“Mum, I’m not sure what they’re saying, but I think they want to play.”
Maia was staring down a little crowd of local kids on the dock. We’d all exhausted the standards: what’s your name, how old are you, how are you, and where are you from--and were at the stage where we stared at each other and smiled. So Evan hunted out a length of rope and they all began skipping. Soon the crowd grew and giggles rang out.
Pouheva is a community with about 750 people living on Makemo atoll. There are three stores, a church, a post office and a school—which means that the 50 or so boats that show up here each year are pretty much the biggest entertainment going. We offer the kids here a glimpse into an outside world that they don’t have a ton of access to. And we bring toys and entertainment to a place where a basic rubber ball costs $10.
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| Britannia may have gotten more than they bargained for when they let the first kids aboard--but they all headed back to the dock after the swim was done |
Mostly though, I think they entertain us. There are moments when they are a little too enthusiastic and we end up being a bit overwhelmed, but it’s worth hearing the giggles.
The color of the water is enough of a reason to make a cruising dream happen. Stunning!
ReplyDeleteVictoria, that was my first thought too when I saw that aquamarine turquoise. I miss that warm water.
ReplyDeleteAnd swimming it it is even better than looking at it:)
ReplyDeleteI recognize some of these kids from last year!!~ Oooooh, it just makes me so happy. No tying to the wharf last year, that must be nice for easy on/off the boat (for EVERYONE!). Do you have any fruit left? The Makemo kids were all over ours. I couldn't say no. :)
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