16:30S 149:49W
Meryon.bridges
Sun 23 May 2010 04:30
Society Islands, Cook's Bay, Moorea
Moorea is an island just 10 miles from Tahiti and we are currently moored up
a creek which was the centre of a volcano a little whiule ago. So we have
craggy mountain peaks on 3 sides and the pass through a reef which surrounds
the island on the other. This morning we have been snorkelling about half a
mile from the anchorage over wonderful corals and splendid fishes. Meryon
has also brought an oyster for lunch which he is dreaming has also a green
pearl inside!
The 2 and a night sail from Tikehau was upwind and a bit uncomfortable and
we started off in a good breeze going too fast for the schedule. The wind
then deserted us overnight so we motored slowly in a swell to Papeete where
we arrived on Wed at 0630. Papeete was celebrating 120 years of local
governance with a week programme of events such as dancing of all sorts from
rap to traditional, choral singing and lots of sports too. The most
spectacular were the Polynesian dancing complete with grass skirts and
wonderful headresses and a relay race around the town square by teams
carrying yokes with huge bunches of fresh fruit at each end. We presumed
these were weighed in as some were bananas, some coconuts or pineapples with
lighted tapers at each end. All very spectacular running barefoot in their
colourful sarongs and garlands around their heads. The ladies had a race
too. Papeete has a daily market with fruit, veg, fish, clothing and tourist
ornaments etc which was very colourful and busy. In the evenings we ate at
the 'roulottes' which are mobile food stalls offering anything from chinese,
hog roast to crepes. This was also busy and colourful and we enjoyed
watching the cook working flat out at his wok.
While we were moored in the port, there was a visit by 5 wakas which are
large traditional styled sailing canoes. These had been built by a European
sponsor in NZ and loaned to the various Polynesian communities American
Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, NZ and Tahiti. The object was to promote
preservation of the oceans, especially the effects of manmade noise on
marine life. Their departure to the next islands coincided with sunset and
much chanting and blowing of conche shells.
After fuelling up hopefully to last Ares until Australia, we sailed here to
Moorea yesterday and are moored amongst about 11 Blue Water Rally yachts who
are taking 2 years to sail around the world meeting from time to time for a
get together. We think that they are leaving today so we will be left to
ourselves for tonight in this idyllic spot.