Koningsdam adventure, Fakarava, Tuamotu...

I was up early to get photos on our sail into Fakarava. The French Polynesian coral atoll of Fakarava is part of the Tuamotu Archipelago. The atoll is renowned for its stunning lagoon, pristine beaches and abundant marine life. Ann, Cathy, Lisa, Jim and I took the first tender to shore. The only village on Fakarava is Rotoava where the tender pier is located. We walked on the main road to the Catholic Church, the first Christian church of the Tuamotu Islands. There are a few shops on the island and we stopped at a couple of them. We took a detour from the main road to see both sides of the atoll. We walked from the turquoise lagoon side to the ocean side of the atoll in just a few minutes. These areas are markedly different, and exploring both sides is highly recommended. On our return walk we came upon a pair of nurse sharks entertaining us in the shallow water. Fakarava is known as a shark paradise with many different species: grey sharks, white tip, black tip, nurse sharks and tiger sharks…  Fakarava is all about slow-paced adventures that allow you to connect with the beauty of this remote paradise. It was another 100-degree hot hot hot day…after returning to the ship we spent some time in the Retreat. Today is Ann’s birthday…dinner celebration in the Pinnacle Grill this evening.