April 14
We left Manihi but didn't go to Ahi, it took several hours for the 3 boats in Manihi to get the anchors up due to being wrapped on rocks and rebar (left apparently from an old house over the water). By the time we would have been able to reach Ahi the tide was against us. You cannot enter the passes when the tide is running - it's very strong. Anyway we went to Rangiroa instead.
This morning we snorkelled in a place called "the aquarium" - it was incredible! We saw moorish idols, a number of different butterfly fish, millions of fish just swam around and under us in large schools, we saw the biggest moray eel I've ever seen, and had a small reef shark swimming by us - just 18 inches or so - adorable.
Then, we went shopping, pearl shopping. I've done my part to keep the economy humming along, and we have hotel and boat repairs in Tahiti so I'll be spending a bit of money there too. Can't wait to actually spend a week in the hotel though. I'm really looking forward to a real bed, real bathroom.......
We start heading for Tahiti tomorrow - we have an appointment to have the boat pulled on the 18th early morning.
Pauline