Paradise
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Thu 6 May 2010 04:39
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Thursday 6th May
The anchorage at the village in Tikehau
became so rough that you only stepped into the dinghy if it was absolutely
necessary. We were booked in for dinner at a Pension so it was essential that we
went ashore but had we not have booked anywhere we would not have stepped
foot off the boat. Earlier in the day when we first experienced how rough it was
we were thrown all over the place, we had waves breaking over us and continuous
splashes from the sides and front. So we had to take drastic action when we went
out for dinner - I went out with my underwear on and covered up with
pauls hooded anorak, Amy wore underwear with a sarong and Chrissy and Bev wore
bikinis and we all got changed on the beach behind a tree, what an
experience!
The meal was lovely, we had a raw fish salad
to start followed by Mahi Mahi in a garlicy sauce with broccoli, cabbage and
sticky rice with a crepe to finish it all off. In between serving us we had a
very comical gentlemen playing his guitar and singing to us through the meal
which was very nice.
 They even provided transport back to the
dock for us otherwise it would be a walk along the beach so we welcomed that.
However, when arriving back at the dock it was a hive of activity as they were
still unloading the supply ship that had arrived earlier in the day, so as we
hadn't walked along the beach everyone had to get changed in floodlights with
lots of observers! It was so rough we'd even taken our lifejackets for the
return journey. Amy kept her pretty dress on, donned her lifejacket
and then proceeded to walk us out as we were in the shallows, this then resulted
in a lot of screaming as she was walking over sea cucumbers - quite a
picture!
We upped anchor first thing in the morning
and headed for another anchorage in the atoll, one that would be more sheltered.
We probably only travelled a mile to get there but when we arrived it was as if
we were in another atoll, the scenery was absolutely stunning! The waters here
are meant to be the bluest you'll find in the whole of French Polynesia and I'd
believe it, it's just beautiful - and a lot calmer!
    We set off exploring in the afternoon and
tied up to a little building out in the water on stilts so that we could
snorkel. It was very shallow but there was lots going on, including lots and
lots of black tip reef sharks. Now I know they aren't going to harm us but there
it is quite scary when you are in just a few of feet of water with sharks
swimming all around you, it's quite un-nerving!
      We are anchored next to the luxury Pearl
Beach Resort so after snorkelling we headed to the hotel to explore further and
of course this resulted in having a sundowner. We'd tried to book in for
dinner tonight but they couldn't accomodate 7 of us. The hotel probably
wasn't anywhere near half full but they must only have a certain amount of food
and obviously they can't feed people who just turn up.
  It was a late night on board Jackamy so
today has been spent relaxing and there hasn't much activity
throughout the rest of the anchorage!
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