Is This A Dream?

My "Eat, Pray, Love" In Two Weeks

Series

Part Seven of Twelve

Moorea, French Polynesia

Laziness hit, or perhaps it was finally taking the time to be on vacation and just BE.

Poolside with my new friend gave me a chance to know her better. A sexy and romantic day in a secluded lagoon with a handsome man was topped off with our group again dining with the Staff Captain. Only this time, not as strangers, but as the best of friends (and lovers) after only six incredible days. Maybe this is how it always is in the magical lands of the French Polynesian islands, but I must confess I have fallen into the sweetest dream ever.

I woke up this morning tired for some reason. I have been sleeping well but have been up late nearly every night. It caught up with me because I decided to cancel my hike on Moorea. And for those who know me, I love to hike, so canceling it tells you how I felt.

I had a healthy, simple breakfast before heading to the pool with Mel. I have not said enough about this formidable woman who has become my sidekick on this journey. She is a high school teacher, and it is apparent when she talks about her job that she loves it. Her children, like mine, are just beginning their adult lives. Mel, I have come to learn, is always upbeat. She takes life's knocks with a grace and attitude that I love about her.

Like her father, Milton, she loves to travel and is genuinely interested in the people she meets. She is wise and can get a pretty quick and accurate read on people right from the start. We had fun getting to know other women on the cruise, watching as the ship's Doctor trolled the decks for single women, and having many laughs over a few too many drinks. I know I have found a friend for life. What a pleasant surprise from this vacation. The gift of a new friend.

So again, like magnets, Mel and I found each other at the pool. I have struggled with balancing my activities. I don't want to miss anything, and I want to see each of these beautiful islands up close and personal. Still, I also crave downtime, laying by the pool, drinking the ship's specialty drink, the "Le Gauguin," which is like a Polynesian Pina Colada but A LOT more potent. So I am glad for the time to enjoy the sun, close my eyes, read my book, and visit with my friends. It was a perfectly relaxing morning.

Nenad, who knows these islands and waters better than you can imagine, has invited me to go to the next cove with him. We met at the marina at the back of the ship and took one of the boats to what I will call the Blue Lagoon. It has a name, but I can't remember, as I was too distracted by the hot guy steering the boat.

We anchored in shallow waters that were so clear and brilliant that I once again felt like I fell into a painting or was watching a movie where the scenes were computer generated, as it genuinely looked unreal. But real it was.

We swam, played, kissed. The afternoon had to be one of the sexiest experiences of my life. The water is saltier than other parts of the Pacific. And because of that, it feels different on your skin, too. It stung my eyes, but I didn't care because the water, the cove, the day was not what I expected of French Polynesia. It exceeded anything my imagination had conjured up.

There was a moment while I was floating in the water, Nenad's arms wrapped around me, when I looked over his shoulder and saw the Pacific stretched out before me, sparkling with wonder, invitation, and beauty. I asked myself, "Am I dreaming?" It was perhaps one of my life's most perfect, surreal moments.

We spent a few hours in the Blue Lagoon, then returned to the M/S Paul Gauguin. It is Polynesian night on the ship, and I look forward to wearing the beautiful Tahitian pearl necklace and earrings I purchased earlier. I did not plan on buying a pearl here, even though it is one of the things Tahiti is known for. But after my visit to the pearl farm, I realized that is precisely what I wanted as a keepsake from my Tahitian adventure. So Mel and I went shopping, and I love my necklace and earrings. I will always wear them and remember this extraordinary, awe-inspiring, sexy vacation.

Nenad has invited all of us from the Captain's dinner back to his table tonight for Polynesian night. After meeting him for champagne in Le Palette, he and I joined the group at La Veranda for dinner. Carl once again provided beautiful Napa wine for the table, and Nenad contributed one of his favorites from Grgich Estates, a Croatian-owned winery.

He showed us how the Croatian flag is on the label of every bottle. Because of all that white wine, I cannot remember the varietal of the red, but trust me when I say it was delicious. T

he evening was even more fun, joyful, and engaging than the first night. We were all on Polynesian time and in the right frame of mind after six days on this fabulous ship. Dinner lasted four hours, and we left long after the wait staff. Leaving late is one of the benefits of dining with the Staff Captain! Champagne and kisses with Nenad followed, and I don't doubt I will sleep like a baby tonight.