Coongoola Tour

  The tour bus took us on a very bumpy ride to the other side of the island were we took a small boat out to the Coongoola.  Once we started sailing we were served tea and bread.  

  We stopped by a turtle reservoir.  Not a very technical set-up; there consisted three large tubs with different sized turtles in each tub of water.  The owners raised the turtles until they were three years of age and then released them.  

  After visiting the turtle reservoir we returned to the boat to set sail for a secluded white-sand beach.  Along the way we saw schools of jellyfish and fish that were over 300 pounds and ~ 6 feet long.  

  The ride back was again a very bumpy 20 minute ride, one that seemed like an eternity when you have to use the restroom.

  Oh yah, did I mention, I almost chocked to death on coconut.  I must have inhaled the coconut piece during lunch because I had to finally get a whacked on the back to dislodge the piece.  Not something I recommend doing, remember to chew coconut. 

  We returned to the Le Meredian around 1730.

One year old turtle

  Once at the beach the motor boat took us out to a reef where we snorkeled for 30 minutes.  The pictures do not do the coral reef justice. The reef was colorful along with the fish, sea cucumbers, starfish and sea slugs (did not see any sea snakes though,,,always nice).

  We then returned to the secluded beach and had a good lunch consisting of marinated meat, coleslaw and cucumbers.  After lunch we took the boat out to a different reef and snorkeled for another 30 minutes.

  Once we finished snorkeling we gathered our belongings and sailed back to Efate.