We left Tahiti on Monday and arrived in Moorea (latitude 17 30’S longitude 149 50’W) staying in Opunohu Bay. It was only an 18 mile trip from Tahiti, so all went well.

After arriving we discovered that the repair to the refrigerator system was not working. So we had to go back to Tahiti to get it fixed again. We left early in the morning got it fixed and returned to Moorea the same day. We were disappointed that we had to go back to Tahiti, but on the way at 7 am we saw 5-8 Humpback whales jumping out of the water maybe ¼ of a mile away. It was truly awesome. Than when we arrived in Tahiti we spotted another pod swimming on the surface. I am now truly inspired to dive with them and given the opportunity I will. The whales come up from Antarctica this time of year and hang out in the islands, than return in November.

That night we went out to dinner, watched and listened to some performers playing Polynesian music and doing Polynesian dances. It was pretty cool. see attached

On Thursday we rented mopeds and drove around the Island (40miles). It is really beautiful island with a friendly population of 13,000.

On Friday Mike and I did our first dive here. We saw maybe 10 or so black tip sharks (3-5ft) and 4 Lemon sharks (8-12 ft) all up close and in person. The next day we did the same dive and swam with the sharks again. So I am over the sharks now and on to Whales.

Today we are going to a hotel on the water that has Banana splits, which Mike and I love and do not get very often (no Baskin Robins down here).

The next Island is Raiatea which is 90 miles from Moorea to the N. E… So the adventure continues. Next week I will report on this new Island and who knows maybe I will have a story to tell about diving with the whales.

Love Gary
www.realityinterrupted.com