Tahiti

Hi everyone,

We've spent 9 nights in Tahiti so far.  We expect to depart tomorrow with the Tahiti to Moorea Sailing Rendezvous.  Our first week was spent reprovisioning, refueling, rewatering and doing minor boat jobs.

Sunset over Moorea from Tahiti

One morning we borrowed Let's Go's dinghy.  That took us the 2nm to Marina Taina for fuel and water.  From there we walked to the nearby Carrefour supermarket for an initial provisioning run.  It would have taken three runs in our little dinghy and the battery is only good for one trip, and that in calm weather.  Thanks guys!

Borrowed dinghy full of fuel & water at Taina Marina

Pit stop at the marina cafe

Heading home

One afternoon we went for a snorkel with the EBBYC crews of Let's Go, Matahari and Adriana1.  We swam on the reef adjacent to the anchorage.

Every day a set of Tiki Bar boats come out to the reef near the anchorage.  They're fun to watch but the doof-doof music gets tiresome for the boats anchored near them.  Happily we can barely hear them.

Tiki Bar boat passing by

We spent two days touring the island with the Aussie sv Southern Wing crew.  We hired a car and spent one night at a small beach-side chalet hotel near the isthmus of the island.  We visited a museum, two Maraes, a water garden, several waterfalls and a lookout near the top of the "small island" east of the isthmus.

The museum

Recovered anchor from Cook's HMS Adventure

In the museum

We visited two Marae - sacred Polynesian sites.  Constructions of volcanic rock and carved stone tiki statues.

The water garden is an ancient Polynesian series of water streams and ponds fed from waterfalls and draining into the adjacent ocean.  Very interesting and colourful.

Later on day 2 we drove along the S coast of the "small island" to the site of the 2024 Paris olympics surfing events.  A long way from Paris!

Our accommodation was basic but clean, and very affordable.  It offers a set of small chalets or a terrace of rooms with a common area.  Twas a nice little place to stay and they recommended a great place for dinner.

Chalets

Posh dinner at La Manoa restaurant

On day 2 we explored the N side of the "small island", including driving up to a lookout point.  There were several walks from the lookout point and we took a short one.

We then returned to the "big island" and drove back to Papeete along the E coast.  We stopped at several waterfalls along the way.

Approaching Papeete we stopped at Pt Venus where Cook observed the transit of Venus.

Pt Venus lighthouse

In Papeete we visited a couple of the chandlers.  We managed to get everything we wanted which was a pleasant surprise.  From there we went to the Carrefour supermarket for our final Tahiti reprovisioning.  Then back to Taina Marina for happy hour drinks with OCC sv Nimue.  It was great to see so much of Tahiti.  We were very lucky with the weather, dinghying in and out in flat calm conditions.

Returning back to Zen Again

Our next planned stop is Moorea.  That's only a 15nm sail and we'll have a couple of local school kids with us (and a chaperone).  Then we have Sailing Rendezvous cultural events on Sunday and briefings on the Cooks, Tonga and NZ on Monday.  Should be fun and educational!

Trust all's well where you are.