AdventuresAboardAvatar: Bye Bye Gambiers

March 13, 2018

It was time to finish up our chores and start saying our goodbyes before heading out to sea, back to Tahiti. I took a look at the depth sounder as we were heading out the pass of Rikitea. It came up to 17 feet at the lowest.

Rikitea village and her huge church!

Rikitea located on the North side of Mount Duff on Mangareva island.

The cliff side of Mount Duff towers above the Meteo weather station on the bluff.

We had to dingy to our friend's house on Taravai through the shallow turquoise water.

Following the shoreline there is a deeper (5 to 6 foot) trough of water to get around the island.

They live by another one of those ancient churches.

Valerie and Herve's house(s) Living room kitchen on the left and bedroom on the right. While their yellow skiff waits to zoom them to town when needed.

We had become such good friends with them and their 7 year old son Ariki (means king). She gave me a black lipped oyster shell and we shared some of their watermellon.

They called us on the VHF radio saying not to leave until they could come for one last visit. Valerie had made us flower lei's to show their love before we sail away.

Mike got one too!!

We sailed over one last time, to our favorite outer motu, Kouaku to say bye to our Austrian cruiser friends.

They had the beach fire ready as the sun was getting ready to set.

Selfie with Christian and Birgit, of Pitufa, and ourselves.

The sunset was quite spectacular that evening as the rays of light glow from behind the cloud.

The sea is turning orange like the sky.

The clouds took the shape of an angel flying, glowing from the sunset.

The next morning we were headed out the West Pass between Mangareva and Travai.

Mangareva behind us with Mount Mokoto in the foreground and Mount Duff behind.

We are beginning to see the sand trails we will follow to get over the barrier reef.

Our beautiful lei's were wilting.

So we made a wish and threw them overboard.

Mike is ready to throw his too.

The flowers disappear quickly in the sea. I think we both wished for the same thing, that some day we would be able to come back again.

Mike with Taravai behind as we head out the pass.

The white sand path out over the reef is clearly visible now.

We follow it all the way out into the ocean.

Feeling a little melancholy, as this was a glorious and delightful stay we had in the Gambiers. The kindness of the people, the beauty of the lagoon, the sandy motus and spectacular sunsets will be missed dearly.