We woke to wonderful harmonies from the church wafting over the lagoon as we ate breakfast. Rather sadly we left Huahiné after breakfast, wishing to stay longer to explore. But we are en route to Bora Bora and a couple of scuba dive appointments for Julian and Emily.
So we set off towards the island of Raiatea and its northern partner Taha'a. I chose to enter the lagoon system in Taha'a, rather than visiting Raiatea and the rather built-up looking town of Uturoa, although reputed to have a great market and some famous bars.
The Tohotaea pass was easily entered between two small wooded islands and we quickly came to anchor in the lee of Motu Mahaea, in pale blue water, rippling with electric green in the sunlight.
Emily and Julian prepared a lovely lunch during which we became aware of a riotous and hilarious party going on near the island. A floating thatched hut on a traditional looking Polynesian barge was the centre of fun, and through binoculars we could see that it was surrounded by groups of people up to their waists in the clear water, the women wearing floral crowns and the men sporting hats woven from green palm leaves. The party went on till sunset, and we were astonished at the constant infectious laughter emanating in great roars and shrieks from the party goers who were all happily drinking away.
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| The party boat at Motu Mahaea, Taha'a |
Later I rowed over and chatted to a man with a water taxi, who told me that renting a floating hut for a party was very reasonable, and that you could get one all day for just $750, asserting that his son often hired one to entertain friends! I don't know of that included food and drink though.
We spent a lazy afternoon snorkelling in the clear cold water coming in through the pass, with hot water ebbing out, where the coral looked very healthy and vast numbers of fish filled the sea like flocks of birds in a blue sky.
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| Emily paddled Julien across to Motu Mahaea to watch the sunset. |
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