We finally stopped kidding ourselves that we were leaving in the next week to two weeks, so we spent the whole day pulling out our scuba diving equipment from the deepest parts of the boat and at 3:18 PM we began our descent below the waterline. We were first greeted by a small white tip shark that preceded to circle us before giving up and swimming away. If you could imagine walking down the Magnificent mile the people are fish, the window decorations are the coral, the side walk is white sand, and the towering bombies are the giant skyscrapers. The biggest fish we saw was a fat 3 foot long Grouper. We cut our dive a little short as Sara’s LPI connector had a small leak. As we waited at our safety stop a small black tip reef shark cruised by showing teeth to Wade. Luckily we were ready for the surface and kept on moving on. Back at the boat we cleaned our gear, took showers, and refilled our tanks for tomorrow’s adventure.
We had snorkeled the area we planned to dive the day before while hunting for black shell oysters. Last week we grabbed a couple of black oysters just for a taste and fell in love. We do not recommend the clams but the black oysters are to die for. The first time we cooked the oysters we tested pan frying them in butter and garlic; butter, garlic, and Tony’s, sweet and sour, panko fried, and teriyaki. The butter, garlic with Tony’s and teriyaki were our favorites. Last night we treated them as a shrimp or a scallop and made a creamy pasta.
Loose Recipe for Black Oyster Creamy Pasta
Lightly simmer until translucent
Salted Butter
Minced Garlic
Chopped White Onion
Add
cup of vermouth
Simmer one to two minutes
3 table spoons dried parsley
table spoon dried oregano
Sprinkle of nutmeg
Sprinkle of tony’s
Lay the black oysters in the pan and sprinkle with Lemon pepper Pour 1 cup of heavy cream
On low heat watch for the oysters to curl
Spread over pasta of choice
Dust with cayenne and fresh Parmesan
Our stay has been pleasant, each weekend we make our way back to Te Tautua village and we have gotten to know all twenty something locals that live in the village. Paula a professional hat maker has offered to make Sara a hat, a broom, and a fan. The hats are beautifully woven from 5 palm frond’s, stark white and generally sold for $250 to $300 NZ in Raratonga, we feel she’s being too generous so we too have decided to give her the gift that keeps giving and have started planting our seeds in return. King Neptune and Poseidon’s Garden will be full again.
We anchored in 80 feet and the wind is howling from 15 to 20 knots but the moon is full and there is no one around for miles. It’s beautiful night.
We hope all is well and we miss you all!
Wade and Sara
