In January of 2018 there were two full moons, January first and 31st. The second full moon in a single month is called a Blue Moon. But this month the blue moon was also a full lunar eclipse, which creates a Blood Moon. So for the first time in a Century, we were going to have the very rare Blue Blood Moon. The weather looked like it would cooperate, but we needed to be in an anchorage that has a good view of the Western sky. So we sailed over to the island of Teravai on the SW side of the Gambiers.
As we left Mangareva we passed again her magnificent peaks. Mount Duff.
And Mount Mokoto which we climbed when we first arrived.
It was a lovely afternoon sail with a light breeze.
We wanted to be on the far side so we would have a clear view of the SW sky, so we continued around the small isle of Agakauitai, until we reached an anchorage with a view through the slot of Mangareva in the distance. (looking NE)
Agakauitai had an impressive rock outcrop as well and a lovely white sand beach.
We went ashore to explore and found a home with no one there. So we continued past through the forest of big trees.
The ground is littered with broken branches, coconuts, baby palms and debris.
These big trees were quite ominous with the sunlight sprinkling through the leaves.
A view of Teravai from the beach on Agakauitai. Again reminds us of a mountain lake view, but warmer!
The grassy area of the home under the big rock outcrop.
We walked along the beach to check out the shallow cove on the East side of Agakauitai and got a view of Aukena in the distance.
There is a reef underwater connecting the isles of Teravai and Agakauitai which creates a lovely calm anchorage. Here I am with some amazing clouds too. Only one other boat in the anchorage.
A beautiful, lovely smelling, yellow flower all over this island.
Orange Hibiscus flower.
The full moon is rising perfectly through the slot!
At the same time a gorgeous sunset is happening behind us.
The full moon with the other boat in the anchorage and Mangareva's peaks in the distance.
It is NOT easy to photograph a lunar eclipse from the deck of a rocking boat, but the anchorage was calm enough. Here the eclipse is about half way covering the moon.
The Blood red is beginning to show as the earth's shadow covers more of the moon.
A total eclipse of the moon, blood red!!
The red moves to the top of the moon as sunrise is approaching.
Yes we stayed up all night, not the first time, but first time in a long time! Next Blue Blood Moon won't be for another 75 years, so we had to, right?! Probably won't be here to see that one.
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