FAKARAVA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

        Fakarava is an atoll in the west of the Taumotu group in French Polynesia.  An atoll is a ring shaped coral reef that encircles a lagoon.  In the the case of Fakarava, it is rectangular in shape.
                                          
As you see above, the Fakarava atoll is rectangular in shape.  Our ship entered and exited the lagoon on the northwestern end.  The atoll is 70 miles long and 25 miles wide.  It has 855 inhabitants and the main village is Rotoava.  There is no pier here so we will be anchored and use tenders to go ashore again today.  There are no excursions today as there is not much to see and do other than enjoy the beautiful beaches and water life.  There were some bicycles to rent.  Fakarava is being classified by UNESO as a biosphere reserve.  We arrived at 8:00 am and will departed at 2:00 pm.

                  We are anchored here in the huge lagoon just off village of Roroava.

                           We had rain showers early this morning just prior to our arrival.

 I took the tender ashore just after 9:00 am but only stayed for 40 minutes as it was very hot and not much really to see.  I walked a ways down the road in direction the locals said nice beaches were.  Didn't know how far there were and I got hot so turned around before getting to them.

                                  The Jean Ann Ryan cast members are renting bicycles.

                                            This is road I walked down

      Every roof had a water catchment system to funnel rain water into storage vats.  They had electricity and satellite tvs.  There was even a small airport.  Supplies brought here by boats.

                                                       This is a small church

                                   The water was perfectly clear and the colors amazing

I did find this very small beach.  I talked to the guy on pier and he said he had seen a very small shark swimming in the shallow waters off pier.  I did not see it.

                                         You can see the coral in the clear water

                               This is a school and appeared to be at least 40 kids

                                            Not sure what this is but looked very old

                                    Sailing out of the lagoon and passing a reef

                                        About to exit the atoll lagoon on the north side.

                                 Looking down the atoll as we go through the pass.

        We are now sailing westerly along the atoll and after passing it will set a course directly for our next stop, Bora Bora.  We are scheduled to arrive there tomorrow at noon.  Tonight is the Captain's Farewell Cocktail Party and "Krew Kapers Show" (show put on by the crew).  We will not go see it as saw it on first segment.  Tonight is formal optional dress so I will wear my dinner jacket.  We have been invited to dine at the Food & Beverage Director's table this evening.  This is our good friend, Goran's, table.  Always fun with him.  We're looking forward to the Beef Wellington on tonight's menu.
        Tomorrow we will be packing.  Boo Hoo!!  I have a tour scheduled for 2:00 pm but have not decided if I will go on it or not.  We are to dock in Papeete, Tahiti, at 5:30 am on Sunday.  We are suppose to disembark the ship at 6:00 am and take a bus to the airport for our 8:25 am flight.  It's going to be tight but they say we will make the flight.  There are 100 passengers from ship on that flight.  Our luggage will be trucked directly to the airport where we will claim it and then check in for flight.