Yesterday, April 1, “Switched at Birth” star Gilles Marini shared the end of an incredible story with his Facebook followers, which he began to post about over Easter weekend, on Saturday, March 30.
Gilles is currently on vacation with his family during the SAB hiatus in the island paradise of Bora Bora. What started out as a fun-filled, relaxing trip has evolved into an inspirational, spiritually-rejuvenating journey for the charismatic actor who is widely known for his philanthropic efforts and his philosophy to live life with a focus on serving others and spreading love and kindness whenever possible.
On this particular trip, Gilles and his friend Chris Offutt joined the search for a missing local man. The effort led them into some treacherous terrain, where they made some unexpected contact with local people.
Though the outcome wasn't what they hoped, the overall experience made a lasting and lifetime impression on Gilles, who took time out from his vacation to discuss what happened in the following exclusive Q & A.
First, to get a sense of where he’s at, Bora Bora is an island paradise in the group of Society Islands of French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by a lagoon and barrier reef, it’s a perfect place for an aqua-centric vacation. Because its population is so small (less than 10,000), Bora Bora’s economy is largely driven by tourism.
Gilles and his wife, Carole, son, Georges and daughter, Juliana, are staying at one of the island’s beautiful resorts. The entire Marini family has been enjoying a wide range of water-related activities, including swimming and kayaking. They even swam with stingrays and sharks!
On Easter Sunday, the Marinis enjoyed a private brunch with friends, and drank from coconuts (the trees are plentiful there). Throughout the festivities, Gilles continued to think about his profound search experience and came away with an even deeper sense that we are all connected and we need to constantly ask ourselves what we can do to make a difference around us.
E: You have been posting some amazing pix on Facebook and Twitter. This kind of natural setting has to be vastly different from LA. How has it rejuvenated your spirit?
GM: It's just been amazing for my family and me. It’s the polar opposite of what we have in Los Angeles. Bora Bora is peaceful and quiet, but fun, so full of cool activities and more; spiritual to the core and you leave with fully recharged batteries.
E: What have Carole and the kids enjoyed most?
GM: Carole has enjoyed the beach the most. [Thank God] she loves to go swimming all day, relax and as always, she takes cares of all the logistics and making sure all goes well. My daughter is super active in the water too. My son is more adventurous with me. But this time, many local on the Motu wanted to hang with him so he stayed much more inside the resort.
E: You swam with sharks?!
GM: We had a great time swimming with the sharks and rays. My kids have always thought due to TV that those creatures are dangerous. The experience was amazing and now I believe my kids see those creatures in a different light. They respect them and probably will care about them. They can explain to their friends how it is for real versus in the movies. That I love.
E: What was your favorite time with Carole and the kids?
GM: My favorite time with the kids our friends and my wife was Easter lunch on a private beach with a local family that made an incredible traditional Tahitian meal--absolutely amazing time! I played with so many kids that day, I felt like one again!
E: You went on a search for a missing local man – in a risky mountainside and jungle. Why did you decide to join the search? Can you tell me about it?
GM: Well we heard that a local man was missing, so as a normal human being I decided to go on a search with my friend Chris Offutt. We had to be at least 2 due to the danger that this jungle exposed. If I did not go and search for this man and try my hardest, I would never want to look at myself in the mirror. Imagine if it is you there and everyone gives up?
So we went and tried to retrace what could have happened to him. We ended up in a very crazy situation with no way back, the only way to go was up --very hard to explain. It was just brutal and made me realize that if someone falls there, it's over, unfortunately.
On our way back down, after hours of searching, we heard some noise. It was three men from the local village of Fanui, Gerald , Tan and Theophile, who were also looking for him. They were about to go where we just did. So we all decided to climb back down. They were absolutely stunned that two tourists on vacation with family and all, decided to look for one of their own. They were emotional about it and it made me realize that Chris and I were doing something special.
On the way down, I saw people living in such a precarious way. Living in shacks with so little. It was an absolute wake up call. We talked and shared goods. I gave those kids cookies and stuff I brought in my backpack. Somehow I kind of new I would come across some young kids and toddlers. I don't know why? The man of that house gave us some of his grapefruits. God they were much needed--we were so dehydrated.
We kept going down and reached Theophile's house. Keep in mind, this man went on a search with a broken pair of flip flops. He never said anything. When we arrived at his humble little place, we met his son who actually had a very swollen ankle. He could not even stand. Lucky for him, Chris Offutt is a foot surgeon, so he went and helped him out. What a great moment for us! At least we finally could directly help someone. We hope he will recover soon!
E: So you gave the searchers your shoes and walked back to your hotel barefoot?
GM: Before we left the house, I could not leave those incredible two guides without a little gift. I noticed they looked at our weird looking shoes. Reebok Zig Zag-- imagine how strange it is for them to see those shoes. So I insisted and we both (Chris and I) gave them our shoes. They were in shock. Now we both know two guides in Bora Bora have two brand new pair of comfortable shoes to do their job.
We walked back barefoot to the resort desk. [It was] probably the best walk in my life. I simply felt this is what life is all about. The next day we heard that they finally sent the army to look for the man, and yes they found him. The worst part for us is to know that where we were, was just hundreds of feet away from where he had fallen. The story ends up in a sad note, the man died. All of us were heartbroken.
E: You've received so many comments from fans, thanking you for inspiring them to do good, go for their dreams and be better as people. What do these kinds of compliments mean to you?
GM: I read everything. Those comments are so important to me. It makes me realize that yes, those media outlets can be used for good things also. More than getting compliments for doing what everyone would have done, I am so humbled by how close I am to all of you guys when something real happens in my life. Hollywood is a very tricky world with a lot going on. My experience here was so far away from what I ever expected, it made me feel so, so alive. I truly feel like a new man. I thank all of you for listening and for your messages. They are always highly appreciated.
E: So many people, in fact, comment first on what an amazing, kind, humble and compassionate person you are, outside of your celebrity status. It’s really quite something, if you think about it, that people think of you so often as more beautiful on the inside than the outside. How do you manage to stay so grounded in light of your success? Where do you think your compassionate nature comes from?
GM: Look we only live once and how would you want to be remembered? I have kids. I have, due to my job, a probably higher responsibility to do good things in my life. But also, since I was a kid, I love doing things out of context, helping friends, being different, being a special kind of man is important for me.
E: What do you think is the key to helping each other and making the world a better place? How can we start within ourselves to make a change around us? How can we help ourselves and others realize our dreams?
GM: I want this world to go into the right direction and as once someone said, it starts with the ‘man in the mirror.’ So look at yourself every morning and ask yourself what you can do to make this place a better place. It doesn’t matter how small or big the gesture is, what matters is your intentions. I believe in that, I believe in you all and love you all.
Yesterday (post Q & A), Gilles posted an end to his story on Facebook. Gilles returned to Theophile’s house and it turns out the man whose children he gave cookies to, named Fabrito, found the missing man’s body. Gilles posted this statement about this amazing, profound experience:
“So we all hugged and shared our info to always keep in touch [because] the bond that was created that day between complete strangers, all united to find someone they don't even know was so strong! Instant friendship and mutual respect, all Heart! I love the Polynesian culture and passion toward Nature and life. It's very profound and beautiful. Simple and pure! We are so honored that the people of Bora Bora looking at us in such way and making us understand that we are part of their family!”
Overall, any moment in time can provide us with the chance to help someone else, the chance to change someone else’s life and show them an example of human kindness at work in a real and tangible way. Gilles Marini remains dedicated to doing his part to reach out however and whenever he can.
He told me he’s the most grateful to just be alive, to have his family, and that they are all healthy and happy. Now, Gilles can add being grateful for this trip to paradise that opened his heart and his eyes in a most unexpected and inspiring way.
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