Phare Amedee

We weren't expecting the weather to be quite so good today, and it was cloudy as the bus to the wharf collected us from school at 8am. But the further out to sea we got, the finer it became. The saying goes around here, "it's always fine at the Phare"!

 The trip over to the island took an hour and we chose our spot under umbrellas etc and the kids lined up for the trip in the glass-bottomed boat. There was great excitement watching the array of marine life below us - especially the pilot fish suckering onto the bottom of the glass. We saw a turtle as well, which was really cool. Toward the end of our 1/2 hour cruise over the reef, the kids were allowed to jump off the boat and snorkel and swim with the fish. Some were a bit too nervous about getting close up and personal with such big fish and opted to stay aboard but others fell over themselves to leap off!! Ollie was a hoot as he couldn't decide whether to jump overboard or not, saying he really did want to as he knew it would be a good experience, but he just wasn't sure. Carrie said to hurry up because they'd have to all come out soon, so in he went and just as he had everything fitted, adjusted and ready for action, the kids were told to get out!  He was totally absorbed after 10 seconds and the guy had to grab his arm as he was last to get out and he was still filming away as he was virtually lifted out of the water! He came into the boat dripping and blustering "what an experience"! He'd forgotten his towel in his excitement to board, so the Japanese man next to him, who'd been well entertained, let him borrow his!

Some chose to then go in the big ferry to the outer reef with Baz where they saw and fed sharks, other large fish and even turtles. The others really had the snorkelling bug, so were dead keen to continue snorkelling ashore.  They loved the water and spent more time in than out during the day. Of course the snakes were definitely an attraction with the girls shrieking when they first sighted them, but all were quite used to them by the end of the day.

We had a lovely tropical feast followed by a cultural concert at lunchtime. The speed that the hips of these dancers can move is amazing!

 After lunch the kids and Carrie climbed 251 steps to the top of the lighthouse and saw the amazing view - someone had to take pictures of them from the bottom so that was my job!

The day drew to a close all too soon and we headed home at 3.30pm. As we came into Port Moselle, we saw the Maori waka that sailed to New Caledonia along with waka from other Pacific Islands. We spoke to the Maori guys sailing them and the kids enjoyed that. They have sailed here for a cultural celebration of Pacific Island nations to be held here soon.

We are giving the sun a rest in the morning and spending time at school. They are all so excited at the prospect of being together with us in the hotel tomorrow night. We don't like the sound of the 8deg temp you had today in good old Taupo!
Au revoir!
The TIS team