What a day! It was fantastic! Jacob said on the way home in the boat that it was the best day EVER!
On the boat
After 45mins we berthed at the jetty on the island. It's a long jetty and I had walked off first to 'bags' a good spot for us on the beach under the umbrellas. As I got to our spot, I heard the shrieks, 'There's a snake, there's a snake!' They had spotted the first clump of many, sunning themselves at the end of the jetty. The kids were fascinated of course. They couldn't wait to get all decked out with snorkels and masks and get into the water. It was just such a bluebird perfect day and they relished in it. They had only been in the water for 15mins when they all saw their first turtle. The species around these waters is the Green turtle. Some years there aren't many spotted but today they saw heaps of them. They were swimming alongside them and all got such a thrill. These beautiful big creatures were definitely the highlight of the day! Phare Amedee is the equivalent of a nursery for them and there is plenty of the 'grass' growing on the sand that they like to eat. The big ones we see are apparently only 10 - 15 years old but they are pretty big. It was disturbing to hear how many of the turtles die slow, very painful deaths from swallowing plastic bags in the ocean. They think the bags are jellyfish - common food for them - but the bags of course choke them and slowly they die of starvation because they can't eat again.
We went out in the glass-bottomed boat and saw some out on the reef also. It always surprises me when they come up for air. For such big bodies they have such cute little heads that just peep out on top of the water to take in air!
Out on the glass-bottomed boat
While we had stopped to look at the fish underneath the boat, a snake slithered up out of the water onto the back of the boat by the skipper. There were quite a few gasps (from me as well as I was right up that end of the boat!) Jonty was at the very end and the skipper just passed it to him to hold! Brave old Jonty just took it off the skipper and held it for a (short!) time - the facials betrayed that he wasn't feeling that calm about it all - legend!
At lunchtime we had our tropical feast. It was more appealing to some than others! Obviously a few of the kids dislike seafood, and there was plenty of that, but there was a variety of food so something for everyone.
Nothing wrong with the appetites of these boys and I can tell Cooper LOVES prawns!
There was a concert after lunch with the women demonstrating just how fast their hips can move if you have a good teacher! Some of our girls were asked up onto the stage to be taught a dance as well! I have some funny video footage but can't upload it as the internet is very slow.
The funniest part of the day though was Baz getting asked up on the stage to dance. He wasn't at all keen but our kids were not going to let him get out of it. It was very, very funny as the gorgeous Tahitian girl started gyrating around him as she removed Baz's tee-shirt then made out she was going to remove his shorts! The kids were beside themselves with laughter and couldn't believe their eyes! Of course that didn't happen but the dancer then dressed him in a grass skirt and put a coconut bra on him. I have had to promise to show my video footage at assembly!
Our very own Tahitian dancer extraordinaire!
The rest of the day was spent swimming and snorkelling - they couldn't get enough of it!
These creatures below certainly made an impact as well!
It was a fantastic day and a lovely ending for me was having a lady from Auckland come up and speak to me on the trip back to the mainland. She said what a fabulous bunch of kids we had! She had watched them on the boat trip over and had spoken to a few of them throughout the day.
Everyone was tired but well-satisfied with their day. I'm sure they will all have a great weekend too. Eloise is flying off to the Isle of Pines, Jonty heading off to some island on his host brother's grandfather's catamaran to some island and staying on the boat, Gabby and Julia are going whale watching on Gabby's host sister's boat down to the very south of the mainland, Tatiana is going to be camping on some island, Jayla going to some resort inland that the french teacher tells me is absolutely beautiful! Anya has been told by her host family a few times that they have a big surprise for her for the weekend. These are just the weekend expeditions I know about - they are definitely very lucky kids!
Bill arrived over this afternoon and Baz leaves on Monday. Veronique's husband is taking them fishing in the morning - they are being picked up at 6am! Bill has been hanging out for it as you will know that fishing is his most favourite past-time! Me......... forget about fishing! I will be sleeping in, going for walks and lying on the beach reading.
Au revoir from the travelling TIS crew until tomorrow!
Wow, looks like you a fantastic day. Great to see the sun out.
ReplyDeleteLove Jacob’s comment, I’m sure it sums up the day for everyone. Enjoy your weekend.
Will do! Thanks Amanda.
ReplyDeleteWish I was there, looks amazing!! Gorgeous pictures what a great experience.
ReplyDeletelooks like the kids enjoyed looking at the fish and snakes, hope they had fun swimming with them the water looks so blue.
ReplyDelete