She likes sugar, spice and everything nice.
I like snakes and trails and puppy dog tails.
She likes classy lodging, cultural art fancy foods.
I like finding weird animals roughing it in the jungle and budget accommodations.
We both love snorkeling and whales.
In this video we set out to find humpback whales and French Polynesia.
These are our incredible experiences.
We're all waiting for the Eco Park bus to take us to the airport. What could possibly go wrong?
Moorea is a little island 15 kilometers or so from Tahiti.
To get there we flew to San Francisco
and then boarded a direct flight to Tahiti.
Halfway there we flew across the ITCZ or inter-tropical Convergence Zone...
a birthplace for tropical storms and turbulence.
After safely landing in Tahiti we took a taxi to a speed ferry.
And 20 minutes later stepped into the dreamiest paradise.
Our first night we stayed at a quaint Hillside Airbnb hoping to spot whales from the deck.
Voila!
I see you
Oh my... I got it
OMG!!!
Come back! Come back!
There they are! Spew!
Wow!
While we monitored the humpback whales
a copper-tailed skink was closely monitoring us.
I wish Woo Young-Woo was here.
This was our first time seeing humpback whales.
As if you couldn't tell.
and I gotta say guys, I was blindsided by them.
Between July and early November humpback whales
return to the calm warm waters in Polynesia to mate or give birth.
For a heartwarming 20 minutes we documented this loving mother doting on her playful baby.
(Whales singing to each other)
It seemed the mother was encouraging her captive nurse
but the curious little whale was more interested in exploring.
But not too far from Mom's watchful eyes.
During a peaceful afternoon in the ocean
the little family relished each other's company with gentle nudging body rubbing and affection.
Where'd you get those vegetables? it's in the freezer.
She's whipping up some serious gourmet food over there
with found food.
it only expired like a couple years ago
A lot of bugs outside. They're just mayflies or something so they don't bite
but they're dropping out of the lights into our food. Oh there's one on my neck.
I feel him. Oh he's on my chin
oh you're gonna love this babe.
they're not biting but uh I think we're gonna go ahead and eat inside tonight.
Voila.
Moorea translates to yellow lizard.
In the bathroom we found the gecko the island was named after.
Side note there were no flying bugs in the bathroom
if you've seen our travel videos before
You are a strange looking animal.
You know I love to find the precious little animals near the hotels we stay in
and share them with the world.
I'm not entirely positive the hotels like this kind of publicity.
I can't see why not.
In Moorea we really wanted to experience a bungalow over the Lagoon.
At the Hilton rooms were an excessive $1200 a night.
So we thought we'd try to use this Channel's 1 million subscribers as leverage to get a free room
and the Hilton was quick to respond.
Down the hill from our Air BnB we could see the Sofitel bungalows
These were ONLY $750, but for one night on our eighth year anniversary
we decided to take the plunge.
Merci beaucoup.
(Tahitian greetings and thanks)
Ah magnifique! I love it.
Tres Jolie.
MUSIC: PillBox by Southern Backtones
Welcome to our burrito.
From your burrito deck you can plop right into the Marine Wonderland.
Meandering through boulders of healthy coral in the crystal waters
We saw titan trigger fish, orange stripe triggerfish, butterfly fish
a spotted box fish, tons of chromies and humbugs
and every diver's all-time favorite,
a sea cucumber!
The long Sofitel beaches had ample elbow room to sun, wade and swim.
There was also a lily pond if you prefer.
Let's stay here forever.
If you didn't get your fill of fish and other sea creatures snorkeling,
There's plenty more in the ocean view restaurant.
We turned on our light
And there was just a big sea cucumber. That's it.
Comment ça va sea cucumber?
In the morning the breakfast buffet overlooking
the Blue Lagoon will satisfy the most voracious appetites.
For our next adventure we just had to try swimming in the ocean with humpback whales.
it's said to be one of the most beautiful underwater observations in the world.
It's one of the most beautiful underwater observations in the world.
This is our tour guide.
We forgot his name so we just called him "Papa Love."
Swimming near whales here is a regulated process that requires patience.
Despite all the waiting and bobbing around
there's boatloads of excitement and anticipation.
If the opportunity arrives swimmers are cautioned to slip softly into the water,
swim far from the boat out into the open abyss and cross your fingers.
The law here specifies boats may not approach closer than 100 meters to whales...
150 if it's a mom and calf.
Regulations Papa Love respects.
(Loud whale roar)
Our first two attempts there were no whales in sight
yet the thunderous volume of their song Shook your chest.
(Very loud whale roar)
It was beautiful and eerie.
During our third attempt storm clouds and a low Sun left little light to see underwater
(whales singing and Tahitian tribal music)
It was too dark to capture quality footage but
the memory of this incredible experience is still vibrant.
in part two of this video.
chicks
versus coconuts.
Plus
Stingrays
That beg like dogs and dogs.
And Dogs
that are tour guides.
All the way up there.
He's like, hurry up slow pokes.
We're coming.
This is a pretty steep grade. I don't know if you can tell but uh...
our tour guide isn't waiting for us.
Almost there.
But for now here's two humpback whales waving goodbye.
Til' next time friends happy trails
MUSIC: "La male'diction de la danse du poulet"