To Haamene Bay
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Wed 11 Sep 2013 22:57
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To Haamene Bay, Tahaa Island  We left the deep anchorage of Apu
Bay to go eight miles further up the coast. The wind was a steady twenty
five knots but right on the nose.  We are nice and protected inside
the reef.   A little patrol boat went by. Bear
liked this tiny navigation buoy....a red
opposite.  Hawaikinui about her
deliveries.  A pearl farm, the sky threatening
rain.  All the coconut trees like inside out
umbrellas in the wind.  The entrance to Haamene
Bay.   To our left quite bright but the
rain had started to our
right.  Looking back out to
sea.  Heading into the next
cul-de-sac.  Passing little villages as a tiny ferry
passes us.  Approaching the second largest town on the island, (also named
the bay) - Haamene.  Ashore we look at Beez, looking
small and alone.   We spied a couple of Berger houses,
then went off in search of a bin, a shop and a tour
guide.  Bin tick, shops tick and outside one was the very tour truck
that Bear was after - Poerani Tours. Alan (Irie II) had said what a
good tour he had been on, so the skipper went in search of the driver. Asking
the shop owner by pointing at said truck, a giant of a man was called over,
sandwich looking like a crisp in his massive paws. All smiles and arrangements
made for eight thirty tomorrow morning. We asked if it was OK to leave Baby Beez
on the dock. “In the morning OK, but people come back in the afternoon from work
and will steal your fuel can.” What a shame, this is the first time we have been
warned about theft since arriving in French Polynesia. Chain on then. We have
been told to take more care on Bora Bora too, but, being so busy with tourists
one would expect to raise awareness there. Our new friend pointed to a street
where we would find a bigger supermarket and off we went. Bread found, Bear also
saw a watermelon and went in search of a price. Back he came, the lady wants eight dollars but can’t guarantee quality as it’s
been in the fridge for three weeks. Huh, had she said two I would
have taken it off her hands, but eight, she risks it staying put until it has to
be chucked........ On our way back to the quay, Bear insisted this van be called
a ‘One Careful Owner’. I disagreed as no foliage and very little rust, well I like it. Fair enough then.
 We got a bit wet returning to Beez,
but my brave captain sheltered me from the worst. Settled for a game of
backgammon we were well and truly entertained. A brand, spanking new, charter
catamaran came up close. Spotting the one charter buoy, man at wheel set forth.
Lady on board made an odd movement riding a broom – stay with me on that. Man
overshot buoy, move movement from broom. Broom settles on back, right step, man
attempts a close, by-pass. Broom half-heartedly waggled, circle once more. This
went on for twenty five minutes. No attempt to anchor and off they went into the
late afternoon, never to be seen again. Wind dropped, came back with vengeance
and rain began. Beer o’clock and Upword then.  Didn’t go so well for the skipper, who
at one point had five e’s and two o’s.
Ooops.
 Nothing for it but to placate him
with a cup of tea and a huge lump of lemon cake. We
had spotted these treats in the first shop we had popped into. Wrapped in cling
film, one pound fifty for a taste of light of pure naughtiness. Wonderful, but losing was harsh.
ALL IN ALL A VERY WINDY
DAY
WONDERFUL PLACE TO HIDE
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