Rua Vahine, Apataki
Jarek
Mon 8 Sep 2003 02:47
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003
When we told Assam that we wanted to leave, he insisted that we should have
a farewell dinner together. Thus, our departure was delayed by a day, to
nobody's regret. Przemek joined Assam and Nini for a line fishing trip and
substantially contributed to the catch. The dinner was quite a feast of
baked fish (quite fresh, as one may guess) and chicken. We brought quart of
Pennsylvania honey (Dutch Gold) and it appeared to be Nini's favorite remedy
for sore throat. The conversation at the dinner table was a bit more lively
as our hosts got accustomed to my broken French (and, perhaps, my French is
improving?). On Friday morning we bought some fresh eggs, frozen free
roaming chicken (the dinner night before has helped quite a bit with that
decision) and some pearls. After just few days here, we felt like we were
leaving long time friends.
Motu Rua Vahine was just seven miles away. It is a very pretty islet of size
of a football field. There is a small, two level cottage, almost finished,
at the west beach but no sign that anybody visits it often. A French boat
was anchored here as we arrived but left next day. The islet was mercilessly
littered, however, by some fellow cruisers (nearly nobody else is stopping
here). Diet coke bottles, fat free yogurt cups, designer sandals, Heineken
bear cans - that trash was left by people of some sophistication. A
byproduct of GPS making navigation easy, I guess. As we were burning our
plastics (Ah! Ozone hole!), we cleaned the islet a bit, too. We swim, walk
and explore the reef. Andrzej works very hard on his half-finished boat.
Unfortunately, my breathing is not too good, so I am on a full scale asthma
management program. It is regrettable, but still better than in a hospital.
I miss the nurses, though.
Next Wednesday we are leaving for Papeete to pick up our friends. We are
looking forward to a wonderful time together.