We have many adventures of Moorea we’d like to share with you. While there Mike and Gary did several dives off the reef where we were anchored. They say many fish, specifically large lemon sharks. Mike has become quite the pro at taking underwater pictures and was so excited to get the sharks on film for the website. You may remember we rented scooters one day and took many scenic pictures of the island as well. Unfortunately, Mike accidentally deleted many of our pictures. Not to worry, Mike and Gary dove again specifically to get more shark pictures for you all to enjoy. Mike and I then rented scooters again and re-took the scenic pictures as well. Unfortunately again, we lost the pictures but this time the whole camera with them. Apparently the Gods want to keep Moorea a secret and don’t want us to show any of the beautiful pictures! So….our apologies for not having the pictures updated yet. One day Mike and I took the dingy to another part of the island where we here you can swim with the sting rays and sharks. What an adventure! We were told where the spot is by the locals. We tied to a mooring ball and the water of course is crystal clear with sandy bottom. We watched the rays uncovered themselves from the sandy bottom and come straight for the boat. The black tip reef sharks arrived shortly after. There were about 12 rays and 8 sharks just swimming around the boat. I was pretty scared at first but Mike got in with me. As I clung to Mike the rays were on us….and I mean on us…..they nuzzle right up to you like a puppy because they want to be fed and are accustomed to being fed. We are in chest deep water and the rays are at your feet and move up your body to your chest. Once I realized they weren’t going to hurt us I unclung myself from Mike and moved about on my own. It was simply amazing that you can just stand there and pet these creatures…..oh and the sharks just swim around and don’t bother you…..not that I stopped watching them for a minute. We did manage to get some pictures of this adventure (with the old camera) and hopefully will be updating the website soon.

We were planning to leave Moorea on Monday evening at dusk as it is only a 75nm sail to Huahine and you want to arrive in daylight due to all the reefs that surround all of the islands here. Thus the reason for the night sail. As we prepared the boat for sailing that afternoon the winds and rain began and never let up. Just before dusk, land, that was a mere 120ft. from the boat, simply disappeared in the fog, mist, rain…….Long story short, we did not set sail that evening and good thing because the winds hit 50+kts (approx. 56 miles per hour) that night and it rained sideways. A few boats in the anchorage broke anchor during the night. Our anchor dragged and we had to re-anchor is the storm….not a fun or easy thing to accomplish but we did. I simply can’t imagine being in a hurricane on a boat. The winds have been blowing hard ever since and the cool air has moved in. Although it is winter here, this weather pattern is unusual for this time of year. The elders of the island told us that this is a good thing because the cool air will cool the water and make for a light cyclone season (hopefully). It has been so cool we had to actually wear coats and pants on the sail over to Huahine….(I know you all feel so bad for us!). During our sail to Huahine Thursday night we encountered some rough, high seas as you would expect after so much wind. Of course we made it safe and sound and actually had to reef the sail to slow down so we didn’t make our destination during the night.

So now we are enjoying life in Huahine at the moment. I will give you an update on this island soon. Life is Good. Love to all….