Little Lolly's Small Adventures: sea turtle

Showing posts with label sea turtle. Show all posts

Diving and island life.

Moorea Fun Dive dive sites

We did 2 dives on Saturday, back to back, with Moorea Fun Dive (http://www.moorea-fundive.com/en/). The first being at 'Les Roses De Corail', second dive at 'Couloir des Raies' was in search of spotted rays but we didn't find them - they hang out in a particular channel because of the current but there was very little current on Saturday late morning.

Afterwards we drove along the coast and visited a market with arts and crafts but not much was happening. It was lunch time so it wasn't busy and there were only a few stalls - v. We also drove part way to Belvedere Lookout but from the other direction so we had a different view of the scenery.

After that we continued around the island and stopped at an ice cream shop. Yummy... Then onward to the house, stopping to get groceries on the way.

On Sunday we went to the beach and did a bit of snorkelling out near the edge of the reef; and then relaxed. Paul read and I slept with the fan on full blast.

We have been disturbed by a rooster crowing during the wee hours of the morning - usually around 4am. It is not a time for us humans to wake up even if he thinks the world needs to arise at the hour that he 'dictates'. This morning I got up and went to the bedroom sliding door - and there he was, standing with his beak open and chest puffed up, ready to let rip full throttle again. I told him, not very politely, to f@#! off. Well, he did but started crowing either from next door or around the other side of the house 😠

Monday and today we did 4 more scuba, 2 dives back to back on both days, and they were very nice. For those interested in diving, the sites were 'Eden Park', 'Rotui', 'Canyon' and ''La Virgule'.

The dives today had an unexpected 'twist' to the story. There was a couple who were newly qualified divers (February this year) who had bought brand new diving gear but were clueless about it and they had also seemed to forgotten all they had learnt on their diving course. They seemed to have egos with no sense. The woman also had a fear of water/having her head under water. (eh??!!) Guests on either side of the boat were assigned a dive master who would join up with us in the water. We were assigned to go with the newly qualified couple and a dive master.

There were many teething problems with the couple and in the end another dive master (Christian) got us to join his experienced group. Just as well - the other couple didn't last long in the water and their dive was short. Our dive at with Christian was about 46 minutes long and to a maximum depth of 25m. My diving licence doesn't allow me to dive so deep but I was comfortable about it and as there were other very experienced divers, as well as the dive master and Paul.

After a good surface interval during which time we had tea/coffee/water/biscuits we went to the next dive spot, 'La Virgule'. The second dive went to about 20 metres for 57 minutes. Again we were 'invited' to join the other more experienced group - again the other couple weren't in the water for very long so we were glad we went with the other group.

Overall it was a nice day. We saw 2 turtles, plenty of black tipped sharks and much more. We weren't afraid of the sharks - they were curious, circling around us now and then but that was it. Christian, our dive master, had a following of fish friends which was really sweet. He didn't feed them at all, he was just surrounded by them, as if he was one of the shoal. One fish even swam under Christian's belly and stayed there for ages.

During the dives today there were two very curious black tipped sharks which followed us and funnily enough they swam to where we were on the second dive site - their markings were very striking and one had a chunk taken out of its fin so we knew the sharks from the earlier dive.

Pre-booked dive packages (6, 10, etc., dives) work out much cheaper but we took each day as it came, not wanting to commit. The owners of Moorea Fun Dive (Christian and Marie) took into consideration how many dives we had done with them, even though not a pre-booked package, and gave us a discount for our last dive. It was kind of them and very unexpected. Also each dive we did - they made sure it wasn't the same sites that we dived at.

On the topic of diving... I'm quite a short woman - about 4ft 8in high. Apart from the fact that diving

Dive finished, equipment rinsed off and people heading home

tanks are heavy, most of them are quite long for my short body length (shoulders to bum). Once the air tank is attached to the BCD (buoyancy control device) I invariably get helped to put the gear on because it is so heavy that I want to fall over backwards. If I'm not helped, I am careful about how I sit the tank on the seat while putting on the BCD. When it comes to trying to get onto the edge of the boat once again the weight on my back just about topples me over before I'm even ready. I have to take into consideration that the tank is longer than my bum line so I have to heave myself up higher so that the tank clears the edge of the boat then I can lower myself onto the edge with the base of the tank hanging over the outside; and cling on to the ledge with my legs for dear life until I had my mask on my face and regulator in my mouth. Generally Paul or one of the dive masters have had to help me onto the boat ledge properly so that I've not gone overboard before being ready. (I've had shorter, dumpy, tanks and they are easier for me to work with but on these dives I've not been given a dumpy tank). After our very first dive we did with Moorea Fun Dive, when we got to the shore, we jumped to waist-high water and our was gear lowered over the side of the boat for us to carry it back to the office/gear point and rinse it off with salt water. Unfortunately there were about 4 high-ish steps leading up from the beach to the office and I nearly fell over backwards going up the stairs. Marie saw my predicament and rushed to help. Since then one of the men in the diving group (either Paul or someone else) has been given my tank to carry (once detached from the BCD) and I've carried the BCD and octopus regulator. I consider myself to be quite tough but sometimes I have to admit defeat.

Our time on Moorea is sadly coming to an end. Tomorrow we fly back to Tahiti and will meet up with the Maasdam on Thursday.

VIDEOS

Paul goes overboard

Underwater

PHOTOGRAPHS

A bit of driving

Scuba diving

Can you see the fish? It is so well camouflaged!

Dive master, Christian

Heading up to the surface

Anchored, Ōpūnohu Bay, Mo'orea, French Polynesia.

The Maasdam arrived in Ōpūnohu Bay at around 7:30am and dropped her anchor. Tender services were soon in full swing, ferrying guests across to the island. The tender ride was quite long because of the coral reefs.

Paul had obtained prior permission to go ashore and had managed to book us on a 2 tank dive with Top Dive. The owner was waiting for us at the pier and give Paul a quizzical look - Paul was still 'working'(having a quick chat on the radio to the ship's bridge) but in civvies! We were soon heading across the bay in the small but well equipped boat. After a briefing about the dive and what to expect, we arrived at a point above Lemon Shark Valley and anchored. We were split up into two groups, 4 or 5 people to a dive guide/instructor, and headed into the water. The dive went well and we got to see white tipped and black tipped sharks, a variety of fish of all sorts of colours, and lovely corals. Sadly part of the reef had been damaged by a hurricane in previous years but the coral was starting to regenerate again. After about 45 to 50 minutes we surfaced but with a decompression stop at around 5 metres. Back on the boat we learnt that one woman returned to the surface earlier - she had got frightened at seeing the sharks even though we were warned that everything would be fine.

The air tanks had been filled with nitrox which enabled us to a shorter surface interval before we began our next dive. After about half an hour's break during which time tea and fruit were handed out, the boat was started up again and we headed to the next dive site, Coral Wall. Once again we separated into our two assigned groups. During this time we saw a nursery shark and a turtle, as well as an abundance of corals and fish. Others managed to see more turtles, hiding between coral ledges. There were valleys within the coral reef and the 'hills and 'valleys' all ended at a sharp, deep drop, to the ocean floor many more metres below. We first swam along the ledge for a bit and then moved more inward on the coral reef to swim over the 'hills' and valleys'. After about 45 minutes we headed to the surface, with a decompression stop on the way up. It had been a lovely dive and we felt exhilarated.

We were dropped off at the tender pier but instead of heading straight back to the ship, Paul and I had a wander around the small market. We looked but didn't buy!

Back on the ship we had a shower and Paul had to get back to work. I needed a hair cut so went to see the hairdresser. I ended up emerging with a colour as well - copper with a bit of red thrown in! The poor hairdresser had no customers booked and he was bored. Allowing him to colour my hair gave him something to do and the afternoon whizzed by! Fortunately Paul likes it.

The Maasdam has set sail now for Bora Bora, another tender port.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Honolulu, Oahu. Tour: Explore & Taste Oahu's North Shore

Our guide/driver, Paul, briefing us about today's activities

I was awake early this morning and tanked up on red bull to keep my eyes propped open. After breakfast and a quick kiss and goodbye to Paul, I was soon in the port terminal waiting for my assigned tour.

Like yesterday, the tour group was small with 11 guests. Our driver/guide (named Paul) soon had us on the road and heading across the island in a north westerly direction. Our first stop was at Byodo-In Temple within the Valley of the Temples. The temple is nestled at the base of the Koolau Mountain Range and is set in stunning surroundings. There is a crematorium and burial grounds within the Valley of the Temples, catering for anyone of any religion who wishes to be laid to rest in such a peaceful and beautiful setting. A family of cats met us at the bridge leading to the temple, one youngster coming over to me for a bit of a cuddle. In the temple's gardens there are a variety of birds including black swans; and in the ponds there are lots of koi fish. The temple itself is a half-sized replica of a 900-year-old Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. When I rang the Sacred Bell using a soft wooden log, the resonating sound went through me - I felt at peace.

Inside the temple is a huge wooden Lotus Buddha, covered in gold leaf and lacquer. Out of respect, we had to take off our footwear before entering the temple. There was something quite awesome about the Lotus Buddha. Most people who were visiting the temple looked at it in quiet thought/reflection. Others took photographs and moved around quietly so as not to disturb the peace.

Soon it was time to get back in the bus and we headed to the coastline, stopping to see 'Chinaman's Hat' which is an eroded sea stack. Continuing on, we stopped at Hukilau Beach which is one of the beaches where "50 First Dates" was filmed. We had time to take photographs and put our feet in the warm ocean water, feeling the sand beneath our feet and the gentle breeze in our hair. It was warm and just ... lovely.

Lunch - hot n spicy shrimps. Yum!

Our next stop was for lunch at Fumis Shrimp Shack. I had 'hot and spicy' shrimp, others had shrimp with coconut, or 'original' or sweet and sour. There was an alternative for guests who didn't like shrimps or are allergic to seafood. The shrimps were served with rice, a piece of pineapple and a bit of lettuce. It was yummy. We were also given something to drink and had a choice of 'shave ice' or ice lolly ("popsicle" as the Americans call it) afterwards. The mango ice lolly's were out of stock so I tried the rainbow shave ice. Basically it looked like finely ground up ice cubes with a dash of coloured flavouring poured over it. Mine had strawberry, pineapple and vanilla flavours. It was refreshing in the heat but not as 'spectacular' as I thought it would be. I was grateful to have it though! Sometimes shave ice is also made by shaving an ice block.

Sunset Beach

After lunch Paul took us to Sunset Beach, well known for its surfing competitions. The gradient towards the water was fairly steep in places and there were plenty of signs warning of strong currents. There are also coral formations under the water surface which can be dangerous for inexperienced surfers.

Our guide, Paul, was determined to let us see turtles. Fortunately this is the time of year to be able to see them, sometimes coming out of the water to rest or to lay eggs. On the way there was a bit of a crowd a small beach and Paul briefly stopped at the side of the road for us to see out of the bus windows - there was a turtle resting at the water's edge. Unfortunately we couldn't really stop long where we were at the side of the road. A few guests managed to get some photographs but I didn't.

Our next stop was at Ali'i Beach where there was a turtle swimming in the water. There were lots of people snorkelling around the turtle. We stood at the water's edge and watched as the turtle submerged and then now and then surfaced to take in some air. I felt sorry for the swimming turtle - the swimmers were almost crowding it out in their eagerness to see it. Green sea turtles and Hawksbill sea turtles are protected by law and people are warned not to touch them, harass them, pick them up, ride them, etc. There is a hefty $25,000 fine if caught. I decided not to take photographs - my finger on the camera trigger is not very fast. The memories of what I saw in those fleeting moments are more important to me. One of the guests was able to get a nice photograph of a surfacing turtle and I was happy for her.

Our final stop was at the Dole Plantation, a pineapple plantation. There they have the world's largest maze and one can also take a tour around the plantation. Unfortunately we only had a ½ hour stop so there was no time to take a tour. Most guests went to the shop and tried pineapple ice cream.

Our tour came to an end and Paul drove us back to the ship. I got a bit sunburnt when we visited the beaches but it didn't hurt - it was nice to get a bit of colour to the skin and feel the fresh warm air.

We have now set sail for Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa. It will be 5 days before we see land again.