May 2010. Taha’a Island, Society Islands, South Pacific.

After 3 days and nights of squalls with lashing rain the sun came up and we lifted anchor from our resting place in a ‘Hurricane hole’ on the island of Taha’a.
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We set off into the wind to find the tortoise sanctuary. Charlie and Freddie enjoying the ride!

Taha’a is a small island with no beaches. We had to find something for the children to do after being holed up in the boat during a spell of bad weather.

Otherwise they start going BONKERS after a few days at sea! (see movie in Cabin kids section).

We sailed with Blue Magic and Jackamy to the Hibiscus Lodge on the north side of Haamene bay.

We found the turtle sanctuary in a quiet paradise at the edge of the anchorage.

Many fishing nets around the lagoon were found to trap a number of turtles.
Rescued turtles are kept in enclosures in the sea just below the Hibiscus lodge.
Here they are nurtured until ready for release.
Local children were keen to show us the turtles.

We met Dave who helps rescue and care for the turtles.

He picked a beautiful turtle and explained that we could become part of the programme by releasing him into the wild from our boat.

We paid a small fee to help the sanctuary and attended to paper work.
Annie and Amy waiting for the turtle in the sunshine. Jackamy in the background.

The turtle was tagged for life and his details logged in a register.

Chrissie helped Charlie to write our details and a short story of our trip in French as the Society islands are still part of French Polynesia.

We named our turtle Baldrick as we hatched our ‘cunning plan to release him’ whilst waiting in the bar!

While we waited for permission to take the turtle to the boat, Annie found a friend.

Dave showed us a stone fish kept in the sanctuary.We have always feared this fish but never seen it.
The fish lives in shallow stony water and must not be disturbed.The spines are so poisonous that the venom causes death within one hour of injection into the body.

Finally we were ready to take Baldrick to his new home in the ocean and transferred him to Blue Magic who have a bath tub on board!

Annie and Chrissie taking care of the turtle. We were instructed to carry him on his back for his own safety.

Charlie, Freddie and Annie with Baldrick.

Chrissie helming Blue Magic and carrying Baldrick to freedom.

Freddie taking care of the turtle on Blue Magic.

Finally it was time to say goodbye to Baldrick.Paul carried him carefully to the dinghy.

We set off to the lagoon.

Chrissie lifted him into the water and we watched him swim.

To FREEDOM!!! Bye Baldrick Good luck!!!

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