More Snaps from Tahiti, and I've Been Lazy

I've been very bad about blogging lately, and for that I apologize. Lately I just haven't felt very inspired, and I have a lot of work-related writing to do so the combo usually means less blogging. In the meantime, here are some more photos from my recent trip to Tahiti. I'll be back soon with some proper posts!

The ladies in the photo above are Bella and Popo - mother and daughter - who are native to Tahiti and were our tour guides for a day. They were both wonderful and kind and had a lot of fascinating stories to tell. Bella actually sewed costumes on the set of "Mutiny on the Bounty" and ended up marrying the costume designer. She had some great Marlon Brando stories and even some photos from back in the day (she was and still is a stunner!).

This rich veal dish was prepared for us at Le Mahogany Restaurant, a little French bistro in Moorea. It was served with slices of local avocado, which were yellower (<--is that a word?) than avocados from California but just as delicious.

Chefs Remi and William of Jean-George Vongerichten's Lagoon Restaurant at the St. Regis in Bora Bora. They spent the morning teaching me how to make a couple of Tahitian/French classics...

...including the ever-present poussin cru, which is practically the national dish in Tahiti. It's basically fresh raw tuna, onions, tomato, cucumber, salt, pepper, lime juice and coconut milk. Fresh and delicious!

Snaps from French Polynesia

The insane overwater villas at the St. Regis in Bora Bora. I went to French Polynesia to do a story for Intermezzo magazine...the issue should be out in a few months!

Gorgeous tomato salad with Russian dressing and fried onion rings at the Lagoon Restaurant (a Jean-George resto!) at the St. Regis.

This guy really knows how to crack open a coconut. Afterward, he shredded the meat, wrapped it in cheese cloth and squeezed out the coconut milk.

A "roulette," or snack shack, which are all over Tahiti. This one serves typical French baguette sandwiches.

I have never seen a pineapple plant before - the leaves are razor sharp and very dangerous!!

Some unlucky but delicious piggies at the Botanical Restaurant in Tahiti. We feasted on these and other local cuisine that all cooked in an underground oven.

It takes some strong men to remove all of the oven's contents - there were three layers of food in there.

Beautiful swordfish at the Le Mahogany Restaurant in Tahiti, one of many French bistros on the island.

Because of the French influence, you can get fantastic croissants and baguettes in Tahiti.

The tarte tatin at Le Mahogany Restaurant, quite honestly the BEST I have ever had.