Turquoise White Blue

The colors of these islands.

I've been delighted all day as we motosailed through light winds and gentle swell.

The worn wooden tiller feels as comfortable as the breeze and the easy conversation. I'm learning French and teaching English; mostly nautical terms.

We stopped on a sandbar briefly where I swam into my childhood aquarium: sebae clowns, damsels, and wrasse danced amongst carpet anemones, gonipora and open brain corals. Dozens of species I know and love, the first time I've recognized them in the wild. As I walked up onto the blindingly white sand I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the beauty in which I found myself.

We cruised onward, enjoying a delicious light lunch of eggplant dip and bread. We took turns napping. We tried to squeeze a little more go out of the very light wind. We found a baitball with bonito and/or tuna leaping out of the water but trolling our line through it did nothing but chase off the birds.

We dropped anchor near 3PM and I jumped in to see if I could spear some dinner. It has been fished heavily, here. Until my left thumb found some urchin spines I was having a great time. Heck, still after too ... But with enough discomfort that I kicked back to Mabaï to hunt down some tweezers.

What a wonderful way to spend a day. I'm salty and sunkissed and hungry for more. Like an excellent appetizer, the day whet my appetite for more of this floating lifestyle.Leia mais