Reef Island (Rangiroa)

Booked a trip with 6 100% french speaking people to see the reef island. A natural phenomenon 30 km across the lagoon of Rangiroa. A seriously good wheel man on this speedboat. The fetch of the lagoon creates a fairly large swell towards the middle, but he navigated superbly. I always have respect for people who can thread the needle on fast speedboats in waves without breaking the backs of the passengers.

Pretty lonely. My feeble attempts at French where not received warmly, it only served to speed up their idle chit chat. Tourists in Rangiroa are fickle. Whatever - everyone has their own thing going on and most of the time it is staring mooney eyed at their new partner in the eyes of God and slapping each other in the ass while polishing their $400 sunglasses.

Don't know what I was expecting, but it was interesting. Strange tidal pools with 6' lava formed clumps in between. Not sure how else to explain it. Waded around and snorkeled in amongst the shallow water. Walked through the ocean to a Motu (small island) where the guide's compatriot was waiting for us with a prepared picnic (poisson cru, bbq'd fish, bbq'd chicken, coconut bread, fried rice - chinese style, awesome meddly of freshly squeezed juices, wine and a coconut pie for desert). Yummy.

30 clicks back across the lagoon for a bit of snorkeling in the crotch of the pass. Shocked at how frustrated I was. Here I am in a world class diving centre, after having sailed through several other world class diving centres, watching in stark non amazement as a bunch of 4 inch fish froth over bread that has been thrown in the water with six people that I can't communicate at all with, squealing in delight All this while the BBC is anchored 200 yards away filming a documentary on the mating habits of sharks. I stopped by a dive centre (this was their kit). Someone mentioned that there were 3 film crews on Ragiroa at around this time because it was so "special". ARGGGGGGGH.

Breath... Don't walk in like you own the place and don't squash a story retold with wild eyed amazement.

Good day out. I'll stop being a baby, its just so damn hard.