Tahitian Reconnaissance Mission, April 18-22, 1999 Page 1 of 2. Click on an image to see it enlarged with a caption.

A fuller inspection of Tahiti and her islands was necessary after last year's Moorea Blue Marathon and before next year's Tahiti Marathon. Christopher Pierre, Claire Leonard, Jon Lowden, and Eddy Matzger worked hard while surveying the sample material of dreams.

The reconnoitering proved fruitful. Smooth roads with stunning views, heaping plates of poisson-cru (raw fish salad), fetching natives, and multi-sport adventures awaited on Raiatea, Moorea, and Tahiti.

Tavida the fire-eating tattoo man and Maari, the rambutan-loving Tiki dancer met us and hung on Moorea. They joined for a day of frolicing and skating on Tahiti, where serious sessions with French Polynesia's Minister of Sports yielded serious progress: February 20 was set as the date for next year's Tahiti Marathon. Mark it in on your calendar with big bold bright letters followed by many exclamation points!

Two popular mini-workshops attracted a multitude of skaters from local associations. Many onlookers were sucked into participation by a bagful of skates at the ready. Stayed tuned for breaking news of a fantastic Salomon program designed to give Tahitians access to the Y2K Tahiti Marathon.

The final analysis of the most recent reconnaissance was that the terrain is extremely suitable, and the natives are very favorably disposed to seeing us skaters again soon. Stay tuned.

	Pickup ride		Skating paradise		Plane view
	Fertility rite		Happy skater back!		Party of two
	Pearly smiles		Funky chickens		Play or for real?
	Cuddling kiddies		New tattoo		Skatehead

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