To Mopelia
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 6 Oct 2013 22:27
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To
Mopelia
 Up and ready for the off. Plan A: to try and get
into Mopelia and if the conditions are not right, Plan B: on to Aitutaki in the
Cook Islands. We had not thought to try Mopelia before, but, as it is directly
en route, why not. The morning was once again perfect for
the colour blue. We headed for the pass, today, looking so calm.
 A final look at perhaps the most stunning anchorage we have ever been in. Now busy
with weekenders.
 Kite surfing at
its best.
  Passing a red
marker that definitely doesn’t want bird visitors.
  What a boat
shed.
 We found out that this house (the only one on the right hand motu as you leave) is
owned by a French couple who have lived here for years. They have a TV and a
simple life.
 A cheery farewell from a local out
snorkeling.
 Lining up.
 
 Quite a nice pass
today.
   Not that nature didn’t give us a proper send off......
 An interesting view was looking back
at Windarra and Tribe over the other side of the
reef.
 Then watching a
wave break.
 Our last look
back at such a beautiful island.
 A gentle
sunset with peculiar winds from all over, motor sailing it is then.
 Our first look at
Mopelia, believe it or not there are coconut trees just visible on the
horizon.
 Up closer,
now time to find the entry.
History: Maupihaa Atoll was inhabited in very
ancient times by Polynesians; archaeological remains and fish hooks have been
found. The first European to arrive on Maupihaa, along with neighboring Fenua
Ura and Motu One, was Samuel Wallis in 1767. In 1917, the atoll was leased to a
Papeete company, with three employees making copra, collecting turtles, raising
pigs and chickens. It was later leased to another copra company and entirely
planted with coconut palms. The island is now known for the wreck of the SMS
Seeadler, just outside the pass – a must do snorkel.
 
 It was lovely to see a welcoming committee
 This chap looked almost shocked.
 
 Then his friends did a fly-by.
 The entry to line up with the white
posts. Going through got its own blog.
ALL IN ALL SO GOOD TO BE
HERE |