17:28S 149:48W

 

For the past few days, while we’ve been anchored in Papeete, Moorea has been our beautiful backdrop.  Every morning we’d have breakfast and look longingly over at the spectacular sight of the jagged mountains rising into the blue sky.  By late afternoon Moorea was often swirling in mist making for stunning sunsets.  During our time in Papeete we raced around like mad things provisioning (oh the joy of Carrefour!), visiting the chandler, catching up with friends, internetting and preparing Bandit for visitors.  David’s daughter Charlotte and her husband flew in on Wednesday night so we hired a car to pick them up from the airport and used it to do a big provision – it’s sheer bliss to load groceries into a car instead of having to carry them back to the boat or, in the case of Carrefour, wheel them over bumpy pavements in an erratic trolley. 

 

We left Papeete yesterday after morning coffee (and croissants!) and had a rather uncomfortable sail over to Cook’s Bay in Moorea.  There’s been a lot of wind in the Tuamotos the past few days and it had pushed up a messy swell, exacerbated by being squeezed between islands.  The wind took a while to arrive but once it did it hit 20 knots and Bandit took off.   We anchored in Cook’s Bay and went snorkelling but it was disappointing to find the coral was bleached and dead and few fish.   The setting was, however, absolutely magical with jagged mountains and lush vegetation.

 

Last night we had drinks on board with Sara and Chris off Tulu then had crayfish pasta for dinner (compliments of Valentina in Toau).  This morning we woke to clear skies, turquoise waters and absolute calm.  A long swim before breakfast worked up a good appetite and we’re now ready to go and explore Moorea.