Harorayeet (Two Islets)

After a good night's sleep, we headed out on what would be a short day sail over to Harorayeet, also known as Two Islets. We first thought our anchorage would be at Dhanab Al Qirsh (aka Green Reef), just past Harorayeet, but as we approached we could see that the labyrinth of reefs made it a perilous choice. So we backtracked to the two small islets.

It was a good choice. We anchored safely (N18°53.334 E037°45.717) between the two lovely islets in 9 m (30 ft) of sand out of the wind and waves.

Our first sight was an indigenous fisherman motor-sailing his small panga past. He had obviously made the sail and it seemed to be doing an excellent job.

Home-made sail

We dinghied ashore with Chanty. This was still new to her as she is strictly a boat cat. She scrambled along the hot sandy beach not really enjoying it so we took her back to Sea Turtle so that we could beachcomb at our leisure and found it to be yet another great spot for shelling.

Can I go back now?

A ways off the shore, we saw two large eagles that were paying too much attention to us. We found out why soon enough when walking through the low bush we came across a nest of sticks, just lying out in plain sight, and sitting perfectly still were two well grown eaglets staring straight ahead. As exposed as they were, the makings blended in perfectly with the weathered twigs of the next. We silently crept away so as not to disturb them as frantic parents flew overhead.

We also walked past several dead turtle shells and/or skulls which were distressing to see. Here, turtles are eaten and not considered an endangered species, though they probably are.

Easy prey for fishermen

We snorkelled back to Sea Turtle as we dragged the dinghy along behind us. There was a lot of coloured coral and several bright fish.

Brain coral and colourful clams

We had company that night in the anchorage. A couple of fishing boats called this their night's stop as well so we stopped to say hello. They spoke no English but were very friendly and showed us all their fish. We returned to Sea Turtle and contemplated our good fortune of a comfortable boat compared to their evening in an open boat with lots of smelly fish in a Styrofoam ice chest, an open fire in the bottom of their boat to cook their late meal, and a couple of wooden slats to sleep on.

Opposite of luxury