14.58.076S 147.38.210W
Ayesha II
Sun 4 Jun 2017 18:52
Greetings from Rangiroa!
We came here after the atoll of Ahe which was very different in that the village was very poor, dying really as the youngsters move out to the main city of Papeete on Tahiti, still delightfully friendly people but they did not seem to be benefiting from working where it is reputed the finest quality pearls are grown and we saw our first evidence of Chinese workers.
It was an 80 mile trip overnight from there, no wind so engine the whole way and trying not to go to fast (but also not too slow as this VW Cummins does not appreciate a long time at low revs) to get to this atoll at dawn. Spectacular entrance, a narrowish channel with overfalls everywhere, 4 knots of tide against us AND an escort of dolphins, because of previous strong SE winds the tides are all over the place as apparently effectively the winds have pushed so much sea into the atolls there is almost a permanent outflow of water.
Here is much more commercialised (you can even get fresh vegetables!!) which quite frankly is what we all need after a few close together overnight passages with a 36 hour one to come next Tuesday when we set off for Tahiti. We are snorkeling off the yacht, Josh and Henry are off snorkeling/diving with professionals, we are all going to a buffet with traditional singing and dancing tonight and hiring bycycles tomorrow (route just happens to go past a pearl farm!). Water here is the most amazing turquoise and over 30 degrees C warm.
Will post some pictures shortly.
Team Ayesha
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