Back to Hirifa in SE Fakarava

Rob on Tiger Beetle had told us about 2 other adventures back in Hirifa, so when the wind shifted back to the SE we headed back down the atoll. Just to show you how far off the Simrad charts are, the orange is the radar showing the actual location of the motu and the yellow is where the program says the land is!

The first exploration was of an area that had cut deep into the reef.

There was an easy walk to the outer reef. The motu you see in the distance will be our second exploration.

As we walked over the rocks, we got to outer reef, where we found an amazing rock formation sticking up out of the surf, which reminded us of La Paz! But this does not look like Balandra Bay in the Baja!! Those are big ocean waves breaking on an atoll in the South Pacific. Deja Vu maybe?

There are some small herons here looking for fish, that seems like the Baja.

Those black birds are Noddy Terns and the white one is an egret. But check out the sea past the reef out there! Lumpy!

As I had Mike stand out there for a photo, the water washed in from a swell. Notice how red the coral is.

There is some debris caught around the base of the rock, but we were grinning from ear to ear thinking how clever we were to be connected to home this far away.

Low growing plants cling to the coral and rocks, shooting out roots in hope of finding some not too salty water.

We found several fossilized corals in the rocks, who knows how old!

In every little low laying spot or hole in the rock, small pieces of white coral accumulated on the ancient black fossilized rocks.

And then there were areas that were just giant piles of small pieces of coral, bleached white from the sun. Not too easy to walk on!

But fascinating to look at up close!

The Egret flies away.

On the way back to the boat we cruised past a small pension (hotel). They use the washed up pearl buoy floats, not only to hold down the roof, but to decorate everything!

That is when I saw the washed up whale bones sitting on the bar!

They also have this great party barge trimarian with a big barbecue and tables, but we never saw anybody using it.

This little sandpiper fellow was staring me down from the bow pulpit back aboard Avatar.

The next adventure was to check out a lone motu in the distance.  On the way we spotted a huge flock of birds fishing.

I had been wanting to expolre this little island since the first time I saw it last year.  Looks very inviting!

As we approach closer we can see a lovely beach on the side facing the lagoon.

The beach has many different layers, as the wind and sea has piled them up over different times.

The fine sand is a deep pink, being crushed coral reef.

Two Noddy Terns watch us closely from their tree branch.

The motu has lots of coconut trees and a small shack at the back.

Among the debris we saw, was this huge hawser line neatly piled in a coil.  Wonder what they used it for?  Or did it just wash up, like the others we have seen.

Someone has built an obvious path leading to the shack.

Miguel stretches to touch the rafters where the gutter hangs to collect the water and run it into a huge tanaka tank.  This is most likely their only source of water.

There were modern tables and home made wooden benches through out the place.  Wonder when someone last lived here, or if they just come to collect copra?

This was a strange sight!  The toilet is next to a gas powered wood chipper and both are next to the cooking fire.  Hmmm?!?

Hidden in the dense growth of the brush are many fairy terns resting in the trees.

This guy flew quite close to us as he made his way into the brush.

This couple did not seemed bothered by our presence, as they went about pruning their feathers in the tree branch.

A vine plant has grown totally over the trees, not only hiding the shack from view, but protecting it from the ocean side.

A little red crab is sitting on the rocks.

On the ocean side of the motu were solid and jumbled coral rocks.

These jumbled coral pieces were about the size of a fist, which made it a bit challenging for walking around.  Watch your step!

It still amazes me how trees can grow in this coral rubble pile!

Mike stands on the rubble pile with Hirifa in the background.

The Fairy Terns were showing off at they flew over us and the trees in the wind.

Someone placed a couple pieces of wood to make a bench to sit on under this tree.  Nice view to enjoy from there!

The Fairy Terns are so white against the blue blue sky, and so acrobatic!!

Here is a close up of that fine pink sand mixed with chunks of white coral.

So many palm trees and no way to get the coconuts down!!

Back aboard Avatar we were treated to another spectacular sunset after our big adventure!  Sweet dreams Mr. Sun, see you tomorrow!