[password]Tusi2284
[position]17 34.724S 149 37.161W
[speed]0 knots
[heading]000T
[weather]no wind, seas calm, cloud cover 80%, barometer 1016 steady
[status]Tahanea in the Tuamotus is definitely my pick of places we have visited in French Polynesia. Shortly after my last post on YIT we snorkeled the western pass again. This time we were surrounded by manta rays feeding on small shrimp-like creatures. The mantas showed no concern about us often coming close enough to brush us with their wings. We stayed with them for about an hour and in the crystal clear water this was a magic experience. We tried to return to the pass again the next day but the wind had increased and the pass was too rough. The big sharks I mentioned in my previous post that we couldn't identify appear to be Silvertips. They have two white patches one on their dorsal fin and one on the top of their tail fin. We eventually left Tahanea on Wednesday last week, a couple of days earlier than we originally intended, so that we could get to Papeete before the head winds associated with the next front arrived. Helen flew home last Tuesday and returns this coming Sunday. I'm here on board in the anchorage just north of Marina Taina and filling in my time with repairs, maintenance and one walk so far into Papeete.

[END]