Cruiser's Life in Paradise
29 May 2012 | Anchored at Rangiroa, Tuamotos, French Polynesia
Larry Nelson
This is something almost anyone could enjoy. We are anchored where there is good holding for the anchor and protected by the Atol from ocean waves. The water around the boat is crystal clear. There is a 5 star resort just a short dinghy ride from our swim step where we gather at the bar and in the dining area with other cruisers. The food is really really good and beautifully served. We've tried other local restaurants with our cruising group but the Kia Ora stands out as exceptional.
Yesterday we got up early and took our dinghy to the pass. The current was flooding the Atol and we drifted with it while snorkeling. Karen saw a couple of dolphins. There is coral and myriad colorful little fish. Within the coral there are every manner of living stuff tucked into the holes. There are sharks too but no one I know has had any trouble with them. The problem divers have is two fold: (1) the dolphins tend to be deep and they go deeper when you are playing with them (because they stop swimming). [it is easy to end up way deeper than you intended to be] and (2) apparently they like to rub against you and they have some sort of bacteria/growth on their skin that can leave you with a bad infection. Everyone is told to wash their hands carefully after touching a dolphin.
We also drifted through the pass next to the coral island near the inlet. That was crystal clear water with really healthy looking coral.
After the snorkeling we returned to the boat and took a nap and read a book. At night there was a potluck at a cabin that SV Charisma (Chris, Alexis) rented. It was a great meal with lots of good company and also a little alcohol.
Tomorrow we are doing a trip in a local powerboat to the "blue lagoon". We'll do it in a day and be back aboard at night. The difficulty is if the wind comes up and we are anchored there in our own boat, the waves can get very large and there is no where to go to get protection. The atol is so large that the fetch within the atol is something to be concerned about. This way our boat is safe while we are away and we still get to see the lagoon.
Karen has been smothered in Leis while here. She was the "featured guest" at the local church service (which meant she got everyone's leis when they greeted her after the service) and also the Polynesian dance troupe leader at the Kia Ora Sunday night gave his lei to Karen. These are really nice Leis. They are almost too nice....the fragrance overpowers Karen. She sure looks nice though.
Day before yesterday we were visited by a cruise ship. The cruise ship passengers were taken to the public dock and presumably given a chance to "see the atol". From our perpective this opportunity would be completely sterile and uninteresting. The community involvement that comes from our friends all interacting with the atol community and then sharing it with us gives a much broader experience. Where to go and what to do are questions cruisers get really good at answering.