A coral atoll is full of coral heads. The english speakers from this part of the world call them “bombies.” Where we anchored off the Apataki Carenage we are close to a bombie. When we swing on a wind out of the east there is just enough room for our dinghy to clear the bombie with our stern to it. At first we thought it a bit un-nerving to be so close, and yet now we realize it provides all sorts of benefits.

First, there is Tern, we think a Crested Tern, who is often there and that provides some entertainment and a focus for wildlife photographers on board. Then, it also provides a wonderful place to snorkle should we want a break from our boat work. And finally, if the wind is really howling as it was last night, it gives a point of reference, in this case off our port beam, to reassure us that we are still anchored in the same place.

We are anchored in about 25 feet of water in sand. There are enough little coral patches on the bottom that I have floated the chain using fenders to keep us from dragging across the coral. This also prevents us tangling our chain around them.