Next we stopped at our own private island (motu) which was where we stayed for the day. On the boat we had sat behind friends we had already made on this trip (Faye and Norm from Marcoola, Queensland) and we spend the day with them which was really nice. Norm is a really funny guy and Faye is really down to earth and we get along with them very well. The first thing we did after claiming a table on the island, was to get in the water and watch our tour guide ‘bring’ the stingrays up to where we were all in the water. He then asked us if we wanted to come next to him to pat the stingrays. Faye and I jumped at the chance and so we knelt down beside the tour guide while he fed the stingray (Maggie) some fish and as she was eating it, he pulled her a bit out of the water and Faye and I were able to pat her for quite a while. It was the most amazing experience! Stingrays are very slimy and smooth and it was so much fun to pat Maggie. Mike and Norm also got a chance to do the same later on.
After that we swam for a while and just chatted with Norm and Faye. They live near Brisbane and have asked us to come and stay with them for a weekend once we get settled in Hervey Bay.
Next it was time for our barbecue lunch which consisted of: barbecued chicken, fish and sausages, rice salad, macaroni salad, green salad and rolls. Then there was fresh pineapple for dessert. The food was very tasty and we all filled up well on it. Mike and I stayed away from the sausages as our friends, Nikki and Ron, who had also done this tour previously with friends, had told us that one of their friends had gotten really sick from eating the sausages.
While we ate and afterwards as well, we were entertained by three local musicians. They sang native songs and played the ukelele. It was lovely to have them playing and singing in the background as we ate and chatted with Faye and Norm.
After eating, there was more time for swimming. I love being in the ocean and just relaxing in the water and enjoying the sun. This time, I remembered to put on the sunscreen!. We were also treated to a ‘coconut show’ which was put on by our tour guide. He showed us how to take off the outer coating of a coconut and then how to open the coconut with a stick. He then talked about the coconut water which is inside the coconut and then used a stick made of bone which he used to scrape out all of the white part of the coconut. He then put this coconut meat into a piece of cloth and squeezed it into the coconut shell. He told us that if you drink a lot of coconut milk, it acts like a laxative. It was a really interesting demonstration.
Unfortunately, the time went by too fast and it was soon time to head back to the ship. This tour was so wonderful and we were so pleased with getting all that we had been promised on this tour after yesterday’s disappointing tour.
When we got back from the tour, we did a little sticky beaking at the little market that was at the dock and were able to find a couple of cute t-shirts for the boys at a moderate price.
After dropping our stuff off at the cabin, we went downstairs and checked out the pastry bar that we had been told to stay away from. :-) We got a couple of cakes and cookies to share and they were most delicious. We just relaxed in our room until it was time again for dinner. Tonight’s fare was beef short ribs and as usual it was delicious!
Tonight’s show was a master classical guitarist, George Sakellariou. He played mostly songs from other centuries (mostly the 19th). Sue was bored out of her mind, but Mike really enjoyed it and so Sue stayed and watched the whole show. Mike enjoyed watching him play the guitar because he (George) was very good at playing this type of guitar. He played mostly songs which you typically hear being played on classical guitars. It also reminded Mike of when he used to be in a band because some of the song were ones he had played.
On the way to the motu islet in Moorea, French Polynesia.
On the way to the motu islet.
On the way to the motu islet.
On the way to the motu islet.
Homes on the hillside on the way to the motu islet.
Resort on the hillside on the way to the motu islet.
Resort on the way to the motu islet.
Hut in the resort on the way to the motu islet.
On the way to the motu islet.
Beautiful water by the shore of where we landed at the motu islet.
Stingray in the water by the motu islet.
Sue and Faye patting the stingray with the guide by the motu islet.
Mike and Norm patting the stingray with the guide by the motu islet.
The gorgeous water we swam in beside the motu islet.
Island singers who serenaded us as we ate on the motu islet.
Hut where we drinks were available.
Buffet table where food was laid out.
Guide opening coconut after husking it and cracking it.
Guide showing the open coconut.
Guide scraping out the coconut 'meat' (the inside of the coconut).
Boat that we travelled on to get to the motu islet.
Scenery on the way back to shore.
Scenery on the way back to shore.
George Sakellariou - Master Classical Guitarist.
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