ISLANDS II

NUKA HIVA/UA POA REDO

Today we returned to 2 of our previous island stops to load freight and fresh fruits for our voyage back. It is always so interesting to see the small families line up in their trucks and load their supplies. We are also the mail to some of the smaller island who have to Airport. But in today's world..the internet has been a blessing to the remoteness. One of the ship's guides said 95% of island kids have a FB account! But what we see are kids without alot of helicopter parents...playing and having fun. As soon as the Aranui begins to moor, the Capt blows a big horn and the kids just descend on the dock and wait for the lines to be tied. Then they are allowed to play on those lines , swimming and jumping.  For hours while we are in port. This would NEVER EVER happen in America because of probably liabilities.... but here is a different world. The older kids keep an eye on the younger ones. The families are large, and the kids are basically turned loose. Of course they are little fishes in the water.... we even saw kids as young as 3 in the deep water. There was a big sting ray feeding on small fish right next to where we tied up, and while it was interesting to watch......the kids knew to stay back and didnt enter the water until it was gone.

Steve and I signed up for an outrigger canoe lesson in the bay. It wasn't too hard and a fun thing to do. Then, we swam in the 84 degree water temp. Tough duty!

After another "French style" dinner, we moseyed into one of the ships bars, where "some" of the crew where playing their guitars, ukes and the Marquesan uke, which has a distinct sound. This has got to be one of my favorite things: servers, cabin cleaners, engine room, deck hands, dining room hostess, guides, officers....anyone who can play and instrument and has an hour of free time, just jams! And oh what a sound! Even the ships Dr. who was learning to play a uke......is there sometimes. Music knows no bounds!