Our stay in Tahiti was very productive and with the help of our neighbour Adrian from Hungary we managed to solve the last of our problems we had onboard sense our crossing from Panama. After a couple of days of struggling we sorted out both our propeller problem and our starboard motor is now running at 100%.
I can’t say that Tahiti is my favourite spot in French Polynesia but if you want to get something done on the boat- this is the place you have to visit! You will find several machine-shops and a couple of marina stores in town. We even manage to find our self a diesel laboratory that could do a proper test of our diesel injectors- impressive!
We also took the opportunity to stock up our supplies with food, diesel and fuel during our stay in Papete. The supermarkets offers the same stuff as you would buy back home which was a nice feeling after spending so much time in remote areas. The only downside is that the price tags are on fire- a bag of potato chips will set you back about 8 USD.
Our new crew arrived to the boat a couple of nights ago. Onboard the boat we have Pia and lena from Sweden, Anjelica and Stephan from Germany/France and off course Katrin that has been sailing with us for while now.
After only 3 days on the sea together we have already seen some of mother natures most impressive creatures; Sharks, dolphins, ray´s, turtles and even a group of whales can now be ticked of the bucket-list.
On our approach to Huhahine we got a seriously big Mahi Mahi on our fishing rod. Just when we were about to finish the job the bloody hook we use to get the fish out of the water broke in to two peaces and we lost it!
Snakes in paradise
Not everything is great in Paradise though. During our stay on Moorea some ass-whole stole one of our fishing rods from the boat. This is actually the first time during our 2 years on the sea we get anything stolen. Even if it was the first time it still feels a bit “shitty”- I hope the thief will get stuck on the hock. Vera- our onboard guard dog is officially fired from the post as chief security officer and she will have a lot of cleaning duties in the kitchen from now on.
The plan
The following weeks we will explore a group of islands that together makes the Society Islands. The most famous of the Islands is probably Bora Bora but I have heard that the others also have a lot to offer. We are at this writing moment on anchor right outside a small beach on a island called Huahini.
Huahini reminds me a little bit of the Marquesis with its green hills but with a huge surrounding reef that protects it. The water is clear but far from spectacular – nothing like the Tuamotu’s!
Well- more to come
// Daniel
Hi, guys
wow, that sounds like a pretty awesome trip so far. All the way from Europe – that’s pretty impressive. Most outside sailors in French Polynesia come from nearby California or B.C.
We’ve just sailed the Leeward Island group of the Society Islands and also explored the Tuamotus. Though I love the water, there’s also so much to see on land. E.g., did you know that there are still world war II canons on Bora Bora, and that you can also find old religious sites? Or that you can dive for your own pearls there and also encounter manta rays while snorkeling?
Check out this website, where we give you an overview of the islands we visited, the posts we wrote about them, and great pictures: http://www.travelintense.com/eco-travel-destinations/french-polynesia
Keep on having fun,
Michaela