Paradise Found

PARADISE FOUND

Position 15D.57.529 S 145D.04.664 W

Kaeuhi Atoll - Tuomotus

Tuesday, July 26 - we managed to just make the slack tide to enter the Kaeuhi Lagoon. That being said it was a pretty hairy ride through the pass with current pushing against us. The outflow made eddies and whirlpools on the surface of the water and it was like motoring through a washing machine. Ian did a good job and kept a level head to get us into the lagoon safely. The lagoon was massive and like another sea inside the protection of a fringing reef. Palm trees swayed in the breeze on top of white sandy motus (small islands in the sea). The water was colbalt blue and you could see the coral heads through the crystal clear water. We called our friends from Saba on the radio and they gave us waypoints to guide us into the area where they were anchored in the southeast corner of the lagoon. It was another mile or so of motoring away from where we had entered the lagoon pass. Daniel came out in his tender to meet us and guide us between the exposed coral heads. I was on the bow checking what was ahead and below us. We anchored next to Saba in the most remote but beautiful place we had seen. Outside of the fringing reef you could hear the ocean roar as the big swells crashed onto the reef but we were safely protected inside the calm lagoon. Ian and I both had a refreshing dip in the salty water of the lagoon. Later we went over to Saba for sundowner drinks and to swap stories about the short crossing we had made from the Marquesas. As the sun set across the motus next to where we were anchored we both realized that this was truly paradise found. It's just a short snorkel to the motus so today we plan to swim over and explore what's on the shoreline and under the sea. In a few days time we may motor another mile or so to the village to see how the locals manage to survive on these remote atolls.