Hi
from Clare, Saturday 15th October 2016
TAHAA
We
sailed from Huahine to Tahaa on 4th October and continued
inside the lagoon up the west side of the island to visit the coral
gardens. This is a good snorkelling spot as there are many
varieties of tropical fish and as the name suggests there is some
nice coral. Sadly I can’t see the coral surviving well as the
garden is very shallow and it is under pressure by the number of
visitors. When floating on top of the water your tummy touches the
coral at times. We even saw a guide kill a sea urchin and feed it to
the fish so his visitors could get some good photos. Certainly not
the way we were taught in Australia to take only photos and leave
only bubbles.
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| Coral Gardens area |
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| Mmmm, sea urchin for lunch |
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| Taking nothing but photos |
We
circumnavigated the island of Tahaa stopping off at various
snorkelling spots as Patrick and Cheryl were in search of a Manta
ray. One of the local operators said it wasn’t the season yet so
we just had to be content with enjoying sunny days, 28 degree crystal
clear water and seeing more tropical fish.
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| Motu at Tahaa |
RAIATEA
Unfortunately,
due to Patrick and Cheryl’s pending departure we made our way over
to Raiatea. We picked up a mooring ball outside the Raiatea Marina
but the nice man in the office allowed us to stay on the visitors
dock for the same price. This made it much easier to get on and off
the boat and also much to my delight we had free water. So the next
day while Patrick and Cheryl toured the township, Andrew and I took
the opportunity to fresh water wash our dive gear, the boat, domestic
washing and fill the front water tank. Probably doesn’t sound very
exciting but believe me this is a rare opportunity and one not to be
missed; we were very happy.
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| Apooiti Marina, Raiatea |
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| BBQ at Marina Apooiti |
I
mentioned in our last email that I was reluctant to hire a motor
scooter for fear of falling off. Well whilst on the visitor’s dock
we meet a Norwegian couple who had flown in for their daughter’s
wedding today Saturday 15th. Unfortunately the
bride-to-be had a scooter accident in Bora Bora when dog ran out at
her. She was in hospital with a broken nose, gravel rash and
numerous stitches to her face which is all shades of purple and
green. So I sit here today wondering how the poor girl is going on
this her special day. I’m pretty sure I will stay off the motor
scooters.
For
our last night together Patrick and Cheryl shouted us dinner at the
Marina restaurant. It was a very pleasant night sitting by the
waterfront enjoying their company, dinner and a few farewell drinks.
The
following day Andrew and I went around to Raiatea Carenage Services
to confirm our booking for haul out next month. This gave us an
opportunity to check out the yard which seems fairly full already.
The manager said he has five more boats to come and not to worry as
they will move a few boats and make room. The bathroom facilities
are very basic so I am planning to spend as little time as possible
on the hard. This is the smallest and the most unattractive yard we
have encountered but it is one of the safest for possible cyclones.
Whilst
in Raiatea we booked our flight home arriving 29th November and also
did some much needed provisioning before setting off to Bora Bora.
BORA
BORA
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| Bora Bora |
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| Motu picnic facilities |
The
waterway inside of the lagoon with the backdrop of the world famous
volcanic peak of Bora Bora is stunningly beautiful. We anchored off
a small island which is used by the Cruise Ships to stage beach
picnics for their guests. The whole island is raked to perfection
and has open buildings with thatched roofs and picnic facilities
under large shady trees. The beach has thick white sand and the
warmest water we have found at 29.5 degrees. It was just off this
island we saw our first manta ray. I’m sure as we spend more time
here we will see others.
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| A big Manta 9 metres down |
Last night in company with American friends Meryl and Walter on ‘Flying Cloud’ we went to the famous Bloody Mary Restaurant. They have a patron’s honour board out the front displaying many film stars and famous people’s names. I guess our names will be added today. We enjoyed some cocktails at the bar followed by a very nice belated birthday dinner for Andrew. Bloody Mary’s Restaurant is the best we have found in French Polynesia.
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| Bloody Mary's |
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| The birthday Party |
SO
WHAT’S NEXT
We
will be in Bora Bora for about four weeks. This afternoon we will
check out the small township. We have heard that the town is a bit
shabby but it has a good supermarket with fresh fruit and vege.
Mangoes are now in season and yesterday by the roadside we bought
fourteen mangoes for $10. Tomorrow we will head around to the south
east corner of the island which is said to be very beautiful. We are
looking forward to our time in Bora Bora.
Love
Candy xx
