Theres an almost adolescent level of giddy excitement right now. Remember when you were in middle school, with a nose that didn't fit your face and you probably parted your hair in the middle?

Back then there were specific times that were so exciting you felt like you were going to burst. For example, second only to the Christmas morning mayhem of gift (un)wrapping, was the last day of school before summer break. Picture yourself as you wait in your class, staring holes in the clock as it ticks down to the last seconds. The bell rings and you and your other friends burst outside singing the ridiculous song “schooool’s out. For. The summa”!

Yep. That's how we feel now. Not like I want to wear polyester shirts with enormous collars, just that the confinement is now lifted! Today we actually get to leave the dock on a legit tour of the island. Wow, its about to be summer break for adults!

Water falls, snorkling with tropical fish, black lava beaches, hikes in a lush mountainside ... We are just so excited to finally get out and see the island.

There are certain rules we still have to follow. The tour can't take more than 8 at a time, we have to mask up, keep our 6 feet distance, just like before. But at least now the stores have reopened, restaurants serve food, and we don't have to have a permission slip just to go out in public.

And good for Tahiti. They implemented a muscular public health policy right away, and now benefit from those efforts. I recognize that for many people, their own reprieve may seem indefinitely far in the future. But I'm thrilled for the shop owners here who can now sell us the trinkets and clothes and island trips and cooking classes that I'm going to line up for right off the bat.

Of course, inter-island traffic will remain closed for these next two weeks at least, but that is just fine by me. I'll walk their trails, and sample their cuisine and culture to learn more about this amazing place before we scoot off to the next slice of heaven.

Okay, the car arrives in one hour. Time to explore.