Losing a Friend...

The news almost always comes when you least expect it and at times about people that you think will outlive you because of their way of life and fit condition. And so, ten days ago I was informed that a very dear friend, a very active, athletic, gentle, kind, funny and generous person had unexpectedly left our world. To say the least it was a horrible shock. Although the only sure thing in life is that we will all die at some point in time, sometimes we can see it coming and sometimes we don't. I felt blessed having had the chance to spent quite a lot of quality time together recently and it reminded me (again… but we intend to forget, or at least me) how precious our life is and how we should try and enjoy to the max each and every day that is given to us, it can truly be over in a flash...

In Memory of Randy

Commuting

Sometimes I feel like Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic, as I stand up the bow of our little ferry that takes us between the islands of Tahiti and Moorea across "The Sea Of The Moon." I even pinch myself when absorbing the incredibly and beautiful view ahead while the boat cuts its way through the deep blue Pacific Ocean. It is a thirty minute trip and often we are welcomed by huge families of dancing dolphins.

Tahiti

The Magic Reef

Part of my life's story is living on very remote and isolated islands and atolls. Although some people tend to think it is the equivalent of "paradise," life conditions can be extremely tough with the biggest problem being the lack of water… With that I mean rain water, to shower, wash, do dishes and all the things we normally do when opening a tap and have that precious liquid flowing out. Not so on the atolls but, from the other hand, the lagoon water offers a bonus in housing the most incredible and beautiful creatures!

"Pahua," or Clam

Urchin

Baby Moray Eel

Blue Starfish

Whale, Grey Amber (or "vomit")

Atolls and Islands

Never really considered myself an "island girl" but come to think of it, I have seen and lived on so many different ones over the years it is actually quite an amazing experience. French Polynesia is divided into five archipelagos consisting of so called "high islands" and "atolls." The high islands, of which Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti are the most well known, are green and extinct volcanic mountains and peaks, rising out of the ocean and surrounded by a coral reef. The atolls (Tuamotu group) are in fact "left-overs" of volcanic islands that have sunk to the bottom of the ocean over millions of years and of which only the reef remains with an inner water called the lagoon.

Rangiroa

Tahiti

Bora Bora

Kaukura

The Amazon

Although this truly is one of the places where my life changed forever… I am so glad to have been able to enjoy and "soak-up" as it were, the amazing splendours of the Amazon, just an awesome place. Of course my rebellious nature was thoroughly thrilled by discovering the jungle with a rifle hanging off my shoulder and a machete in my hand, at times just wanting to get lost, an easy task in the dense flora.

The Water Well

IMHO fresh drinking water should be available for free to all humans living on this beautiful planet! Some of our islands do not (yet) offer drinking water and a 1,5 liter bottle costing appr. $ 1.25 in the shops and tropical heat does require to hydrate oneself frequently and often I get water from the island's water well. It is located up in the forrest of the volcanic mountains at the interior of the island and for me a most magic place, because the road and trail are of a tremendous beauty and so very different and in contrast with the turquoise lagoon. The place gives me a lot of inspiration!

Good Morning World!

Room with a View

Today I want to share some photographs of the incredible view and the many different "expressions and costumes" of the lagoon. Never a dull moment, always different, at times totally mesmerizing and oh so inspirational when thinking of a particular passage in or for my book. Although I live a very simple life I feel very blessed and privileged to be doing so in such an awesome environment.

All Things Beautiful

Quite often I get so amazed by all the beauty that surrounds us and is there to be unconditionally enjoyed. It is present in so many things we encounter in our daily lives, just needing and taking the time to observe these wonders of nature and look a bit further or longer to discover the magic of it all. It really is everywhere!

The BIRDS...

There are days that I can not stop looking at these beautiful creatures that so majestically feed themselves right in front of my eyes. It is an awesome, never boring, amazing and inspirational sight.

Bird's eye view, flying high...

Spotting "breakfast"

Right there

Got you

Let's go and enjoy! Bon Appétit!

Precious Tropical "Jewel"

Coprah or Copra is the dried meat of a coconut and used to extract coconut oil from. Even today, for many people on the islands and in other tropical countries where palm trees grow in abundance, it is a gift of life. In Tahiti copra is partly government subsidised to help the people of the outer and often isolated islands earn a basic living. When the sun dried kernels are ready to be processed, they are packed in large bags and shipped to the coconut oil refinery in Papeete where the oil is produced. Some of it is used to make the famous Monoï Tahitian oil, which is a cosmetic lotion used as a skin and hair softener.

Jewel Of The Tropics

Hard Work

Let The Sun Shine and Dry us Out

A Wonder Named Petra

I may have travelled "millions" of miles, seen, studied, lived and worked in uncountable countries and crossed all the continents of our beautiful planet, but the amazing, magnificent and ancient rose city Petra, was a totally incredible experience that never seems to leave my mind… This was the start of my long way back to the South Seas and what a great place to do so! One day I hope to go back to Jordan and do it all again!

The Long Way To Petra

The Walk Up The Siq

Totally Amazing...

There She Is: The Treasury!

Beautiful in Pink

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Most incredible rainbow today and it was truly an awesome sight! I want to dedicate this photograph to MH370, all it's passengers, crew, family and friends! May you RIP!

Thank You Rain!

Once more we are blessed with a great sunny day and so I want to share some pics of "my" island with you, knowing and realising at the same time, that it is the rain, feeding all the plants and trees, which makes this place so beautiful and almost magic like!

Opunohu bay

Mou'a Puta

Bali Hai Mountain

Cook's Bay