June 3, 2024
Cork catch up!
So I have been chilly in Cork at my friend Edel's house, while we wait on the update of the Ship Inspections by the DNV ( DNV is somewhat like European Coast Guard). Sunday, after Mass, we went to Edel's nephew Brian's house to visit with his family. Lori, his wife and their first born Mia, came to OCNJ, along with Edel, her 2 kids and her brother Colm, for a 2 week vacation about 6 years ago. It was great to catch up with them and reunite with Colm (granddad), Lori and Mia again and to meet Brian and new additions Ava and Jax. All the kids were in great form, full of laughs and smiles! Below is their whole family at Jax's christening - he is now 6 months old. I forgot to get a picture when we were there, so Lori kindly sent me these. Mia is so grown up now at 8 and a lucky duck because her granddad scored them a lottery place for Taylor Swift tickets, for Dublin shows, and she and Lori are going to Sunday June 30th show!
I got to go Sailing Again! We were supposed to head to the COOK ISLANDS after the lovely Rangiroa and the Tuamotu Archipelago, but due to stormy weather there, with all unprotected tender ports, they made the decision to head us southwest, back to the protected port in Papeeta (Tahiti). We got lucky and Holly ( pictured below) found us a sailboat available for charter.
Since Janette Emerich is generous enough to share her drone photos with all of us on board the Ship, I have to share them with you all. This beauty is why I said we felt like we were in a screen saver the whole day in Rangiroa! I love the height perspective in the photos it really captures so much more. Blue Lagoon below:
The water in Rangiroa is so spectacular, I wanted to spend more time drift snorkeling and checking out the area called " The Aquarium ". So today I went back out for a 3 hour session to do 3 drift passes in Tiputa pass and then spent an hour in an area with wonderful healthy corals and tons of fish, earning it the nickname " The Aquarium ".