Monday June 27th

Aloha all-

We anchored yesterday evening just inside the south end of the lagoon
(still on Fakarava Island). The village here is Tetamanu. We anchored a
few hundred yards from a huge yacht from Australia. The people came over
to say ‘hello’ & Jim asked them if we could join them in the AM for a
snorkeling tour, since our dinghy motor isn’t running. They generously
obliged & we had a great time; the reef here is teeming with life! We
started out in front of the ‘pension’ (hotel/bungalows) & let the
current carry us along to near the mouth of the lagoon. The water is
ultra clear & as soon as you get in, you’re surrounded by fish of every
size, shape & color, including many reef sharks. The sharks mostly
stayed around 20-30-foot depths, but occasionally would become curious &
approach us. I was surprised to see a stray one meander into very
shallow water a few times, as well. John tried to offer himself up to a
huge moray eel (he didn’t see it), as Judy, one the Australian ladies &
I looked on in horror. He dove RIGHT in front of the big guy, passing
within a foot or so. I tried to get his attention, but couldn’t until he
surfaced. The coral was beautiful also, with a few colored ones here &
there. It was like living a Jacques Cousteau documentary! Absolutely
AMAZING. We plan on pulling up anchor around 12N today, to head for
Papeete. I will (sadly) be leaving the adventure team July 1st, to fly
home to Kauai, Hawaii.

Much love to you all,
Darla

HI to all

Early this morning we had an extraordinary snorkel at the south pass of
Fakarava. To mention just a few there were schools of needle fish,
yellow and black striped Sargent Majors, Multi-colored blue and green
Parrot Fish, and of course white tipped and black tipped sharks. WE were
also all carefully swimming around lots different kinds and colors of
coral. This truly topped off our stay at an extraordinary and special
island atoll of Fakarava. And we say “Thank you” as we sail about 250
miles to Papette next.

Love Jim