The Blue Lagoon

First things first...happy birthday, grandma from Aitutaki. Today would have been my grandmother's 87th birthday so this morning I wrote a big greeting to her on the beach. Today was another incredible day in the Cook Islands. We went on an all day cruise of the lagoon primarily for snorkeling but also to learn some of the history of the island. We went on the tour with a group of about 16 others with Teking Lagoon Tours. I would highly recommend taking your lagoon tour with Teking because he knows the lagoon inside and out and while his sense of humor is not for everyone he's a cheerful goodhearted man who seems only concerned with your enjoyment and safety. If you watched Survivor Cook Islands, Teking had a hand in the production of the show as a site coordinator and guide. The newlyweds from Portland (the ones taking a yearlong honeymoon) were also on the tour. We also met couples from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Australia. Teking took us to four islands and we made three stops in the lagoon for snorkeling each about 35 minutes. I thought the snorkeling by the hotel yesterday was quite something but it paled in comparison to the things we were able to see today...blue and purple coral, giant clams, fish of every color and variety, the most stunning clear water colors: turquoise, blue, green against the almost purple cloudy sky. Spectacular. After the second snorkeling stop we went to a tiny island for lunch. The lunch was awesome! Grilled tuna, chicken, fresh fruits some I have never even heard of but all yummy.Understand folks we're not talking sack lunches or fast food this meal was the real deal prepared on the beach served from huge clam shells on plates made from palm leaves, I took photos and you won't believe the spread! After lunch another snorkeling stop and then another island, and then the heavens opened up and it rained and rained and it's still raining. No matter about the rain the day was absolutely beautiful and the rain helped cool down the temperature and humidity. We left the hotel around 9:30 AM and returned just before 5:00 PM so it was a very full day. Snorkeling is harder than it looks and because we were in the water for close to two hours my body feels like it's been through the wash cycle on and wrung out. I'm not sure what we'll do tomorrow but I'm sure it will be fun even in the pouring rain.