Hi from sunny Tahiti
After the roughest crossing to date we are now relaxing in the sunshine at Moorea just off Tahiti.
We checked 3 weather forecasts, all telling the same story, so set off from Rangiroa in the Tuamotus expecting a pleasant sail. Not to be! As the crew constantly reminded me 'it was uncomfortable but never dangerous'. Katie found it exhilerating - I do worry about her sometimes!! The wind generator nearly spun itself out, it got so excited. Not a passage I want to repeat in a hurry.
When we last wrote we were heading to the Tuamotus. They were absolutely ideallic- palm tree atolls surrounded in reefs. We felt like we had arrived in paradise. It was lovely to be able to again swim and snorkel off the back of the boat in crystal clear water. We anchored off a posh hotel where the accommodation was in the form of individual huts that overhung the water. Each one had it's own ladder down into the lagoon- very flash!!! We couldn't even afford to have a drink at their bar.
The Tuamotus are where the famous black pearls are cultured. The crew on Archangel were lucky enough to meet a local who swapped 5 pearls for a bottle of whisky that had cost them $5 in Central America!! Shop value -probably US $500. We didn't get to meet this local so consequently I am not coming home sporting new black pearl jewellery.
We tried out a new sport - drift snorkelling. Rangiroa, where we were, had a channel for entering the lagoon . On an incoming tide we could take the dinghy out through the channel and then jump out at the channel entrance ( along with other tourists who had paid $100 for the privilege). The current push you in over the reef, through clear water where 100's of fish flashed before your eyes. It was amazing.
Daryl kept hold of the dinghy as we drifted so we could hop back in and do it again. Getting in the water at different points sent you in different directions. We saw little fish, big fish, sharks, manta rays and turtles to name just a few. I think that they were the most amazing snorkels I've ever had. The dolphins there are the largest we have seen so far.
After arriving in Tahiti we have had a few days in Papeete getting supplies, maintenance etc. We were surprised at how large the city was. We hired a car for a day and did an island tour. The scenery was spectacular, especially the waterfalls.
We were, however, pleased to get out of the city and over to Moorea. The time here has been full of activity - swimming, diving, snorkelling and the proverbial walk to the ruins. This morning we saw a huge shark cruising the reef. Even from my snorkelling position on the surface I got a good view. Katie has a fabulous camera that has an underwater case, so we have been able to get some good diving shots.
Tomorrow we are dinghying up to swim with stingrays. Apparently the sting ray are extremely friendly and swim all around you- not being afraid to touch you wrap themselves around you and slobber on you. I am considering finding Daryl's full wetsuit to wear.
Roger has only two more nights before he flies back to the UK. We will miss him and his skills. He is cooking us Confit de Canard for dinner (duck for those with rusty French). We are taking advantage of being once more on a French island. The 'Carrefour' supermarket in Papeete was huge and full of French goodies for us to feast on.
We will soon be looking for a weather window to sail from here to Rarotonga where we will be leaving the boat in the capable hands of Katie (and Debs from Archangel) and we will fly home for 10 days.
Sorry to those who aren't coping with the NZ winter, but we are having our fill of sea and sunshine and don't seem to tire of it.
Au Revoir from The Cool Bananas Crew.
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