Bora Bora

Our honeymoon continued with 5 nights in Bora Bora.   We thought we were in the most beautiful place in the world in Rangiroa, but were pleasantly surprised with the incredible beauty of Bora Bora.  Where Rangiroa won in the simplicity and relaxation category, Bora Bora takes gold (can you tell I am currently watching the Olympics) in beauty.  We had arrived in paradise.

We arrived after sunset, so we were not able to see how incredibly beautiful everything was, until we woke up the next morning.  I couldn't believe the view from our bungalow, and walking around the resort, I was speechless.  I have never seen water so blue, teal, clear, and all shades in between.  The weather was not as perfect as Rangiroa, a couple mornings we woke to rain, but it quickly moved along, and left sunny skies.

Much of our time was spent working on our tans and playing at the beach,  but we did work in a few activities.  Our resort had a nice snorkeling lagoon, and the fish were very friendly.  People often buy fish food and take it with them, so the fish have become very familiar with snorkelers.  We also booked a hike.  Eric was our guide, and he was a very interesting island man.  It was very high on the adventure scale, but I survived, and was thankful I made it to the top when we saw the view.  When you mix me and outdoor adventure, you also have to mix me and pampering.  Ryan and I enjoyed a very relaxing couples massage, just what was needed.

Click on the link to view our Bora Bora Photo Album:

Bora Bora Photos

Rangiroa

We only stayed one night in Tahiti before hopping on a plane and flying to Rangiroa.  Ryan has wanted to become certified in Scuba diving, and what better place than French Polynesia?  Rangiroa is known as one of the best diving islands in the area.  Originally, I was a bit worried about Rangiroa, I heard there was not much on the island, and since I wasn't planning to dive, I didn't know what I was going to do.  I was completely wrong!  What more do you need when there is beautiful weather, warm sunshine, and multiple areas to lay out?  Rangiroa immediately won our hearts, and we enjoyed all 5 days.

Ryan spent the first few mornings diving, and was certified after 3 days.  He was able to capture some really cool videos and pictures with his GoPro, but I will save that blog post for him.

One afternoon we went to Rangiroa's Pearl Farm, where they have the famous Tahitian Black Pearls!  It was a free tour, until my eyes landed on a beautiful necklace!  I was also able to experience "popping" a pearl out of an oyster.  It was an "interesting" experience, and the guy gave me the pearl, when Ryan bought my necklace!

Another afternoon, we decided to set out on bicycles and explore the island.  With only one road, we figured we couldn't get lost.  Our friend, Willy told us we could ride to town (about 10 kilometers away).  Ryan and I peddled and peddled, until we came to the end of the road.  Ryan turns around and looks at me, I look at Ryan, "Did you see town?  I think we missed it?"

We also spent an entire day at Blue Lagoon.  It is an area about an hour boat ride from our hotel.  We were told by everyone that this was an incredibly beautiful area, and they were not lying.  I walked around the water with sharks.  Ryan was much more brave, and swam with them.  They were black-tip sharks, so nothing great white, but a shark is a shark.

Here is the link to the remaining pictures from Blue Lagoon:

Blue Lagoon Photo Album

Thinking back on our Honeymoon and our different experiences, we decided that Rangiroa was our favorite.  We both really appreciated the simplicity of the island.  I found ample time to read on the beach or by the pool.  Ryan was able to successfully complete his diving certification.  Everything and everyone was very relaxed, laid back, and simple.  In the words of Willy (hotel employee),

"you're on an island, there is no time."   

Here is the link to the remaining Rangiroa photos:

Rangiroa Photo Album

Tahiti

Tahiti was a quick stop at the beginning of our trip, and a quick stop at the end.  We arrived in Tahiti late in the evening, and left the next day for Raniroa.  After leaving Bora Bora, we spent one night in Tahiti, prior to flying to L.A. and beginning our long return to Russia.

The best part about Tahiti was the Tahitian "Mini Heiva" that took place at the Intercontinental.  It was the hotel we were staying at, and we were able to get tickets to the dinner and show on our last night in Tahiti.  Ryan and I wanted to see fire dancing, and we had been to a couple dance shows in Rangiroa and Bora Bora, but neither included fire dancing.  We confirmed that Mini Heiva included fire dancing, and booked our tickets.  It was the perfect way to celebrate our last night in French Polynesia.

 

Enjoy the rest of our photos from Tahiti (click on the link below "Tahiti Photos")!

Tahiti Photos

12 Days in Paradise

Since my last post, nearly a month ago, many things have happened.  Ryan and I returned to Russia July 30th, after a very romantic and fun wedding, followed by a relaxing, breathtaking honeymoon.

July 14th, Ryan and I celebrated with our dearest family and friends at our beautiful wedding.  I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding.  Ryan and I are so thankful for everyone who was able to attend, and the celebration that took place.  I do not have pictures from the wedding yet, but our photographers, Nichole Frank Photography and Lauren Lewallen Photography both have sneak peeks on their Facebook Photography pages!!

July 16th, Ryan and I set off for our Honeymoon, 12 Days in Paradise.  Our destination was beautiful French Polynesia.  The itinerary included the islands of Tahiti, Rangiroa, and Bora Bora.  I will not focus on our nightmarish airline experience in route to Tahiti, you name it, and it went wrong, cancelled flights, lost baggage, and running through airports to make connections.  The memory still makes me furious.  Luckily, we survived the nightmare, and landed in Tahiti.  Really, we could not have picked a more perfect place, we quickly forgot our travel troubles and quickly dove into paradise.

I am still in the process of uploading all the pictures to my online photo albums, but here are a few of my favorite (along with 3 of my least favorite).

Sunset in our "backyard" in Rangiroa.  

Ryan in our "backyard" in Tahiti. 

Our "backyard" in Bora Bora. 

View from breakfast in Bora Bora. 

Hiking in Bora Bora.  

And for the 3 least favorite pictures from the entire trip.

This is what our suitcases looked like once they arrived.  

United (whoops I mentioned the airline) did not lose just one bag, but all 3.  

Our name was chalked all over the bags.  At least our bags arrived as quickly as they possibly could.  Fortunately we were in a destination where not much clothing was required, simply a bikini (swim trunks for Ryan).  

Lake Agnes Hike

I type this final Canadian hiking post, on our last day in Houston.  After leaving beautiful Canada, we flew to Houston (not as beautiful, but the pool time was fantastic).  Ryan and I are currently sitting in the United lounge, preparing to travel to Chicago, and begin our Chicago adventure, and our wedding.

It is incredible that just last week I was hiking in mountains, through snow, and after a short flight I found myself in warm, sunny Houston.  This week of posting has been an incredible opportunity to now only revisit the beautiful pictures, but to also think about how vastly different climates can be.

Our final day in Lake Louise started early in the morning.  We wanted to get in one final hike before we drove to the airport.  Lake Agnes and the teahouse was our destination.  Bells were on the bag, camera was in hand, I was ready.

At breakfast, our waitress said that there was a planned Polar Bear Dip in honor of Canada Day.  We didn't know how long our hike would take, or whether there would be time, but Ryan expressed an interest.  I DEFINITELY had NO interest in jumping into freezing cold water.  We made it back from our hike in time, and Ryan was able to participate.  I fought the crowds and wiggled my way to the front, so I was able to snap some photos of this brave adventure.  I am so proud of my "polar bear."

Please enjoy our Lake Agnes pictures.  I will not try to even begin to put the beauty into words, I will allow the pictures to speak for themselves.

*One side note, after this trip Ryan asked, and I agreed that we can incorporate more "nature" vacations into our travels.  If nature continues to be this beautiful, I am more than willing to hike, and explore.  Don't get too excited, too quickly, I still have some adverse reactions to nature.

Lake Agnes Pictures

Lake Louise

Lake Louise was our "home base."  Our beautiful hotel was located on the shores of Lake Louise, and provided a wonderful view.  We were fortunate to not have to fight the crowds traveling to Lake Louise.

After our return from hiking at Moraine Lake, the weather cleared, and the rain stopped.  We decided to take a canoe trip around Lake Louise.  Ryan did a fantastic job paddling, you would have thought we had an outboard engine attached to our canoe.  My paddling was less than fantastic, more delicate (and much less powerful) paddling.

I took the opportunity to stop paddling (since it was not moving us anywhere) and snap some photos.

Lake Louise Pictures

Moraine Lake

My hiking adventures continued Saturday.  We decided to drive the a short distance to Lake Moraine.  Unfortunately, the weather was not as cooperative, it was a bit rainy and chilly.  The hike proved to be much more difficult than the previous day's.  I found myself climbing uphill for 465 meters and a distance of 8 km.  Before we began our adventure, I told Ryan I did not want to hike through snow, or rain.  We did both at Lake Moraine.

Ryan and I decided to hike the Larch Valley trail.  We were told that for safety, it was best to hike in groups of 4 or more (good thing I wore my bells).  At the start, we paired up with another young couple.  As our hike continued, our speed was quicker, so we progressed faster.  Luckily, there were plenty of hikers so we were always encountering other people.

We were able to see a few more creatures.  Our zoom came in handy to snap a few pictures of mountain goats (don't blink, you may miss them).  I also believe we saw a marmot.  We do not have too many pictures from our hike at Lake Moraine because of the rain, but please enjoy the few pictures.  

Moraine Lake Pictures