Entering Cook's Bay, one sees housing for the local folks. Nothing pretentious (that I could see). The smoke is from burning palm leaves that have been cut from the trees.

We have dropped anchor and have to use the ship's tenders to get ashore. One at a time at a small pier. Not nearly as fancy as Papeete.

The missus was still not feeling well, so I went on my own. Again, we had not set up an organized tour.

So, I got to wander on my own. I noticed this. A coconut falls, and it happens to land in a crab's hole. The crab digs another hole and shoots the dirt onto the coconut. Ta-dah! The beginning of a new palm tree.

Nearby the crab holes was this tree. I have two photos, one of the entire tree and this one. I find it remarkable that a long-needle pine tree would be on an island such as this. Maybe it is not that, but the needles look like it. And look at those roots above the soil line. This was within 10 feet of the shore line.

Speaking of the shore line, look at all the stuff that has washed ashore. Consider this when you look at this photo. This is on a very protected bay. Not much wave action, still a lot has washed up.

And right there was this wonderful sight. A handmade outrigger made (and repaired) with fiberglas. How cool is that?

And, as long as I am taking pictures at this one spot (most of the previous ones were taken within 2 minutes of each other), here is a view of Holland American's Statendam in Cook's Bay on Moorea, French Polynesia. It was a clear day, but the smoke from burning palm leaves gives it that look.

No, no, I am not going to find out what tree that is! I guess the general assumption is that tropical island all have a wide and sandy beach and not trees down to the waterline. Interesting how nature works together - the crab digs the hole and the palmtree uses it, Thanks, Jim.

There was a song...I am adapting from it.

You made me post this, I didn't want to do it.

Interesting about the crab and the coconut, I bet there are more symbiotic relationships than we'll ever know.