BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA — Here, family is the single most important thing in the lives of the locals. We experience that first-hand when we see Maui Taati in the blue and white outrigger Keishi as he approaches the dock with two passengers, his wife Nina and 6-year-old son Kenji.

FRENCH POLYNESIA, most notably Tahiti and Bora Bora, come to the top of the page of many folks’ Bucket List destinations. Technically located in the seven island group called The Society Islands it also includes Moorea, Taha’a, Raiatea, and lesser known islands Huahine and Tetiaroa.

MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA - “Off to the left!” announces Dr. Poole as we all turned our heads in unison to see the pod of spinner dolphins off the port side of our boat. Dancing and playing as if for our viewing pleasure, sometimes spinning in the air — as their name suggests; these magnificent mammals cavort around, oblivious to global warming, economic slowdowns and national debt issues.

BORA BORA, POLYNESIA - Our guide, Heifara Tairua drives the hilly roads that snake through Bora Bora deftly, intuitively — these hills have no secrets from him.