Wind and Squalls

I am updating this with little new to add unfortunatly. The strong winds have continued and I am still moored at the Taravana Yacht Club. It is comfortable and the food is great. I have met some really nice people. The wind is supposed to finally drop in a couple more days so I can move on then. The Tahitians call this wind Mara'Amu. It happens when a strong high pressure passes by to the south. It has remained stationary for days now. The seas outside are very rough. Luckily inside the the lagoon it is fine. So I am relaxing and getting boat projects done, while waiting out this weather.

Polynesian Show

I went to my first Polynesian show at the Taravana Club on Tahaa. It was really good with a small intimate setting. There was an audience of about 40 people all from the sail boats. The food was great and the singing and dancing was excellent. They kept it up for 3 hours with alot of audience participation. I was invited to join another couple at their table who I had met before so that worked out well.
I am hanging out here for awhile because it is comfortable and I can get a few projects done. The wind is quite strong so exploring new areas with the deep anchoring is not inviting right now. I would like to go to Uturoa to shop but the wind would have me pinned to the dock. This cruising is not simple. The weather plays such an important part of your daily life. The weather now is great except for the wind. Next week should be better as the high moves away to the east.

Taravana Yacht Club

It has been said that cruising is defined as working on your boat in exotic locations. No doubt that is partially true. Today while moored off the scenic Taravana Yacht Club I was engaged in repairing the toilet. It was a real mess inside. I scraped out salt deposits and other crude. Then I replaced some worn parts. Now the toilet is working well. The yacht club provides a nice restaurant/bar and other cruiser friendly ammenities. One being the mooring I am using, as the water is 100' deep. Bill Hannah was quite impressed with my manual windlass where you crank in 300' of chain 3 inches at a time. Anyway the mooring is appreciated. It seems very comfortable here so I will stay for a few days.

Back to Raiatea

We are back to Raiatea for Bill and Mary's flight back to Hawaii. We had a great time in Bora Bora. After a fantastic dinner at the Bora Bora Yacht Club we went looking for snorkling spots. We found a good anchorage right next to a pretty reef with lots fish and coral. Bill found a really nice shell but it was still alive to we put him back on the reef. The water is amazingly clear. At night we could hear the Tahitian drums from the Hotel Bora Bora's Polynesian show. We moved on the next day to other diving spots and settled in for the night at a very peaceful anchorage. There are many anchoring locations in shallow water with a sandy bottom. We motorsailed back to Raiatea with light winds and calm seas. I have some boat projects and chores to do. I plan to cruise over to Tahaa for awhile to relax and do my chores.

Bora Bora

After seeing Judi off at Raiatea, Bill and Mary arrived the next day. After a pleasant evening the rain began. The next morning we sailed for Bora Bora with the weather not looking too good. We ended up with a downwind sail in 10-20 kt winds with a 2 meter south swell rolling us around quite a bit. Mary succumbed to "mal de mer" but then recovered for our arrival after 5 hours. We proceeded through the lagoon to the Bloody Marys restaurant anchorage. In rainy weather we went ashore for dinner but then found out reservations were required. So we went down the street a ways to another very nice restaurant where they could get us in since it was early. We had a great seafood dinner then headed back to the boat. Soon after it really started pouring rain and continued all night. In the morning we moved the the Bora Bora Yacht Club anchorage. We have the required dinner reservations for tonight. The anchoring here is challenging in the 90 foot deep water. Swinging room from your neighbors needs to be considered. Also bringing 300 feet of chain and anchor up with my manual windlass is a workout. Bill had his turn at that this morning. After this trip I can really see the advantage of a larger boat, powered windlass, and a larger more powerful dinghy. The rain has cleared, so after shopping today, we will head out to the reefs for some snorkling tomorrow.

Raiatea

We are back in a wifi zone at Raiatea. We really enjoyed Huahine. We motored down through the channel to Avea Bay. It was really amazing how beautiful everything is, from the color of the water to the green textures of the jungle forest. The island has many fiord type bays which can be explored. Avea Bay was very peaceful. We went snorkling in very clear water and saw many tropical fish and two large sting rays which looked rather dangerous with their long tails raised up. The next morning we navigated back to Fare and the pass to head for Raiatea. We had a pleasant sail in light winds and as they say "mer belle peu agitee" We arrived through the pass at 1300 and anchored behind a small motu. After lunch we headed out for more snorkling. It was again very nice with deep coral reefs and thousands of fish. The water had at least 150' visibility. Now we are moored at the Marina Apooiti where all the charter boats are based. Judi has to catch her flight back to Hawaii. Tomorrow Bill and Mary arrive here for the next leg. The weather has been perfect. I hope it holds as we plan to sail to Bora Bora from here. It is only about 15 miles.

Huahine

We left Papeete at noon to sail 100 miles to Huahine. It started off with little wind so we were motoring. At about sunset the winds picked up to 18-20 kts from directly behind. So the jib was rolled out and the engine could thankfully be turned off. There was a south swell running about 6 feet so it would roll the boat around quite a bit. Judi summed it up saying "This Sucks!!". Well it was rolly but otherwise a nice night with no rain. I kept an occasional lookout for interisland traffic and had 3 cargo vessels pass by during the night. That is always cause for concern. I did manage a little sleep. I would set the alarm for one hour periods then go up and check for traffic. We arrived in Fare, Huahine at 0800 with a sunny morning and big canoe races just getting started. We launched the dinghy and checked out the town. It seemed very "South Pacific" and is very small, a nice change from Papeete. Judi bought a colorful pareo and we had lunch at a classic beach restrauant. Today we head south within the lagoon to Avea Bay, a remote beach and reef for snorkling and a secluded anchorage. Friday we sail for Raiatea for Judi's flight out on Saturday. Then Bill and Mary arrive from Honolulu on Sunday.

Getting chores done

We got back to Papeete just in time before a big wet weather system moved through. We really enjoyed Moorea. We hated to leave. Today the skies cleared but that pesky south wind is blowing making the dinghy passages to shore rough and wet. We completed my departure clearance for the Leeward Islands and got my sail back. Judi did a pile of laundry. It is too windy to put the sail back on right now. Hopefully by morning we will get it back on. We intend to leave for Huahine tomorrow sometime with SE winds. It should be about a 20 hour sail. We are looking forward to exploring a new island.

Spectacular beauty

We are still enjoying Opunohu Bay. The weather has been perfect. We went snorkling in very clear water. I saw some fish that were quite different from what I see in Hawaii. Also did some paddling with the kayak just sightseeeing. We are going to relax here another day then head back to Papeete. We were boarded by customs agents. It is common here at Opunohu. They were considerate and friendly. All of our paperwork was in order. A cold front is passing by close tomorrow so we should get some rain going back but the winds are forcast to be light from the west or south. We will motorsail for the 4 hour trip. In Papeete we will pick up my sail, departure clearance papers and do some laundry. We can also get water and fuel. We will also pickup some provisions from the big store there. I don't want to run out of Hinano, that's for sure. We will be busy in Papeete, then leave as soon as we can.

Uponuho Bay

We are still enjoying our stay here in the most spectacular anchorage of Polynesia. It has it all for scenery and location. We went ashore to explore the area and ended up at the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon for lunch. Had a great but expensive lunch at the pool bar. Had a nice walk back and just got to the boat when the rain started pouring. It rain hard the rest of the afternoon. Most boaters took the opportunity to shower in the rain. I sat in the dinghy for my shower/bath. It rained all night as well but this morning it is clearing with a pretty sunrise. With the sun returning now I plan to do some paddling and diving today. The light wind will turn to the north for our trip back to Papeete tomorrow.
Ron

Moorea

We are now anchored at Opunohu Bay on Moorea. It is the classic perfect spot to anchor with a nice beach, coral reef and fantastic mountain views. We anchored in 10' of water which was a nice change. This is a place to relax. I plan to use my kayak and do some diving. The water is crystal clear. There is a large Sheraton resort which we can dinghy to for a nice dinner. We plan to sail back to Papeete on Sunday to pick up my sail that is being repaired. For now we can just relax.
Ron

Peaceful Again

The weather has returned to normal. The Mara amu is over. We are planning to sail to Moorea tomorrow. I had to send my jib sail in for repair to the suncover. It will take a week so we will return to Papeete Sunday to pick it up. Then we will sail for Bora Bora. We are having a nice time with the much improved weather.
Ron

Still too much wind and surf

We are holding on here waiting for a break in the wind. It is frustrating too be getting this long stretch of wind and swell. It has to improve eventually. Ling and Shane flew home. They were great having on the boat and I will miss them. Judi is here now and looking forward sailing to Moorea but we need better weather first. I am enjoying Papeete. Everyone is so nice and friendly. The food is always exceptional. I enjoyed some poisson cru, a local favorite. Hope to take Judi to town tomorrow to see the Central Market Place. Big festivals going on now too. This south wind should turn to trades tomorrow.