Carol's Perfect Snorkeling Spot

SPCZ sqalls passing to our north

"Friendly"  black tipped sharks swimming around our boat.

Carol's Perfect Snorkeling Spot

We are still in Suwarrow. The weather has been gusty and squally all week but particularly Thurs and Fri over a broad area. So we decided to stay here until Sat am.

There is a wide coral reef all along the shore of the island. We took snorkelling gear in to the beach and went exploring from there. Lots of different kinds of fish everywhere. Where the reef ends and drops off into deeper water, it is especially beautiful. Of course the fish are larger also. Because the water is so shallow it is very warm, and no currents. You can also find places to stand up and be out of the water. You can see why I enjoyed it! We hoped to get back today with a camera, if it ever stops raining. We need to get in to check out, also. Out by the boat there are always black tipped sharks swimming by. They are supposed to be more curious than dangerous but haven't checked that out.

I have had a cooking morning doing bread, granola and cookies .We are out of fresh provisions except for Marquesan grapefruits that we got from Joyful. It should be another 4 or 5 days before stopping. We could go a week to Tonga, or stop at Samoa to the west or Nuie to the south to break up the trip. The weather looks better right now for going south to Nuie. I think we are sitting in the band of disturbed weather called the South Pacific Convergent Zone, SPCZ, that currently is running from the Solomons to the  Samoas, and northern Cooks.

The new dinghy has been working out well. It is smaller and lighter so is easier to get on deck for traveling and up the side for overnights at anchor.

We have had a chance to talk to all our kids this week by sat phone. It was fun to catch up. Dan may join us on the boat in Aug in Vanuatu. We watched a dvd last night that Luc made on those islands. Every area has more to offer than we would ever have time for.