Photo Gallery - June 2005
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
Leaving
Buka Island for the passage to BudiBudi. We stopped in at Buka for only one
night due to threat of bad weather the day before which never materialized.
A
parting shot of Buka Island and the clearing sky which greeted us that
morning.
Jonah
takes a trick at the wheel.
Live
long and prosper says Jonah.
Arriving
at Budibudi atoll, also known as Laughlan Atoll on the charts. The atoll is a
near perfectly shaped horseshoe with the open end facing West.
This
photo was taken just moments after the one above, only it is a view of the motus
(islets) on the North side of the lagoon. The photo above shows the motus on the
South side. The cloud cover enveloped the entire atoll within an hour of our
arrival.
Another
shot of Budibudi atoll showing the beautiful clear sky we enjoyed upon arrival
making our navigation into the lagoon a breeze.
One
of the many spinner dolphins that live in the lagoon. They greeted us as we
arrived as they must do for all who visit here.
A
nice photo showing 2 dolphins in synchornized swimming just off the bow. The
school of dolphins that live here must number over one hundred. We saw them
every day, usually several times, within sight of our anchorage.
This
shot shows 3 or 4 of them just below the surface of the clear aqua water. The
little motus ahead are our destination.
Tau,
a Budibudi resident who came to visit us shortly after we arrived (and whom we
would see a lot of during our visit). Tau is one of the leaders of the small
village on the motu where we anchored. The larger village, on the other side of
the lagoon, is home to the majority of the atolls residents.
The
main, large village. We visited this village only twice, this time to walk to
the far side of the motu to see blow holes.
The
main village consists of a large motu with homes built along the water's edge
and just back from it with a nice, wide, clear sandy area behind the second row
(where this photo is taken from).
The
walk to the far (Eastern) side of the main village motu passed first through
several fenced garden areas. We walked single file most of the way with our
guide Essie leading the way.
The
fence protecting one of the gardens.
After
passing through the garden area we emerged into a large area of tidal sand
flats.
Another
view of the sand flats behind the main village's motu.
Somewhere
along the way we picked up a train of followers. These two joined us on the sand
flats.
The
line of people following us to the blowholes on the other side of the island
grew as we walked on. I suppose they were just bored and had nothing better to
do.
The
area where the blowholes were turned out to be quite impressive. This wave
crashing onto the shore blasted water up quite a ways. The seas were well
developed, a strong trade wind of 20+ knots having blown for several days
previous.
The
actual blow holes were found among the coral shelf shown here.
Jonah
gets drenched.
Looking
down into one of the holes you can see the sandy shore below and the water
ebbing and flowing with each wave. Since it was low tide this hole (set further
back from the shore) did not actually blow.
The
group assembled to view the blow holes seemed to all enjoy the sights.
The
beach at the main village's motu.
Another
shot of the beach showing the small motus on the South side of the lagoon where
the Queen Jane is anchored.
A
man at the main village building an add-on to his home.
The
beach at the small village.
Jonah
on the beach (at the small village). The Queen Jane can be seen anchored just
off the beach.
A
house in the small village. Note the green water tank to the right of the house.
Some
kids at the small village.
Elise
and her husband Tau (and their youngest child).
A
trading boat which comes to the island periodically to purchase the harvest of
Beche de Mar (sea cucumber) which are collected and smoked by the local people.
They are paid somewhere in the area of $10 per kilo. The Beche de Mar is
exported to Asian countries like China and Japan where it is considered a
delicacy. The local people reported to a man that they have never tried eating
it.
Jonah
with a baby chick in his hand.
Jonah
and a boy name Rex who he played with while we visited Budibudi.
