Vaka Eitu Island
05 September 2015
mac
9/5/2015
Moved over to #16 (Vakaeitu Island) today. Small cove tucked into the SE of the island with land on two sides and submerged rock and reef on most of the other two sides. Peaceful. Good to be away from the town. There is a "coral garden" (another label for a reputed good snorkeling area). It didn't turn out to be great by comparison with the one at Tahaa by Bora Bora but fun--quite a bit of surge over the reef. We were prepared because Ray (Sea Note) had shredded his wet suit the day before. On a more interesting note the group harvested some scallops for dinner. We added to the list of marine life seen: a couple of residing leatherback turtles who liked to come up and watch the boats and a few squid--evil looking creatures. The next day a mom and calf (humpback) came into the bay and played around breeching and spinning for about 20 minutes before heading out to deeper waters. Fun to watch. Usually the mom stays at or near the surface with the calf jumping in and out of the water like a 5 year old. Picture the image of a mom at the playground reading a boat and tracking her youngster moving around from swings to the jungle gym recklessly burning up energy and you get the idea. The pectoral fins on the humpback are impressive. Each seems to be about 1/3 the length of the whale. Imagine a sixty foot whale with appendage (arms) extending out 20 feet on each side of the body.
This mother was active in her own right for some of the time. She was rolling around and around smacking her pectoral fins on the water. The sound, like a gun going off, was what attracted Wendy to the sight. Soon she had the 5 boats in the anchorage up and watching the event. Got some pictures with a telescopic but I'll have to do some editing to bring them in closer. No one is racing out in a dingy to disturb them--just watching from the anchorage enjoying the thrill. Whales abound here".
Got a little repair done today fabricating a new piece for the Watt&Sea bracket out of teak to replace the piece that fell victim to the sun and sea. This was another "it takes a village event". Ray was over with his portable vise and saw. Dave was over with his tools and taking charge. I have just learned to sit back and provide beer as the "skilled set" takes over. A couple hours, 4 saw cuts, some filing, 4 precision holes and it is done. I've learned that I can grasp the problems and solutions conceptually and probably get it done after making it twice, but I simply can't compete with the experience of a contractor's eye with a saw or the precise drilling an all around mechanic. So, it's good to have skilled friends that are seemingly "addicted" to "problem solving". I'll just have to be satisfied by giving legal advice and performing marriage ceremonies. All in all, not a bad deal!