day 107 megan’s sentence continues
Ia orana, Megan here. Again. Now previously one might go so far as to say that not completing the blog because I didn’t feel like it at the time or I fell asleep …. One might say those things are my fault. Handing over the blog mid sentence because I was urgently needed on a reef-by-night mission? Maybe also my fault but some people had to rally for a final lobster mission and those people were me and Ellen.
Anyway, as I was saying:
Another shark, fantastic. Our manta ray entourage had lulled me into a false sense of security. It seems the tiger shark only disappeared to recruit reinforcement from a potential bull shark - even worse honestly, I hear bull sharks are the surliest. What’s next a bear shark? But hey at least we’re (probably) leaving!!
I decided to try on a more domestic day. While I did pop out for a smidge of beach wandering, mostly I dedicated my day to making focaccia (thank you Caroline for the recipe!). Making focaccia doesn’t really take all day, but because I lack confidence in the kitchen, I tend to hover. It went pretty well even with the addition of red flour beetles, who even left festive streaks of red throughout the dough - I can only assume there was some sort of massacre during the mixing process. I then transitioned right into hovering over dinner - a coconut curry starring all of our rotting vegetables.
I then fully intended to complete my blog entry, but Ellen was keen for a final lobster mission and I just had to muster the energy to go with her. The reef is a totally new environment at night. So too, is kayaking in the dark. The known world only exists in the cast of your headlamp; the unknown stretches fathoms further, envelopes you; it suspends you and your little light like the lantern of a deep sea fish. We did not find lobster. We did find brilliant blue and green urchins and schools of fish, only ever white. Where do the other fish go at night? Where do these fish go during the day? Where on earth are all the lobsters?? We found the way back to our kayak more challenging than expected - but only slightly.
Goodbye Apataki boatyard. I hope we do manage to leave tomorrow, but I will remember you fondly. Except for all the sharks.
xx Megan