POLYNÉSIE FRANÇAISE

Exotic destination, lush landscapes, crystal clear turquoise waters and white sand: just a few adjectives that describe French Polynesia. A place for those who want to relax, unwind or enjoy their honeymoon. As expected, off we went to set sail for the Pacific Ocean.

To fully experience what this Garden of Eden has to offer, we stayed in what is considered one of the region's greatest attractions, the bungalows built on stilts in the sea. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed with flower necklaces and fruit juice cocktails decorated with umbrellas. Locals played the popular ukulele, an instrument that I would describe as a smaller cousin of the guitar, with a unique and very cool sound.

I don't remember the real name of the island, I think I was fascinated by the amount of things to do, so many photographic records... the trip was at a time when photos were taken with analog cameras, remember those times? They didn't have the feature of cell phones where you can click on them and see the geolocation, so I'll owe you that information, but let's look on the bright side, we were already in the digital age and not the era of square Kodak photos. Moving on!

With no time to waste, the plan for the day was to immerse ourselves in the local culture, so we went to spend the day with fishermen. The friendly family that welcomed us gave us a general overview of Polynesian culture and customs. While we walked around the islet, they excitedly took us to what was the equivalent of their backyard. They wanted to show us something interesting. Excitedly, they asked us to go into the sea, and polite as we are, we did. Suddenly, I looked at my husband and he looked at me. With a petrified look, I asked: “Is that... what I think it is?” He nodded something like, “Yes, it is! Yes, it is! Yes, it is!” Amused by my panic, the fisherman said in a French accent from the countryside, “Don’t worry, they’re calm.” Well, having only a plastic fence in the water separating us from sharks is not something that inspires confidence. How crazy, people! But I admit it was fun to come face to face with these feared predators, and certainly rewarding to observe them in the wild.

Not to belittle the previous experience, but really, the highlight of this trip was the dolphins. A piece of paradise sculpted by nature, the coast has what are called natural enclosures, spaces where the magnificent mammal comes close, giving biologists and scientists the chance to work together, study them up close, advance research into marine life and, most importantly, promote awareness among the population and visitors about the preservation of this very special creature.

When we visit one of these enclosures, we are led to the sea. While the keeper explains everything about dolphins in detail, a very lively one comes up to us. Showing off, he wants to show us that he can jump and do somersaults. As expected, the poor guy lost all my attention. After showing us that he knows how to do acrobatics, he comes to meet us and examine us with his snout – that is probably not the correct name, but you get the idea, right? I was encouraged to give him a kiss, it was impossible not to fall in love. After a few more explanations with him nearby, and because he was calm in our presence, we were given the opportunity to hug him. When I wrapped him in my arms, I was taken by surprise: with my hand I could feel his heart beating! No comments! I can't even imagine how to describe this unique sensation to you, but I would say that I was in a State of Complete Amazement.

Experience is essential! Our experiences there had a positive impact on us and without a doubt, this vacation has earned a special place in our memories, leaving us wanting more.

Creatures with unparalleled intelligence and highly developed communication skills make us reevaluate the values of life. Therefore, it is the mission of human beings to preserve them, seeking to end the threats that surround them, such as the destruction of their habitat, pollution of the seas, fishing and capture to be kept in captivity for shows in theme parks.

Without them, the marine ecosystem is compromised and unbalanced. It is our duty to rewrite this history. But don't stress, you don't need to wake up early on Sunday and participate in a Green Peace march in favor of dolphins. It's not a cliché, it's because we don't stop to think that small gestures do count a lot, such as consciously disposing of your trash, selective collection and recycling, simple actions that have significant results for the environment. Last but not least, do not participate in events that use animals as a form of entertainment. Small gestures, huge positive impacts.