Perilous

So, it turns out that the reef at the edge of the lagoon surrounding Aitutaki is not as benign as it looks.

It has a shallow fast moving covering of water designed to drag you out to the deep sea beyond where hungry sharks and whatnot are waiting. It was exactly the sort of adrenaline rush that one ought to avoid just before predinner drinks. Thank goodness for my new flippers! ($55 from Manai Trader Superstore cf $70 per week to rent).
Lovely fish, though.
Also, did you know that all tropical island resort villas look identical when approached from the water? Not a useful feature when you’re already wrung out from battling the local biosphere.
This post is dedicated to my Uncle Colin, mum’s little brother, who was a big fan of tropical island cruises in his younger days, although we always suspected that was more due to an appreciation of the generous drinks packages rather than a love of the local flora and fauna. Thinking of you, Spab.