Raiatea

Next stop, Raiatea. My Dad and Lindsay arranged to rent a car here so we could drive around the island and check things out. It was a cool 85 degrees with 100% humidity! Oh the sacrifices we make for paradise. 

I love seeing the green dense mountains next to the incredible blue green ocean. 

You can even see the reef through the clear water from way up here...if you can see past my big booty.

Self shot.

I have a thing about pictures with no people in them. I find them boring...but this view is too amazing not to post.

The island has an archaeological site we decided to visit. 

This is called Marae Taputapuatea. Marae are ancient religious sites. This one was used for religious ceremonies and sacrifices.

See, it wasn't just all sun and sea...I learned something.

The tall rock on this Marae was used to decide the tribal leader. You had to be as tall or taller than the rock to be the head of the tribe. No one in our midget family qualified.

This was the customs Marae where visitors to the island had to check in and give the gift they brought for the Chief.

After sweating out all our liquids at the archaeological site we needed refreshment! The car rental place told us to eat at this hotel...one of the only ones on the island. 

I LOVED how it was decorated so I made sure to get lots of pictures for inspiration.

The food was also amazing (and pricey). They were big on presentation, hence my shrimp skewer served hanging from a giant piece of driftwood. 

We headed back to the ship after circling the whole island. A great day!