Manihi Pearl Beach Resort

"Where did the last month go, already a month since our vacation? We had a wonderful time in the Tuamotus. We were pleasantly surprised to find our accommodations upgraded in both Fakarava and Manihi. If you are responsible for that, we thank you wholeheartedly. Both atolls were beautiful, and the service at both resorts mostly efficient and always friendly. If I had to pick a favorite between the two, Manihi would win because the dive operation was so accommodating in making sure I got to dive safely and enjoyably. The food was good at both places, with Fakarava having an edge on dinners and Manihi on breakfasts. We were glad to find the pool at Manihi Pearl is fresh water now, not salt as the brochure said. The snorkeling was good at both places, but it would be hard to imagine better access than the over-water bungalow in Manihi. We rented a scooter and explored all 12 kilometers of Fakarava, but the water was too rough for many water excursions while we were there. We did the Black Pearl Farm tour in Manihi, and went diving most days. Larry loves octopuses, and has a knack for finding them on dives, even in the daytime, but he hadn't seen one on the trip until the last hour, when we were waiting to be picked up and taken to the airport. We were packed, dressed and had just fed the fish around the bungalow the last of the bread. We were on the deck looking at the water when two red octopuses swam in and systematically scoured the whole backyard reef for any edible creature. They approached stealthily, coral head by coral head, changing color and texture as they camouflaged to fit in, here and there snaking an arm into a hole in the reef, carefully covering the back door with another arm. When one caught prey and ate it, it would flash neon bright color excitedly, and the other octopus would acknowledge the other's success by flashing back. We witnessed several meals for each as they moved on down the lagoon, still hunting. Thank you for the amazing chocolate strawberries; I've never seen anything like them. I swear we tried to make them last for two days. :-) That was so sweet of you. Thank you for all you have done for us. Aloha a hui hou. Alice " - Alice Smith, New York, 2008-03-30