Kelcey Chandler-Yates and Jim Yates present...

UnderSeaPhotoVideo.com

Opunohu Bay-Moorea-June 14, 2003

Where has the time gone-we stopped in Tahiti only long enough to provision and pick up our niece Lauren on the 28th of May. She is my oldest brother Ed's oldest daughter. Attending William and Mary and having a high GPA she is the benefactor of a $2000 grant to travel and explore a destination of her choosing. Crazy Aunt Kelcey sounded like a good experience so we are privy to her company for almost a month and I will be teaching her some of the intricacies of underwater photography while she is here. Although having only 6 dives under her belt she is a natural and luckily is fascinated by sharks.  Her father would not approve but since we were not informed prior to her arrival that there were so many great shark dives around this island I plead innocent-being a psychologist he will have some item of wisdom to toss out about that one but as long as she does not come back with tooth marks I'm sure he will forgive!! She almost lost her finger when the dog of a turtle mistook her white hand for a filet of fish the locals routinely feed him!

Anyhow, our friends Sylvia and Leone were kind enough to pick us up at the boat ramp at Maeva Beach, drop all the bags that friends had left with them off and take us to the airport. Once back on the boat and settled we sailed -or should we say motored to Moorea.

 Opunohu Bay was our first destination. There is a beautiful place to anchor just south of the opening of the bay in shallow water, which is crystal clear. We were glad to be in such good holding as another maramu came with a vengeance and stayed for 2 days after which we were able to go diving. Here the French have set up moorings where they tie their dive boats and feed the sharks. I personally do not condone the feeding of sharks, rays or any other wildlife but I must say it sure makes photographing and observing them a breeze!

Over 6 times we dove the same sight and every time we saw up close and personal over 20 sharks which circled us shortly after our entrance into their domain. We were also graced with a friendly turtle over 3 feet in length who seemed to enjoy our company so much as to become a slight pest-of course if I would have had my camera on that dive I probably would have thought differently!! Several more attempts at seeing him were made to no avail. -He would not have lasted long over in the Tuamotu where the mention of a turtle gives the locals saliva glands a workout! Chris's arrival from Hawaii.

 As you may remember Chris, our oldest son of sixteen years decided to crew on a boat destined for Hawaii. His girlfriend, Carly happened to live on this boat! They were having problems with the autopilot, which were never resolved, and were concerned about not enough hands on board to steer the boat should they experience contrary weather. Chris, loving to sail, was up for the trip-I just had to let go! -I would not have consented however Terry and Heidi, Carly's parents, are experienced sailors and barring disaster I knew Chris was in good hands. We were only concerned about Terry's ulcer as Carly is definitely his "little girl". They all did fine and although a tropical depression was within 700 miles at one point they steered clear and made the trip in 19 days. Once there Carly and Chris joined up with a friend who lives there to surf to their hearts content for 6 short days. Luckily he kept his promise to finish his schoolwork during the passage so he does not have too much time to catch up on. The benefits of home school shine once more! -Now that he has arrived home we have the joyous bickering of siblings to contend with in addition to his huge appetite! -As we adapted to his leaving we will be sure to adapt to his return, besides the stainless needs to be polished so there is plenty of work to be doled out as punishments when the two of them argue!!

Pointe Tehau-Moorea We scored this time with a beautiful anchorage at the far northwestern point of Moorea. Club Med used to operate here but the family that owns the land could not agree on the cost for a renewed lease so the resort sits virtually empty at this far tip of the island. This being to our obvious advantage since there is a scant bit of activity and no obvious neighbors. With a full moon shining I enjoy midnight strolls on deck gazing into the crystal clear waters at the life, which abounds around the boat.

Near by we enjoy snorkeling with the hundred or so stingrays which sandwich us between them looking for a handout. Their skin is smooth a babies bottom on their underside and as rough as 20 grit sand paper on their topside. Even when not being fed they "fly" towards us underwater. It will be hard to leave these beings as they have such a gentle inquisitive spirit. Nicholas is totally intrigued with them and even kisses them when they are "sandwiching" him when he stands in the shallows, which they congregate.