Thursday, June 27, 2013

Back to Moorea

Dolphin sculpture at the park


Big swells were forecast for Tahiti and since the Marina Taina moorings are exposed to the west, we decided to come back over to the North side of Moorea.  When we were here before, we were in Cooks Bay.  Since our cruising rule is to always go somewhere new, we went came to Opunohu Bay and are anchored out on the reef just west of the Hilton.
I has been nice and calm except for the occasional idiot in a tour boat flying through the anchorage. 

I went up the mast to find out why the masthead navigation light was flickering and discovered that it was gone.  Don't know how but we can use the deck level nav lights until I get a new one.  Defender is having a sale so I'll order one up and bring it back later.

We had a breezy day yesterday and swam to the beach for a little exercise.  The winds and seas are forecast to build until Sunday so we are going to sail the 80 miles to the island of Huahine tonight.














Mast view of Opunohu Anchorage

Opti races right out  of our front door
We took the dinghy on a little ride (2 hours) to Sting Ray City.  It should have been called Shark City.
We were greeted by them even before I could snorkel up and check the dinghy anchor. These didn't bother us.


Shark swimming over the dinghy anchor line



Stingrays sleeping


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Back in Tahiti - Everything went like clockwork

We spent a month back in New Jersey getting things ready for the summer rentals. It was a big push and very busy. We got everything done and hopefully won't have any issues this summer.

The flights went fine. We took the midnight red-eye out of LA and got here at 7AM, rented a car, went to Customs to get our duty free fuel permit. Thanks to the excellent map on the incredible blog from our friends, Kathy and Dave, on Lightspeed, ecosaiingcharters.com. We never even make a wrong turn. We went to a few chandleries (acastillages in French) for some French specific boat parts and had decent success.

We were at the marina by 9:30 and got a ride out to the boat. It's a little dirty but not as bad as we have had in other places after a month of neglect.

We dinghy'ed back in for our luggage. Booker took food inventory and we went to the Super Marche for provisions. You have to make good use of a vehicle while you have it. It's a long haul walking or by cab.

Took a nap, got the rent-a-car back to the airport at 6PM and were asleep by 8. Slept 10 hours. Our circadian rhythm is back on local time within 1 day. Perfect. What a trip!

Street Food in Papeete


We are moored on the right. Check out the helicopter on the deck of the gray boat

A forest of masts at Marina Taina

Surf's Up

Kids learning to boogie board in the river

Tahitian Rent a Party Boat


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