Rangiroa, French Polynesia

When seen from the sky, it is clear why the Blue Lagoon is called a “lagoon within the lagoon.” The atoll Tikehau is seen in the distance.

A rainbow pierces the clouds above Motu Avea Rahi, also known as Le Sauvage, Hotel Kia Ora’s private island.

Jeff Amlotte flies a kite on the beach of Le Sauvage, Hotel Kia Ora’s private island on the south side of the atoll.

Starlight and two tealights illuminate a bungalow at Hotel Kia Ora’s satellite property on the south side of the lagoon, Le Sauvage.

The Blue Lagoon gives shelter to juvenile blacktip reef sharks.

Resident dog Belle stalks blacktip reef sharks at Hotel Kia Ora’s private island, Le Sauvage.

Blacktip reef sharks are usually timid around people and are not known to attack without provocation.

Bottlenose dolphins play in the Tiputa Pass. They can usually been seen twice a day when the current is strong.

An Amlotte is surrounded by fish near Hotel Kia Ora’s over-water bungalows.

A school of Convict Tang nibbles on the coral near the over-water bungalows. A Titan Triggerfish and Picasso Triggerfish can be seen in the background.

Hotel Kia Ora’s over-water bungalows are seen from the beach near the hotel’s lobby. In the distance is Wind Spirit, one of Windstar Cruises’ ships.

Hotel Kia Ora’s over-water bungalows as seen from a kayak.

The bungalows at Le Sauvage are constructed from local materials. There is no electricity, but a water heater is hooked up.

Le Sauvage’s host Michel carries a guest’s luggage to the boat. The island can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests at a time.

Boats are parked at Hotel Kia Ora’s private dock. In the distance is Wind Spirit, one of Windstar Cruises’ ships.

Jeff Amlotte floats in the lagoon near Hotel Kia Ora’s over-water bungalows after the sun disappeared from view.

Tour guides prepare lunch for guests in a shack next to the Blue Lagoon.

Michel, host at Le Sauvage, blows the conch shell to let guests know lunch is ready.

Meals at Le Sauvage are prepared and served in the restaurant by Michel and his wife, Tetuanui. Breakfast included pancakes and French toast while lunch usually consisted of freshly caught fish, veggie platter, bread and fruit.

Each of Hotel Kia Ora’s over-water bungalows has a small window in the floor to look at the fish. It could be lighted from below at night.

An Amlotte spends some time with a Titan Triggerfish and his friends in the lagoon.

A ladder from the deck of Hotel Kia Ora’s over-water bungalow gives direct lagoon access for snorkeling. Fish were always waiting.

An uninhabited motu near Le Sauvage offered the prettiest coral we had seen so far.

A school of small fish near a spot known as “Shark City.” A lemon shark and its pilot fish can be seen in the center.

Tiny hermit crabs can be found all over the beach on the oceanside of the atoll, near Hotel Kia Ora.

Interior of Pool Villa No. 23 at Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa. Each villa offers a king bed, plenty of storage, iPod docking station, flat-screen TV, dual sinks plus indoor and outdoor showers. A soaking tub and plunge pool complete the private yard.

An Amlotte enjoys the outdoor tub of Pool Villa No. 23 at Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa.

In Los Angeles we are used to seeing light clouds against a dark sky at night. In Rangiroa, where there is no light pollution, it is the opposite.