Moorea and the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia's Society Islands.
Catacaos
Graham Shaw
Tue 9 Aug 2011 19:05
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Firstly, let me suggest caution for those
of delicate sensibilities, and for any young persons reading, parental
guidance may be required, before getting to the end of the pictures in this
blog.
After Tahiti we headed some 15 miles across to the
island of Moorea. Together, Tahiti and Moorea form the principal islands
in the windward group of the Society Islands
 Above, Oponohu Bay on the island of Moorea.
This is where the fourth (1984) version (Mel Gibson / Anthony Hopkins) of
the Mutiny on the Bounty story was filmed. The 1935 second
version (which popularly is believed to be the first) starring Clark
Gable and Charles Laughton was actually filmed in California - how cheap is
that?! The first (almost unknown) version was apparently Errol Flynn's
first movie role.
Next to Oponohu is Cooks Bay, named after
Captain Cook, who landed here many years previously. Even before Errol
Flynn.
 We hiked up to Belvedere - one of the highest
points in Moorea with the crew of Evita. This bit on the road is as steep
as it looks!
 At the top.
 Ruins at Moorea: this was an archery practice
and competition ground.
 Leaving Moorea heading off towards Raiatea, some
110 miles away in the leeward group of the Society Islands.
 In Raiatea Catacaos was haauled out of the water
for antifouling paint and a couple of other jobs underneath. Facilities
here are a bit more basic than we are used to - the yellow structure seen
above is positioned under the boat by the two guys in the water, and then the
whole affair is dragged out by a tractor. (Massey Ferguson 435, for any tractor
spotters reading. A red tractor, for anybody else)
   Above, the view from the boatyard. The island
in the distance is Bora Bora.
 After pressure washing and sanding, two coats of
epoxy primer were applied.
 Then two coats of antifouling paint, and Catacaos
is ready to go back in the water.
 A nice clean bottom will make all the
difference
The very next day was Lorraine's birthday.
Lucas helped Daddy make the world famous chocolate fudge pudding by way of
birthday cake. I won't disclose here how old Lorraine is
now.
  Lucas helping Mummy blow out the
candle.
 Twenty-odd miles further on, and we are now in Bora
Bora. The colours in the water are stunning - here a boat seen just
outside the reef. All the islands in the Societies are high volcanic
islands surrounded by atoll type barrier reefs with only narrow passes in them,
which give access into the lagoons. On the outside it can be quite rough
if the weather is bad, but once through the pass it is generally like the
proverbial millpond.
 Bora Bora has a number of exclusive resorts, as
above.
  Lorraine climbed up to one of the highest peaks in
Bora Bora with some other yachties, Ken from Cosimo, Gail from Ri Ri and Gerry
from Challenger:
 Ken (left, above) is a fascinating character.
He is from Launceston in Tasmania, and is Australia's fastest single handed
circumnavigator - a journey which he made in 2006/07. The tale is
recounted in his book "One Man's Journey", which so far is a gripping
read. Check www.kengourlay.net for
details if interested. Ken is now taking a much more sedately trip with
his wife Wendy aboard their Bavaria 46 cruising boat.
The view from the top:`
 One day we took a ride on the free ferry which goes
to the airport, on a motu (small island) in the northern part of the
lagoon:
  On the ferry. Lorraine is chatting to Annie
and her son Ken, who are sailing home to Australia on their boat,
Sunburnt.
  One of the many tikis in Polynesia:
  Lucas not wanting to have his picture taken next to
this modern fibreglass pirogue:
  We made a brief visit to another pearl farm.
The lady on the left here had just dived for an oyster on the farm, and it is
just being opened, to reveal her new pearl:
 Lucas not wanting to have his picture taken with
Catacaos in the background:
 Lucas being made to have his picture
taken:
 That's better:
 This is the world famous Bloody Mary's
restaurant. The rich and famous come from all over to eat here. And
us as well.
   Below is the exciting hand basin in the mensroom at
Bloody Mary's. The water is activated by pulling on the chain like an
old-fashioned toilet flush:
 Below, the actual toilet flush chain at Bloody
Mary's:
 On that note, we'll sign off for this blog.
Tomorrow we leave French Polynesia (after two and a half months here) for the
Cook Islands. First stop Aitutaki, 485 nautical miles
away......
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