We have sailed from Mangareva and are bound for Tahiti. All rather magical sounding. But it is all truly real for us onboard. 100% real. But magic does show itself from time to time.
After a rain at Rikitea, Mangareva things became a little different along the dark wet road going through the village.
A light rainfall moistened us there the other evening. This was not a ripping torential tropical downpour slashing sideways tearing fruit, flowers and branches off trees and the like. But a gentle misting, like walking through a cloud. Maybe that is what it was, a cloud snagged by Mount Duff and brought down to us to walk through.
Umbrellas come into play. Riders of scooters put their parkas on backwards to keep the wet off, always waving as they pass us by.
Leaves on the trees in folks’ gardens beside the road, barely moving, glisten in the night’s lights. The town dogs do not seem to mind this all very much and they glisten as well, after a fashion. Curiously these dogs do not over emanate that “wet-doggy” smell, known to all. A few flowers fell off the frangipani and gardenia trees, making for spots of light in the dark grass and road. But most of all, in the quiet of the night we could smell the enchanting fragrance of these flowers of the South Pacific as we strolled back to the ship at the wharf on this warm overcast tropical island night. Put one fallen from a branch behind your ear. On your left ear if you are spoken for, over the right ear if open to suggestion.
Puddles reflect the stars as they come out again.