We had a weather window to move the day after we anchored here in southern Tahanea, but we didn’t take it. There might have been a slight chance forecasted to leave yesterday, but it never developed. We’re just hanging out and loving it!
Last week we were foraging the island for coconuts and came across many island crabs so we caught a eight. To prepare the island crab Wade broke the legs and claws off and put them in the pot. Really only the legs and claws are good because the body has little meat for the work. Sara wanted to help but felt so bad for the crab she cried and said prayers. Of course her tears stopped when dipping the cooked meat in butter, haha.
A couple days later Sara felt her joints ache and her energy level drained. We are still not sure what she caught but for the next three days she was battling a temp of 102 and didn’t move off the couch. We sat around watching movies all three days just resting and letting Sara get better. Happily she was on her feet just in time for Wade’s birthday!
The boat had been decorated all week and ready to celebrate before Sara got sick, but she made up for it with a pizza and rum cake. The pizza sauce had fresh oregano, basil, and peppers from the garden. She thought she was grabbing only bell peppers but grabbed a jalapeno too. The oils from the pepper took a second to seep in her hands and of course every part of her body she touched before realizing that the peppers were burning. Thankfully she’s a clean cook and only touched her forehead and nowhere else, haha. The birthday boy enjoyed the show as he relaxed with the royal treatment and didn’t wait for anything.
After feeling better we started exploring the lagoon and the surrounding coral heads. The bommies close to shore aren’t really anything to write home about, but the coral heads out deeper are amazing! Our favorite coral head had so much life, we rated it 5 stars (16°55’38”,144°35’37”). Where we tied the dinghy and entered the water there were so many larger fish. Blue trevally, jacks, only one shark, minnows, unicorn fish, grouper, octopus, parrotfish the list could go on and on there was so much life. The coral head itself was glowing from all of the live coral. As we swam around the coral head a baby Red Grouper a foot long swam with us. We can only assume that the larger 2 1/2 foot Red Grouper following the little grouper was a parent. The Tuamotus atoll grouper are so bizarre because they actually come out of their hiding hole and stare at you. It’s as if they’ve never seen a human and they are not worried about being killed. It’s almost magical.
We are keeping our eyes out for the next weather window but who knows when that will be. We might be here long enough to start taking up residency, haha.
Comfort Cruising Tip: Bring mosquito spray, and not the girly kind. Bring the deet! The no-see-ums are like flying teeth. Extra Strength Benadryl cream works a little to relieve the itch but oh my you can loose sleep itching.
King Neptune Garden update: We have our first tomato ready and as one started to ripen two more also turned pink.
Boat Position: 16 degrees 57.360 minutes south and 144 degrees 34.967 minutes west.
Cheers,
Wade and Sara
