Days 24 and 25, Pacific Sojourn, May10 and 11, Manono Island kayak and an earthquake
Well this morning started with a rude awakening. A 7.4 magnitude earthquake just off the South Coast at 5.02am whichbwas later determined to be closer to Tonga. Fortunately no tsunami warning due to its depth. We have a tsunami plan: run for the hills! Funnily enough, Lulu texted me at 0630 to say they had received a tsunami alert and were sheltering in the hills. The Pastor in their village had rung the bells and everyone evacuated. They were given the all clear shortly after she texted me.
Our clients today were also woken and did the same as us, immediately checked the Pacific Tsunami Warning Website Which gave the all clear. They were 3km along the road and noone at the resort they were staying at notified them of anything so they went back to sleep!
Anyways, yesterday involved a trip to Apia to do some chores and a large rainstorm late afternoon that meant no swim. The rainstorms do cool things a little though. Today was a lot more exciting!
Today we did the Manono Island kayak trip. This was a last minute booking that we squeezed in for two clients so we decided to join Jesse as well. Most people do the trip over two days but a one day option is also available. These clients chose to do the full one day trip with lunch. It is an 18km paddle all up with a stop for lunch on the island.
Manono Island has no road and there are no cars, bikes or dogs on the island. You can walk round it in 1 to 2 hours. It does have a small primary school and at least 2 churches that we could see but it truly is a special place. Lunch was at the Sunset View Beach Fales where you can also stay overnight.
We paddled out through the Reef which was a bit scary for me and although the waves weren't breaking where we exited, the swell was pretty strong. We had a morning tea break on the east side of the island before paddling right round the northern end to our lunch spot. The paddle round the end was pleasant until we hit the head wind rounding the tip of the island. Of course the head wind persisted after lunch until we were nearly back again. Lots of slapper waves and a good pitch and roll as we traversed back to Upolu. My arms are exceptionally tired.
The trip also reminded me exactly why I do not rank kayaking highly on my list of must do sports. It's just too slow and a bit monotonous for me to find it particularly enjoyable. While I have done a fair bit of it in the past, I can definitely take it or leave it. Gordon on the other hand enjoys it immensely and did really well today.
Oh yeah, funny story. This morning when the earthquake shook the bed, I thought it was Gordon and his Parkinson's. So did he for a moment. We both had a giggle over that!
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