the Nature Center which was closed on Mondays and Tuesday, but the grounds had some interesting plants (see below).

SS and BS swam across the channel, getting warned by a jet ski guide ("do not swim here, it's for the boats"), and ET and PT kayaked over with LS on board.  LS was again another gracious passenger.  After arriving, we saw several sting rays gliding by in about 2 feet of water.  I got within 5 feet of one; when he turned and came toward me, I backed away.

Stingray photo, care of the web.

LS says "he liked snorkeling."  He did amazingly well floating, wearing a mask, and breathing through the snorkel tube, unassisted.  However, parents hovered within 3 feet.

The Nature Center (aka "center for research insularies (?) and observation of the environment"....)

Jungle Flame (Ixora coccinea)

ditto.

Beach Naupaka (Scaevola taccada)

Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica) 

Expanded Lobsterclaw (Heliconia latispatha)

?? (Seek could not identify)

??

Sensitive Plant closes its leaves when touched.

Tree Crinum (Crinum asiaticum).

Pineapple.

Brown Land Crab.

The Brown or Black Noddy, the most prevalent local sea bird - (photo taken from WWW), and, we believe, the source of weird creaky noises at night.

Dinner was attempted as a repeat of the first night's restaurant, but it was closed, so we drove further down the road and found what turned out to be a great pizza place.  We shared 4 pizzas and 4 arrancinas (rice balls with tasty fillings).  Then back to the villa to pack and organize.  Last day at the villa ends.