Posting from Bora Bora

Mikado
Thu 16 Jul 2009 02:32
Hi Lynne - I Hope the photos attached OK

Cheers
Ian

Posting from Bora Bora
Wed 15 July 2009
Greetings all from the wonderful island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia.
We are currently moored off the Bora Bora Yacht Club and have been here
for 5 days enjoying the local dancing competitions (Heiva) and celebrating
Bastille Day here as well.
We have now spent almost 2 months in French Polynesia and have thoroughly
enjoyed our time here. Each of the island groups, The Marquesas, The
Tuamotas and now the Society Islands are quite different and have a unique
charm that is addictive. Nowhere has this been more profound than in
Manihi where we enjoyed a fantastic 11 days spearfishing, pearl-farming
(read pearl-buying for Jenny), touring the atoll and enjoying the local
hospitality : due mainly to the efforts of Fernando, a local entrepreneur
who took us ‘under his wing’ to make sure we had a good time. In fact, our
stay at Manihi would have to be “the highlight” of our trip thus far.
Our arrival in Papeete 4 weeks ago was a welcome return to civilisation
where we once again enjoyed the hustle and bustle of city life : cars
screaming past, sirens into the night, loud music and crowded markets. The
last time we experienced this was in Panama City in late March. We moored
off the quay in the middle of town with a number of the ‘usual suspects’
and, after a quick reconnaissance, found the local bars, restaurants and
cafes. We were able to sort out some yacht maintenance issues, restock
our supplies and explore the local sights. Together with Gordon and Anne
off Equinox, we hired a minivan and toured the island finding amongst
other things Teahupoo where they hold the annual Billabong Surf Classic.
Nick was really impressed.

NICK AT TEAHUPOO


SOMEWHERE IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

DANCES IN BORA-BORA (“HEIVA”)
We participated in the “Tahiti – Moorea Rendezvous” which is an annual
yachting event with about 60 yachts taking part in the short cruise (race)
to Moorea and then 2 days of beach activities including canoe races,
dancing, coconut husking and rock lifting. (I am pleased to advise that
the “Aussie Blokes” team took out first prize).
From Moorea we sailed in company with yachts Hilde, Blues, Orono 1 and
TRex to the island of Hauhine where we spent a few days swimming,
snorkelling and socialising with the other yachts. The guys off Orono 1
caught a whopping 40kg Trevally, so they invited a few of the crews aboard
their lovely 49 foot Privilege catamaran for a BBQ dinner.
After a few days at Hauhine, we sailed for Raiatea; a short 25 NM trip
where we explored the local village and then motored up to neighbouring
Tahaa. Here we found a some nice moorings off the local yacht club and
enjoyed a beautiful dinner and dance show at the club which they hold
every Tuesday night. The next day we went in search of one of the local
snorkelling sites that is meant to be one of the best in the world : we
were given some directions from the yacht club and tried about 3 spots.
Very nice, but we don’t think we found the spot they were talking about.
We celebrated my birthday with the crew and friends from Hilde and Blues
at a local restaurant in Tahaa called “Chez Louise”; run by an eccentric
local in a beautiful little bay on the north side of the island. We moored
the 3 yachts stern-to a rickety old jetty and enjoyed a fabulous dinner of
fish on the large patio outside where you could see the impressive
mountain of Bora Bora in the sunset. After a late start the next morning
(I’m not sure whether it was the rum or the red wine?) we headed across to
Bora Bora where we caught up with the crews from a few yachts we hadn’t
seen for a while.
We are currently doing a scuba diving course here and touring the local
sights. Depending on the weather, we will probably head to Rarotonga in
the Cook Islands on the weekend – about a 530 NM trip.

ANOTHER SUNSET
NICK’S DORADO

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Til next time..
Ian, Jenny, Nick and Georgina
S/Y Mikado

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