3-2016 Tuamotu Archipelago

Hi from Clare, Thursday 23rd June 2016

DEPARTURE AT LAST
We left Nuku Hiva last Monday 13th June. By that time Andrew's infected leg was healing nicely, my shoes were repaired and we were fully provisioned. We heard on the radio that fresh fruit and veg will be scarce until we arrive in Tahiti in some twelve weeks time.

We sailed 90 miles to Hanamoenoa Bay on the island of Tahuata. We spent some time here last year so we knew it to be a calm anchorage with crystal clear water. So with a waterproof bandage on his leg Andrew was able to clean the slime off the bottom of the boat in preparation for leaving. However it wasn't all work and no play and we both enjoyed the 28 degree water. We spent two nights here in company with our Aussie friend Tony and crew on 'Tactical Directions'.

WHAT A TRIP
It took us 3 days in company with 'Tactical' to sail the 525 miles to the atoll of Raroia in the Tuamotus. During this time we experienced everything from pleasant sailing to absolutely no wind, pouring rain, threatening squalls, brilliant sunsets, flat seas, big swells, strong winds and this cycle was repeated a couple of times; it certainly keet us on our toes.

HEAVEN CAN WAIT
The Tuamotus is made up of some seventy atolls and the larger lagoons have navigable entrances. We arrived at the pass into the atoll of Raroia at slack water. This is the best time to negotiate the entrance as the incoming or outgoing tide can be as much as eight knots. Once through the pass we sailed five miles in flat water across the atoll and anchored off Kon-tiki Island (named such because a group of explorers in 1947 drifted a raft called Kon-Tiki some 4,300 miles from Peru and landed here). We are still anchored here as it is too beautiful to leave yet.

We went for a dive with eleven other divers last Monday. To do this we left the Kon-Tiki anchorage on 'Tactical Directions' in company with three other catamarans and travelled back to the pass then launched four dinghies full of divers and waited for slack water followed by the incoming tide. When the time was right we descended into an amphitheatre and did a drift dive through a number of raveens and then out into a magnificent coral garden mostly white and yellow in colour. There were many colourful fish and we saw half a dozen harmless sharks. It was a good dive and we may go back and do the coral garden again at a more leisurely pace. The four dinghies picked us up at the end making the drift dive possible as we had covered quite a distance.

PARTY TIME
We had a pot luck dinner on the beach on Tuesday night with everyone from the anchorage. We had three Australian boats, three Austrian and one Dutch boat. Andrew says it sounds like the beginning of a joke - three Australians, three Austrians and one Dutchman went to the Bar" but this time we all gathered for drinks at sunset. We had a big fire going for cooking and one chap played his guitar and we had a sing along. It was a good night and only came to an end when a rain squall came over and we all scurried back to our boats.

Yesterday in company with 'Tactical' and crew we dinghied down to a pearl farm. The development of the cultured black pearl is the primary resource in the Territory after tourism. The local people are very welcoming and allow the cruisers to walk through the shed and see the process. This particular farm harvests the oysters and impregnate them.
They are then placed back in the water and tended for twelve months until the pearl has been formed. This, probably not unlike the gold or diamond mines, is definitely the unattractive side of the sparkling jewellery industry.

SO WHAT'S NEXT

Tony and crew on 'Tactical Directions' left this morning and so now we can slow down a bit. We are quite happy to stay here as we are not in a hurry and there are a few more anchoring spots within the lagoon. The boat hasn't been this still since we left the Panama Canal and so we are just enjoying life to the full. We will post photos when next we have internet access.

Love Candy xx

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2-2016 Still here in Nuku Hiva

Hi from Clare,                                                                        Friday 10^th June 2016

WHY MAKE PLANS

So things don't always turn out the way we plan. Last Sunday we left Nuku Hiva and foolishly I waved good-bye commenting that I would never see the island again – ha ha.

We sailed twenty five miles to the island of Ua-poa. The weather was perfect, the water 28 degrees and crystal clear. The island is very mountainous and is a favourite for rock climbers. From a distance some of the pinnacles look like big chimneys on the mountain; rather spectacular. We anchored in a lovely bay and intended staying there until the weather was right to sail to the Tuamotus. We had both manta-rays and dolphins swimming by the boat. However after two peaceful days we found ourselves heading back to Huku Hiva. Andrew had grazed his shin some five days earlier and whilst at Ua-poa his leg became very inflamed, swelled up and his temperature rose to 38.2 degrees. He wasn't feeling too well and so back to Nuku Hiva and a visit to the hospital.

The Dr said these tropical infection are very common with the Cruising Community, and prescribed a course of antibiotics and the necessary disinfectants to treat the wound; Andrew is now feeling much better.

A FEW PROBLEMS

Our water maker is only producing half as many litres per hour than it should. So Andrew has pulled it apart twice now searching for the problem. It is not the easiest piece of equipment to get to as it is installed behind the engine. So he has been head down and tail up for a couple of days and at the moment the water maker is in pieces on the dining table.

We are both hoping he has found the problem. Fortunately it has rained every day and so the water tanks are full.

Andrew with all the 'O' rings

PS the watermaker is now in full production! WOOHOO

Another problem we encountered was that the engine wouldn't start. One of the earth connections had come off. It took a bit of finding but at the time we were in calm water and not at any risk. The alternator regulator that controls the amount of power going into the batteries has died. This could have been a real problem but Tony on Tactical Directions had a spare and was happy for us to have it as Andrew has helped Tony on his boat on numerous occasions.

I LOST MY SOLE

We were busy cleaning up the boat and somehow we managed to throw out my new Orthaheel thongs. This was a loss but not to worry I still had my Teva rubber sandals, an essential piece of kit for a yachtie. Although both soles were loose, I was running out of options and so I wore them shopping in the pouring rain. The ground was muddy and one sandal was flicking mud up the back of me. By the time I left the supermarket It was nearly fully off so I removed it and put it in my bag. When I was half way home I realised that I had lost the other sole. I retraced my steps but could not find it; now I was in real trouble. The following day, wearing the last pair of shoes I have on the boat, I went for a walk with friends. It started to rain and so we ducked for cover under the verandah of the supermarket. Low and behold there was the sole to my sandal right out the front of the supermarket. I guess I didn't find it the day before as there would have been a car parked there. I am one happy person and my sandals have been washed and waiting for repair so I can continue on my merry way. Of course I had all these really helpful suggestions like making a pair of sandals out of and old car tyre, but I didn't jump at that.

Kevin, the local Yacht Agent, and Andrew at Happy Hour

SO WHAT'S NEXT

Tonight Tony on Tactical and his crew Garry and his partner Karen are coming here for drinks. Today is probably the nicest day we have had for a while so hopefully it won't rain. We are waiting for the right weather to head for the Tuamotus. At present there is a big swell coming from south of Tahiti so we will wait for that to abate.

Love Candy xx