We woke up and drove to Belvedere lookout near the center of the island, which includes a beautiful view of Mount Rotui (which separates the principle bays on the northern end of the island).

Then we did a small hike around the lookout (smaller than Lindsay wanted).

Saw some fungi along the way:

And some neat polynesian chestnut trees:

We went back to the bungalow and spent some time at la plage de Tipaniers -- it was windy but beautiful.

Ada!

 
Seth!

The fam!

If you know me, you know I love a pier (www.aaronrutmanphtotography.com/pier).

So we went around the corner to a beach more protected from the wind, at Tiahura. More snorkeling! More relaxing!

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Lots of cool reef fish, including our fist sighting of a few stingrays in the shallows!

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(reef cornetfish)

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(white-banded/Picasso triggershish)

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(stingray)

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After we got our fill of snorkeling (well, everyone except for Jay, who could do it for days), we went back to La plage de Tipaniers for the sunset.

The wind had died down and it was perfect. 

  
 La plage de Tipaniers is definitely a new favorite spot.