Oyster organized a welcome party and dinner for which the locals had been practicing and organizing for months. It was really special and obvious how much they cared about sharing their culture.
We have taken a number of dives on Fakarava which they call pass dives. You time the dive when the current is incoming and you drift with a boat following and the current shoots you like a rocket over the coral. Hundreds of sharks and other fish swim calmly as you drift by. Its not your normal easy dive as we went straight down to 95 feet where you hold onto the bottom for 20 minutes before you let go and the current shoots you into the atoll.
We were fortunate enough to find a church for both good Friday and Easter Sunday services. The church was gorgeous with hard wood carvings and shell chandeliers. While I could not understand a lot of the service their faith and enthusiasm for Easter was compelling.
Easter dinner on board
We had a wonderful day of Easter mass in the morning. We found a lovely little beach hotel for lunch and then celebrated Easter dinner back on board where Issy surprised us with a wonderful apple crumble.
Oyster get-together
We hosted a get-together on board for 3 other Oysters. There is a fair amount of socializing and it is great to talk to the other owners, they are a pretty special group of people that are undertaking this adventure. Our stories are all different but our dreams strangely similar.
What’s next?
We are departing this afternoon for an overnight sail to Rangiroa where we will spend a week before again transiting overnight to Tahiti. Mike will fly out of Rangiroa to meet Cecelia in Tahiti for a week on shore in Moorea. Cullen and I will sail into Tahiti and meet Vanessa on the 28th of April. Cullen is looking forward to seeing his mom and I am looking forward to seeing my girlfriend. We will send you an update before we leave Rangiroa.
Random Thoughts
My assistant Suzanne sent me a text saying I don’t think you can go on a trip like this and come back the same. I will be interested to see what things in your life you hold onto and what things you decide to let go. I think about that a lot when I’m by myself on night watches. So far I have decided I am going to hold onto family and friends more and worry about stuff less but I will keep you posted.
Thank you for sharing. Looks incredible. Miss you Johnnie
This just all looks so amazing! Keep the updates coming!!
I am loving every word and picture of your blog and your adventure! It looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
Wow, John. What a fantastic voyage y’all are on.
Happy Belated Birthday. What a way to spend it.
Thanks Tommy
Great to see Johnnie Mac! Looks like Cullen, R. Michael and the crew are taking great care of you! 🙏💪. Truly an amazing adventure. Stay safe and enjoy!!!
What a great adventure it looks like Cullen is having the adventure of a lifetime. That drift dive had to be fabulous. I did one of those on the Great Barrier Reef years ago. Couldn’t believe how strong the current was. You just fly along as things go by.
Thanks for taking us along on the journey Pegleg. So happy you are able to fulfill this life long dream and so special to be with Cullen and Mike. It also seems Harry and Issy fit right in with the crazy crew. Keep the photos and blogs coming. Love and best wishes from Chicago!!
Unbelievable scenery. You found a Catholic Church on an island? Only you, Jerry and Joe could have pulled that off. Enjoy!!
I assume you are coming home covered with Fakarava tatoo’s. Looks like a wonderful trip and great experience!!
The beat goes on, what a trip. The natives remind me of our trip to Papa New Guinea, I did a couple of drift dives there, keep the sharing coming! Fondly, Tom and Collin
Definitely a pass dive. Any time I see more than 1 shark that is not a nurse shark, I will take a pass.
95 feet for Cullen- WoW! Great job!
I just love reading this blog!