Tikehau
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Mon 3 May 2010 21:04
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15:06.509S 148:14.561W
Monday 3rd May
What a difference 52 miles
makes!!!!! Rangiroa and Tikehau couldn't be more different!
We set off at 07.30 this morning and timed
our exit through the pass perfectly as there was probably around 1 knot of tide
against us making the passage very controlled and smooth. We even had a jumping
Marlin putting on a show for us half way out and then when we were out in the
ocean we were surrounded by dolphins, it was beautiful. The rest of the trip
however was very very squally. At first we were amused as the squalls just
kept hitting Blue Magic and not us, this didn't last for long and soon we were
in for a dunking.
The entrance into Tikehau went quite
smoothly. We then followed buoys which marked out a channel through to the
main village of Tuherahera which has around 300 inhabitants, we are the
only boats here. Whilst anchoring we had a bit of hairy moment though! Paul had
motored around and around the anchorage checking it out so he chose his spot and
we began to drop the anchor. When I was almost done I heard him shouting to
get the anchor up quick. Whilst reversing back to lock the anchor in
place the depth had suddenly gone from 16 metres to 3 metres so we were
obviously very close to coral! Anyway, we re-anchored and it was fine although
we've got around 20 knots of wind blowing through the atoll
now so it's a bit bumpy, not sure how we'll sleep tonight!
 Following Blue Magic through
the pass
  To the left and to the
right - either way very shallow!
We've been ashore to check out what is
available and to familiarise ourselves with the place and we like what we see.
It is very clean and tidy with friendly locals who are more than happy to help
you, the atmosphere is great! As the guide book says "this is the place to live the Polynesian life and enjoy its particular
beat". Whilst taking a walk along a pink sand beach we met a lady who had given
me one of her baguettes earlier as the shop had sold out. Anyway, it turns out
that this lady runs a pension with a bar/restaurant so of course we had to pop
in for a beer or two and a chat to the lovely lady.
 The main street
  Two very different churches,
one is even al fresco
 Building a wall out of coconut
shells!
    Before we knew it it was dark and we had to
find our way back along the beach to the dinghys and then through the rough seas
back to the boat, it's all good fun!
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