All through the South Pacific we’d missed the opportunity to visit a Pearl Farm for a variety of reasons, but we were delighted today to eventually learn about this fascinating natural wonder.
Our tour started with an explanation of the “seeds” made from mother of pearl shells, the type of which ultimately defines the colour of pearl produced. These “seeds” are first cut into small squares, then the edges are removed before being rounded, the shape and size of which correlates to the shape and size of the pearl that is eventually cultivated, a process that takes approximately two years.
A “seed” is then placed into a live oyster, following which it is returned to the ocean that evening in a net. In the interim, the oysters are briefly kept in oxygenated tanks until they are seeded.
Every three months the oysters are cleaned and checked, since 30% of them actually “spit out” the seed and have to be reseeded. These cultured pearls follows the same process as a natural pearl, except that a natural pearl is not artificially seeded, making them extremely rare.
This farm was also forced to breed oysters due to the trawling practices of Thailand, which destroyed the natural breeding grounds, before this type of fishing was banned. Today, breeding is carried out once or twice a year at the farm, which starts during the spawning season. From the eggs, the baby oysters are kept in tanks for two months before being put into smaller nets and placed in the ocean to grow.
There are currently around 3000 oysters in this Oyster Farm. Our tour guide and owner has spent 46 years running his farm and shop, the latter of which houses all the beautiful creations made by his wife. Unfortunately the 2004 tsunami destroyed everything and they were forced to start over.
His firsthand account of that fateful day sent chills down our spines and certainly brought home the terror that was experienced as people started to run for their lives when each wave that crashed onto the beach grew bigger. It was actually the fifth wave that the world witnessed, destroying property and taking lives; another world event where we knew exactly where we were and can instantly recall the horrific images we watched on television that Boxing Day morning with Justine and Paul, who were visiting us from the UK and who were spending Christmas with us at our log cabin in the White Mountains of Arizona.
Back in the dinghy, it was time to explore further afield; across Chalong Bay to the town of Chalong. Fortunately our reconnaissance proved fruitful, finding the dinghy dock and then a car hire in quick succession.
While neither of us cared much for the area, though, finding it very tacky and rundown, although the very long pier was beautifully decorated, Elaine got her first ride in a Songthaew and there were special “tourist accesses” set up, it was another option to get provisions and to get to the hospital during the NE Monsoon season.
Back on Paw Paw, we both desperately needed to cool off, so down went the swim platform, the first time since March 2020 when Justine and Paul were visiting us in Malaysia and into the clear, cool water we went. After lunch and an afternoon nap, we were both back in the water; this time Roy taking the opportunity to clean Paw Paw’s bottom again, while Elaine paddled around.
For dinner we decided on “build a burger” night which, although requires time-consuming preparations, they were, nonetheless, delicious.
Our day ended on a good note; Elaine received a beautiful gift for our upcoming anniversary and our Chagos permit for 2022 had been approved; permit number one.
