As we woke up this morning we tidied up the boat and prepared to take off. We decided to head to the Coral Gardens inside the lagoon in North Tahaa. We sailed along the beautiful Tahaa coast and soon we saw Chez Louise. Other than that, only a few beach bungalows dot the coastline. We began to see Bora Bora appear in the distance and I started belting out the South Pacific tunes I am familiar with. All of a sudden a large motu appeared separate from what I thought was part of Tahaa. This is called Private Island because it is owned by a hotel and is decked out with the luxurious over-the-water private cottages you’ve probably seen whenever Tahiti and its other islands are advertised.
As we approached we saw the big yacht from the Sausalito Yacht Club that I described before when we were in Moorea. We lowered our dinghy and got on board. Now the winds were picking up again and the skies were dark above Tahaa, but not above us. Terry and Lori came driving up in there dinghy with big smiles on their faces. They had just finished swimming in the Coral Gardens and said it was absolutely beautiful. We motored toward the motu and found ourselves in about four feet of water. Into the water we splashed and took off toward the coral. I couldn’t believe my eyes. We had seen lot’s of fish before in Tahiti and Moorea, but nothing like this. There were many different types of colorful coral and thousands of different types of fish. Fish of all types of shapes and sizes surrounded us as we carefully maneuvered through 3 – 4 feet of water and large mounds of coral. We saw a sting ray and an eel, but mostly exotically colored fish. I truly felt like I was swimming in an aquarium. Jock brought a zip lock bag of bread and he and Jerry started feeding the fish. They were coming from all over to nibble up the chow. It all was pretty fascinating, but I kept a friendly distance until one of these clowns threw some bread my way. Now the fish were all over me nibbling and fighting over the bread. Unable to keep my typical calm demeanor (ha-ha) I started screaming, “Jerry, don’t throw the bread at me. That makes me mad, blah blah blah!!!” Jerry then responded in his chivalrous way, “It wasn’t me, it was Jock!” Jock started apologizing all over himself, “I’m so sorry, I thought you would like it, I’m so sorry!” Anyway, we all had a good laugh and I survived another fish feeding frenzy.
Jerry drove the dinghy on our way back to the boat while Jock and I sat in the front. It was pretty choppy and the skies turned black. Soon the rain was pelting us and it felt like we were getting attacked by rice. The water was warmer than the air. Cowabunga Buffalo Bob! This ride back in the dinghy was a blast and we all were cracking up as a big rainbow filled the sky.
The water was getting rougher than before and the guys were busy bringing the dinghy onboard and securing the motor to the stern, so I went down below and made tuna fish sandwiches. The boat was rocking and rolling, but I really didn’t seem to notice. Soon they were finished and I popped up with the lunch. Neither could believe that I could go below in these conditions. They both pronounced that I now have my sea legs and I won’t get seasick again… let’s hope not. We took off for Raiatea and I decided to go below to get my book. I finished Mutiny on the Bounty and now wanted to begin the second book in the trilogy, Men Against the Sea. Soon I became sleepy and took a nap in the cabin. Wow, I guess I really do have my sea legs now! When I woke up I went on deck and realized we were coming into port in Raiatea! Or so I thought...
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