Web entries september 8th - 13th 2007
September 8, 2007 – Saturday
Got gas and water at the fuel dock
Anya took her suitcase in to the Airport Motel where she will be staying for one night next week via a quick ride in Le Truck, the public transportation.
September 9, 2007 – Sunday
Tahiti
Captain was feeling a little under the weather, so we decided not to leave for Huahine today, but hope to leave tomorrow.
September 10, 2007 – Monday
Tahiti to Moorea, Society Islands
Raised our anchor at 15:08, local in Tahiti to head straight to Huahine. Found the seas were rougher than expected, 8-10’swells from the south and 12-15 knot winds from the east. The easterly swell that wraps around Tahiti now becomes a northerly swell, and this meets the southerly swell, it gets real ugly. Not the best of conditions. There is also the South Pacific Convergence Zone overhead which means it's cloudy and rainy. Not much fun either. At least my gut is feeling normal now, getting the boat out and moving really helps.
Even with drugs in her system, our First Mate was not feeling well. So, the Captain consulted crew and charts, and then decided to turn into Baie de Cook, Moorea. Nightfall was nearing. Luckily, we had been here, so navigating and anchoring in the dark was not a big issue, still it took a bit of team effort to sight the markers and watch for obstacles like small boats hovering at the entrance. Yikes! When it comes to keen eyesight, the Captain is amazing! Also, it was good to have a pair of really good binoculars.
We dropped anchor at 19:54, local time.
Our underway passage meal of lasagna was served up and ready for Captain and crew by 2000, local time.
September 11, 2007 – Tuesday
Moorea, Society Islands.
0900: Moved from Baie de Cook to Baie d’Opunohu where most of the cruisers boats tend to anchor on Moorea. We hung out in this gorgeous place and understood why others stay many days here. The color turquoise of the water and clarity is absolutely unreal. A nearby public beach is white sand where locals and cruisers share the beach. Great place for kid boats to congregate. Generally, it is a quiet anchor, but we happened to be there when the bay was inundated with groups of eight-year-old boys and girls learning how to sail in small laser-type boats. Several of the cruising boats were obstacles for the children and twice, the young sailors crashed into our bow. We were waved many apologies from the teachers who tended the rescue boats. With admiration we watched as these Polynesian children showed all the personality types, from courageous risk takers to the frightened and scared.
Pulled up anchor 1500 local, leaving Moorea for Huahine, an overnight passage.
September 12, 2007 – Wednesday
Huahine, Society Islands
Captain: We are now anchored in Huahine after a nice sail from Moorea. You would think that after all this time; I would know when to completely trust my instincts. We left Moorea with a reef in the Mainsail, which was the right thing to do, however, after several hours, the wind started to die. I should have taken the reef out; this would have given us a bit more speed, but more importantly, the boat wouldn't have felt so sluggish and rolly. If we had arrived early, we could have stood off until daybreak, which wouldn't have been that long of a wait, but instead, we slugged along.
My frustrations with the way s/v Encanto comes up, again, rearing itself like a reoccurring bad dream. I am torn between the comfort of this boat for living, and the maintenance of the rusting steel hull, the poor sail shape and rigging layout, the poor cockpit, and ultimately, the overall performance of this boat in light wind—essentially its lack of ability to sail when beating into the wind. However, if we are close reaching and a dead run..
Well, we're at another beautiful place. Some people I haven’t seen since Fatu Hiva, in the Marqeasas, greeted us. That always makes me feel better. And, there is another boat we know here as well. I realize how important community means to me when we haven’t seen familiar boats and faces, now and again. I like the time in quiet anchorages when we are totally alone (rare as this has been), but I also like coming into an anchorage and the waves of friends. Guess, I'm need my people fix! We will only stay for a couple of days here as, we need to be over at Bora-Bora for Anya's flight.
Anya and Gaby: We were invited by Danika, s/v Matirea to join them at a “raft up” to watch sunset. Earlier in the day, Danika and husband, Stan, had been snorkeling in the nearby reefs when they heard the sounds of whales. She thought they might be able to see the whales at sunset. Joining them was the family on the vessel s/v Moonshadow. Moonshadow’s daughter, Jocelyn, brought her conch shell and at sunset, she blew as hard as her 8 year old body could, to bid the day adieu.
Boat (outrigger) races in the morning, several canoes started in our bay and rowed over to Raiatea
We continue to be amazed at the number of Polynesians who regularly paddle their outrigger canoes in every bay. It has to be the national sport of choice. These guys who paddle are really, really, in great shape! Met young couple we met before in Fatu Hiva
Took a walk and had lunch near the dingy dock.
Watched the Matrix
Anya finished Harry Potter 7
September 13, 2007
Melancholy seems to fill our hearts. What is going on?
September 14, 2007
Dropped anchor in Faaroa Bay-Raiatea, in 82 feet, sand and mud bottom.