Due to our tight timeline the plan was to visit the atoll’s of Ahe, Rangiroa, and possibly Tikehau. Of course things being as they are, we were waylaid by a serious lack of wind. The estimated 3 – 4 day journey to the Tuamotu’s took us 7 days and some tough decisions had to be made. The axe came down and it was decided we would only be able to visit Rangiroa. However, this is the most popular and biggest of all the atolls in the Tuamotu’s chain.Navigating our way through a narrow channel that was severely ebbing, it looked like a white water river, but we didn’t care we wanted in, we arrived mid morning. Getting our bearings, we anchored and the girls jumped in for a swim.
We only made it to the next boat over and then Brian picked us up. Off to town we went, with Lydia deciding she would just swim in. After scoping out the area (you could walk from the lagoon to the opposite shore on the pacific in 10 minutes max), we stopped in a little out of the way resort/bungalow place for cocktails. The deck was right on the water, overlooking the channel that we had come through earlier that morning. Liz and I ate the best ice cream I might have ever had (vanilla bean, coconut, and honey flavored).
The next day, Brian, Liz, and I hitched a ride to town, 7.5 miles away. As we walked past the channel, who did we see come through? Yup, Escapade - The little boat that could and they were not having any fun managing the ebbing current either. Anyhow, we spent all day in town but at last were successful in getting on the internet, and finally getting some cash. The bank’s ATM’s don’t work when they lose their electronic connection and you just have to wait. Ahhh, the island life. We attempted to go wine tasting but the cellar was closed due to a “financial re-organizing”. Hmmm, too bad. We also visited a pearl farm but really the place for Tahitian pearls would have been on Ahe. That was too bad as well.
Well, we had a date with a lady Lydia had met the day before and were invited to her house for drinks. Somehow all 5 of us managed to find Claudine’s place and arrive within minutes of each other. She proudly showed us her magnificent guest house and property. She was expanding and had purchase some bungalows from the failed hotel we were anchored in front of. She is located on the Pacific side, not the lagoon side however. It was awesome but not to wear out our welcome, we dismissed ourselves at the hour of 8pm.
Due to the limited timeframe we had another choice, a pink sand beach or a visit to the Blue Lagoon. The blue lagoon won out and bright and early we were off & motoring the 15 nm across the lagoon to check it out. We arrived around 11am, dropped the dinghy in the water, and took off towards the shore. On the way, huge manta rays swam by and Brian quickly cut the motor, donned his snorkel gear and went in, followed quickly by Liz and Lydia. They swam with the Mantas and it was so cool. As we approached the area near the lagoon, there were hundreds of black tipped reef sharks of all sizes in the water. The lagoon, within the lagoon, was created by this amazing reef.
We dropped the dinghy anchor just outside the blue lagoon, made a plan to met back, and all jumped into the water.
The lagoon was amazing. It was a big pool of blue water. There were some sharks and a bazillion sea cucumbers but not much else. It was still neat but the snorkeling was best on the outside (but this was still within the main lagoon). So, we took off for the reef. This is the new best spot I have ever snorkeled and it was so warm in the water. Kitty in paradise.
Alas, it was time to go and we needed to motor back across as the only 2 channels out were on the other side. Tahiti here we come!
PS – I’m forty now.
I can not seem to post any photos on blogger so to view the pics click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnbrian/sets/72157624365033363/
Meow
