School Visit

Today, 22^nd April, we said goodbye to Enda, on the occasion of his 55^th birthday! Yesterday afternoon we motored through the frightening Pakaka pass on the Apataki atoll, with surfers all around riding the curling breakers, offering a dramatic spectacle to all aboard Irene IV. It was on this unlikely atoll that Enda had booked a flight to bring him to Pape’ete, Tahiti and then on home to Ireland. At breakfast onboard in full view of the airport, we saw a plane arrive and leave again about 2 hours before his posted departure time, a moment of panic crossed Enda’s brow as he checked his departure time online. All 5 of us plus Enda’s luggage piled into the tender, in the hopes that another plane would materialize! We got to the smallest airport imaginable in the small village of Niutahi with an hour and half to spare, and in immortal words of William Shakespeare, “All’s well that ends well!”. The same plane returned from making deliveries to a neighboring atoll and Enda was given a fitting farewell by the remaining Irene IV crew.

We have set ourselves many undertakings on our trip around the world. We are observing and documenting plastic usage and waste, we are endeavoring to be good ambassadors for the ocean, by adopting Blue Habits onboard, we are hoping to do some cultural exchanges in local schools and to offer reading glasses to those who cannot afford them or live in remote places that may not have appropriate facilities. Schools were back in session this week in French Polynesia after their Easter break. On Tuesday, 18^th April, I approached Chantal, the directrice of the Fakarava primary school at the end of her school day. I asked if we might come and play some Irish music for the children and talk to them a little about what we are doing, where we are going and play some musical games. She was very enthusiastic, an opportunity like this does not often present itself, she chimed. Of course, this being a French colony, permission had to be sought through the correct channels, so she asked me to return ay 08:30 the next morning to discuss date and time. Louis and I returned armed with violin and bodhrán. Chantal said that the “authorities” suggested next Monday at 15:30. We explained that we would need to leave before then. She remained unperturbed and put her problem-solving hat on. The solution involved giving the presentation off campus, thus not requiring her to seek authorization. Brilliant! She called the mayor, conveniently accommodated right next to the school, and before we knew it, we were asked to return at 11:00 to the community gathering hall, to play for the whole 120 student school. She even asked the mayor to post on Facebook encouraging parents to come along!

It was a great success! We, Louis, Nick, Enda and I, played Irish music, we showed the students our route on a world map, we taught them some Irish greetings, we sang and played some musical games for all to join in, and to crown it all they all sang 2 beautiful Polynesian songs to us. Afterwards a visit to the Infirmary next door, and a conversation with Dr. Amelie, resulted in handing over 25 pairs of glasses to be given to those on the island who might not otherwise afford them.  

The Irene IV crew has moved a little along the line of accomplishment and a collective sense of achievement is justified.

Today, 23^rd April, Louis, Nick and I went for a pre-breakfast snorkel in the aquamarine waters surrounding the atoll of Tuoa - yet another delightful paradise. Some plastic waste had been washed ashore, we gathered as much as we could carry and will sort and dispose of when we reach a larger port of call.