Location: Nuka Hiva
Today, we started off with a 7:00 wake-up on the calm, beautiful waters of Nuka Hiva. However, it did not stay calm and peaceful. Paloma and the Morgans had other plans while cooking up in the galley. The bacon and eggs set off the fire alarm, so we had a nice little fire drill at 7:15 AM. Nonetheless, the breakfast was delicious and a great start to the day. We were then shuttled to land for a little shore time where people shopped, hiked, got snacks, and even played a little soccer/basketball. A few people bought some travel SIM cards so that they are able to use their phones to contact their families while in French Polynesia. I myself am still trying to figure out my phone situation with little luck, but the lack of a screen in my face all the time has been refreshing. After we returned to the boat for a delicious lunch of honey mustard chicken, salad, and potatoes, real good job, chefs!!! Following lunch, we were split up into two groups: snorkeling and EFR (emergency first responder). I was in the first snorkel group with Morgan G, Maya L, Paloma, Jake, James, Henry, Claire, Brooke, and Emma.
We headed over to our dive site, and as soon as we got in the water, there was a massive shark directly below us. I am not sure the exact type, but it was a very large, standard-looking shark. Just a few minutes after, Emma spotted a big ole hammerhead shark, which I only caught a quick glimpse of. We were dropped off near these huge jagged cliffs, and as we swam closer to them to get to shallower water, we spotted our first manta ray. It had a navy blue top which mimicked the cool dark surface of the ocean in the evening, a white bottom side like the sky on a bright yet cloudy day, and big open white mouths just ready to consume some phytoplankton. They were absolutely massive, they can get to about 5 meters or 16 feet wide, the rays we saw werent quite that size but were still huge (view image #1 for reference). We followed it as it swam through an enormous bait ball (a school of fish that attracts other larger marine animals), where we found a pod of six more manta rays. They swam in a majestic line formation doing smooth turns and flapping their wings, their long tails following behind like a trail off the back of a shooting star, dancing gracefully through the water as if it was whispering to them telling them where to move, doing barrel roll like maneuvers so close to us you could almost reach out and graze them with your fingertips! Following their magical wake led us to our next area along the underwater cliff face, disappearing into the dark abyss below. As I sit here writing this, I cannot help but ponder, where are these whimsical creatures now? As I write this, I got a glimpse into the wonders of their life, but perhaps that was all I was meant to see for now. As Socrates said, The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing (wow, thats deep). This statement lingers on my mind as a wonder (I know this might not make sense, but I just need to get my thoughts written out on paper).
Next, we went free diving, and Morgan got bit by an eel while chilling on the bottom. She was fine, though, it only left two fang marks in her wetsuit. We finished up snorkeling and dinghied back to Vela. I got to rest while the other group went snorkeling, and the chefs got to work on dinner. Yet again, Paloma and the Morgans cheffed up an incredible vegetable risotto, and once everyone returned, we went to the cockpit for dinner and had a squeeze. We had a belated birthday celebration for Maya W., and Emma brought out three different cakes to celebrate. There was chocolate and strawberry. We cleaned up, and then my snorkel group did the EFR course, learning what to do in certain medical emergency situations. Overall, it was an amazing day, one I believe I will remember for the rest of my life.