Sea, Snakes and Sunshine

Just arrived home a little while ago after our biggest day yet. The kids will be so tired from the sun, snorkelling and climbing up the 231steps of the lighthouse then coming back down again! We had a fantastic day and the kids all said it was the best day ever!  The weather was absolutely perfect here and over there, but when we left the harbour and got out into the lagoon the sea was a bit choppy but the boat is so big, we hardly noticed it.

                                      Our ride out to Phare Amedee - the Mary D Princess

                                                             Welcoming us aboard

                                                 Leaving the harbour at Port Moselle

Leaving Port Moselle

We set up camp on the beach and all the the kids wanted to do was get on their masks and snorkels and dive in!  They were so excited with each new 'find' and yelled out to each other so they could all find that particular fish or turtle or starfish or sea cucumber or whatever! They loved swimming with turtles and we were lucky this year that there were quite a few close to shore.Only half wanted to go out on the big boat later in the morning. They went out to the main reef on that and fed the larger fish and saw some large sting rays as well. The other half wanted to stay put with me and swim and snorkel. 

At 12.30 we went into a covered area and had a fabulous tropical feast. For appetisers there were olives, cheese and sliced baguette, followed by tuna, mussels, beef, venison, salmon, a huge variety of salads, a couple of potato dishes and rice. For dessert we had a variety of dishes with piles of fresh fruit. Taine discovered that he didn't like olives!

After lunch we had a cultural concert.  The music and dancing was from French Polynesia though so nothing from Melanesia. Apparently they cannot get kanak groups to come out there and do this.  The dancing from french polynesia is far more graceful and fluid and the music not as harsh as that of the kanaks.  We often hear tunes on the Phare Amedee trip we recognise as Maori songs but with the wording a bit different e.g. Po Kare Kare Ana!  Today they started singing Poi E and Chloe turned to me and was quite indignant "they can't sing that. It's a Maori song!"

Our boat berthed at the island

                                                             

How far are we from home?

                                                                     Snorkelling time

In the afternoon we went out on a glassbottomed boat and saw turtles again and a variety of fish. The kids loved this too. Later there was a pareo tying demonstration, a coconut palm climbing demo and then they climbed to the top of the Lighthouse - no mean feat!  The view up there is amazing so there will be some fantastic photos for you. They were intrigued with the seasnakes of course and became a bit more used to them after a number of sightings on shore. 

                                                                       The Lighthouse

                                                          A colour-coordinating starfish

                                                                   One of the dancers

            Our concert band - note the double bass on the left - a plastic rubbish bin, a broom handle and a bit of string!!  How do they get it to sound exactly like a normal Instrument??

                                                                       Tucker tim
e

                                                            They can sure move their hips!

Our girls being taught to hula

We boarded the boat to come home again at 3.30pm.  The wind had come up quite a bit more out in the open lagoon than this morning, so much of the trip home was rough. The kids were fine and it didn't worry them but I must say I prefer being able to admire the scenery leisurely as we travel home - not wonder which direction my stomach is going to lurch to next as we ride the waves!

                                                     The view as we left the island

                                                         On the glass-bottomed boat

                                                             

Le Tricot Rayee

                                                               Construction on the beach

                                                                     Beach ballet

                                                               Cruising in the shallows

and.... cruising on the sand

I'm sure all the kids would have been in bed early tonight, but the day will be a highlight of the trip for them.  I hear you had rain forecast today. Hopefully some sunshine for you soon.....

Bonne nuit!

Colleen