We crossed over the International Date Line twice within a 48 hour period and during that time, have had to monitor the ships clocks and daily newsletter to know the exact date and time as we’ve lost whole days and gained new ones. The average air temperature is now 86 degrees and the water temperature is 89.
Our first stop in the South Pacific was the Kiribati Islands with Tebuaeran (Fanning island) being the first visited. This is one of the most under developed places in the pacific, with its 1950 plus population; Tebuaeran has no electricity or running water and receives nearly all of its supplies needs via private boats, cruise ships and a periodic supply ships out of Australia. Tabuearan is an aired low lying atoll with a land mass of 13 square miles, encircling a 426 square mile lagoon. The land is thickly covered with coconut palms and assorted native plants. We also saw some bread fruit, banana and mango trees scattered throughout the island. There are 32 islands that make up the country of Kiribati, of which only 7 are inhabited. The capital is located on the island of Bairiki, (Tarawa).
Entrance to Fanning lagoon at English Channel
The Tebuaeran people were very warm, friendly and inviting. We were greeted with the songs provided by several church groups of assorted ages. There were several long tables filled with hand crafted trinkets and souvenirs for sale, made of wood, shells and palm frowns. Sandy and I brought, several items with us for trading and general gift giving that were received with big grins and delight, fishing line and hooks, combs and brushes, lighters and sugar free bubble gum for the kids.
Tomorrow we will visit another one of Kiribati’s 32 islands, Kirimati (Christmas Island). However, due to the shallowness of the waters surrounding Kirimati, we will only sail around the island on our way to the Equator and our first stop in French Polynesia, Rorotonga.
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