Bora Bora: Vaitape

When on vacation, you forget that some people are actually residents.
They get married, with crowns of white flows and Barbie decorated cars.




They bring their loved pets to the veterinary.

Normal things. Just like hanging out by the lagoon, with a surfboard and a coconut. The latter are probably surreal for us, city creatures. Still, I cannot conclude whether I feel sorry or jealous of them. Because Polynesia may be paradise, but is also a rough society where alcoholism, incest & rapes take a toll. Where the industry is stalled and nuclear testing was once welcome, as a tool for job development.

It's not about holding a Harvard PhD on Quantum Physics, but more about getting the chance to travel, to understand different ways of life, of expression, of consensus, of decision-making, of profess. This is what a Degree buys you. A job. The freedom to understand yourself better, by observing others, which are sometimes, rather different from you.

Polynesians, unfortunately, live in a ridiculously rich environment, without seeming aware of it. Instead of running, you see them lazing around, munching chips & drinking beer. Sometimes they paddle, but not as effortlessly as the Swedes run over the snow after their office job. While Westerners are charmed by the idea of going back to basics, islanders seem to be bored of such basic life in pure harmony with nature. 

We met a mother and a daughter. Arielle & Sophie. Natural from Reunion, residents in Raiatea. We dived together a couple of times and happened to stay in the same family pension, in Fakarava. One night, I asked about "What can you do in Raiatea?" which was answered by a dry "NOTHING" from Sophie. This pretty teen that didn't say much, but when she spoke, man it came from the bottom of her heart. Ahh Sophie, how happy you would be in Tokyo, trying eyelashes & playing cosplay.

Crabs also teach us some life lesson. Hesitate and you're done. Because seriously, if these guys would just run to either side when the car light blinds them, they would easily scape death. The problem is that they get blinded and instead of moving, they panic & stay still. Seconds after, is all gone. So keep it mind. Any decision is better than no decision. Dragging things too long is a painful thing that in the end, can be fatal.

More amazing keep-the-boat-away-from-water things. Don't you find them amazing too?



And coconuts. Of course. The best to quench thirst is an ice-cold coco!