As we enter our fifth day at the same anchorage, it is time to move on. Today Tuesday we sailed to Papeete. Bucking the light winds and confusing seas….it took us 5 hours to go nine miles. Papeete appears to be a major metropolis. And it is. We stern tied to the downtown Quay under the watchful eye of our very own security guard. Wennt shopping and found some cool stuff. Tomorrow we leave for Huahine.
Today Wednesday we enjoyed fresh tuna for lulnch. 1 kilo for about 6 bucks USD in the open air market. Grilled veggies and salad plus garlic bread and more tuna on the menu tonight.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
more about moorea
no chip reader to be found.
thanks dude. A little consideration could have gone a long way here. no fotos. will add later.
This is an idyllic location. This is the type of anchorage that makes all the hassle worthwhile. This is what we came for.
We rented a car for the day to go around the island. Ford Escort four speed with air. $136USD. A casual observation notes three basic visitor types to Moorea. First are the honeymooners from the US. The go by us every 3 or four hours by the boatload on the way to the “lagoonarium”. Lagoonarium is a caged in section of the reef that provides a very safe stand on the bottom and snorkel experience. The newlyweds love it.
Second group are the oldsters who waited until they could afford it. Barely able to stand or see. They amble around like cute old geese in Bermuda shorts. The oldsters really waited to long. Now their health limits their experiences.
The last group is yachties/cruisers. They are much more rare than the first two groups…but easy to spot. Quite a few of the cruising boats are French. They are usually spotted at the grocery strore. Sporting raggedy T shirts and flip flops, it is obvious they are not hotel guests.
thanks dude. A little consideration could have gone a long way here. no fotos. will add later.
This is an idyllic location. This is the type of anchorage that makes all the hassle worthwhile. This is what we came for.
We rented a car for the day to go around the island. Ford Escort four speed with air. $136USD. A casual observation notes three basic visitor types to Moorea. First are the honeymooners from the US. The go by us every 3 or four hours by the boatload on the way to the “lagoonarium”. Lagoonarium is a caged in section of the reef that provides a very safe stand on the bottom and snorkel experience. The newlyweds love it.
Second group are the oldsters who waited until they could afford it. Barely able to stand or see. They amble around like cute old geese in Bermuda shorts. The oldsters really waited to long. Now their health limits their experiences.
The last group is yachties/cruisers. They are much more rare than the first two groups…but easy to spot. Quite a few of the cruising boats are French. They are usually spotted at the grocery strore. Sporting raggedy T shirts and flip flops, it is obvious they are not hotel guests.
around Moorea
Cooks Bay on the island of Moorea is a beautiful bay surrounded by towering green mountains. It is also surrounded by the islands only road. And at dusk the cars roar by. Sheesh, I coulda stayed home and listened to traffic. After about 10:00 pm the traffic died and it was peaceful, albeit hot and sticky.
Up at the break of dawn…thanks to the stupid local roosters who started crowing at moonrise. We decided to continue around Moorea in a counterclockwise direction.
At the next bay (name here) we were dismayed to see a large cruise ship in port. Figuring that would mean more crowds, we continued on. The kite boarders at the northeast area were really interesting and colorful. Past the Club Med, we headed south down the west coast. We were scouting for and inlet to get inside the reef. As we were new to the area, we were hesitant to head in to a poorly marked pass.
We eventually found a well marked pass on the southeast side. As we sailed thru the pass and over the bar, it was pretty exciting. The towering (3600 ft) green clad spires caused the sun to disappear very quickly. With just a bit of daylight left, we sailed north, behind the reef up to (town name). Just past the island made famous by the “survivor” TV series. Dropped anchor in the clear blue water and settled in. No traffic, no city lights, nothing but the sound of the waves breaking outside the reef. Best sleep in years.
Up at the break of dawn…thanks to the stupid local roosters who started crowing at moonrise. We decided to continue around Moorea in a counterclockwise direction.
At the next bay (name here) we were dismayed to see a large cruise ship in port. Figuring that would mean more crowds, we continued on. The kite boarders at the northeast area were really interesting and colorful. Past the Club Med, we headed south down the west coast. We were scouting for and inlet to get inside the reef. As we were new to the area, we were hesitant to head in to a poorly marked pass.
We eventually found a well marked pass on the southeast side. As we sailed thru the pass and over the bar, it was pretty exciting. The towering (3600 ft) green clad spires caused the sun to disappear very quickly. With just a bit of daylight left, we sailed north, behind the reef up to (town name). Just past the island made famous by the “survivor” TV series. Dropped anchor in the clear blue water and settled in. No traffic, no city lights, nothing but the sound of the waves breaking outside the reef. Best sleep in years.
out to Moorea
Devon met us at the airport after walking over from the boat landing area at Marina Taina. The flight was late and by the time we cleared customs, it was nearly 11:00 local time.
Quick taxi to the marina and a short dingy ride out to the boat. Under a bright starlit sky, we motored past a few mega yachts and really nice boats.
Daybreak was calm. Devon and Dustin did some grocery shopping and we headed out to Moorea. The nine mile sail was quick and we were at the islands north end when we spotted a flock of birds circling. As we drew closer, we could see the actions aboard a small local fishing boat as he attempted to fish directly under the birds. Apparently, the birds fly over the schools of fish.
As we sailed along, we threw a large shadow on the water. The fish took refuge in the shadow as birds dove all around. We deciced to try and fish too. As we brought the boat around, Dusty grabbed the gear. Unfortunately, the sail grabbed a vital part of the windsurfer at the same time. In an instant, the part flew overboard and sank. Bummer. The mood went from joy of finding fish to the bummer of losing the damn windsurfer booms. We reeled in our line and sailed to Cooks Bay.
Quick taxi to the marina and a short dingy ride out to the boat. Under a bright starlit sky, we motored past a few mega yachts and really nice boats.
Daybreak was calm. Devon and Dustin did some grocery shopping and we headed out to Moorea. The nine mile sail was quick and we were at the islands north end when we spotted a flock of birds circling. As we drew closer, we could see the actions aboard a small local fishing boat as he attempted to fish directly under the birds. Apparently, the birds fly over the schools of fish.
As we sailed along, we threw a large shadow on the water. The fish took refuge in the shadow as birds dove all around. We deciced to try and fish too. As we brought the boat around, Dusty grabbed the gear. Unfortunately, the sail grabbed a vital part of the windsurfer at the same time. In an instant, the part flew overboard and sank. Bummer. The mood went from joy of finding fish to the bummer of losing the damn windsurfer booms. We reeled in our line and sailed to Cooks Bay.
where are the photos?
after 8 days in Tahiti and Moorea, we have lotsa photos to share. The photo chip reader however....... is not aboard. Apparerently it belonged to a prior crew member. So when we figure out how to download from the camera directly, we will provide pix. Maybe check out how much a chip reader costs when we go to the market in Papeete in a few minutes. We have internet from the boat again.
Anybody feeding the cat on Cherry Street? LOL
bye
Anybody feeding the cat on Cherry Street? LOL
bye
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
made it
So if you ever get the chance to fly Air Tahiti Nui....do it. The level of service, even in economy, is unsurpassed. Devon and Dusty have gone to town to buy groceries. Head out to Moorea later today. Currently at anchor about 5 miles south of Papeete behind a cool little reef. Debbie holds the directional antennae as the boat swings. gotta go.
fotos are coming!
Yes...it is very humid.
fotos are coming!
Yes...it is very humid.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Needed days off..........Debbie and Britt join the boat
This moving a boat around the world is hard work. 12 hours a day, 7 days week....three weeks at a stretch. Time has come for some relaxing. The boat has not checked in for 3 days.
Blaze is at anchor at Marina Taina about 5 kilometers south of Papeete.
Next up.....Debbie and Britt fly in on Tuesday.
Wednesday is provisioning day.
Thursday we head to Moorea....in the picture above.
Society Islands will be the cruising grounds for the next three weeks.
yippeee!
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