Huahine to Tahaa

July 5, 2013:

We left Huahine for Tahaa (just north of Raiatea) around 8:00am. It’s a run of about 40 nm but only 20 nm outside the reef and in the open ocean. We left today as the winds are predicted to be 15-22 kts pretty much behind us and the seas in the 5-9′ range pretty much on our beam. And, that is what we got. But, with our non-leaking stabilizers we turned up the sensitivity a notch and the ride is not too bad!!!! The weather after today for the next few days is predicted to be in the 20-25G30 kt range and 7-12′ seas….no thanks!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay on Huahine…..what another gorgeous French Polynesia island. It probably had the best waters we have seen since the Bahamas…..all shades of blue/turquoise from light to dark shades…..just stunning…..we would sit on the Flybridge and ooh/ahh looking at the waters. We were anchored in the SW corner of Huahine behind the reef and watched the waves pound on the outside reef…..we also enjoyed the company of several boats we have met along the way. We did an island tour with s/v Persephone and their guests/friends that was another excellent experience. The views were breathtaking…..Kathy will post some pics whenever we get decent internet which might be in 5-6 days. We went to an archeological sight of maraes…..flat rock structures where the priests and kings/chiefs gathered for religious ceremonies or meetings…..there were maybe 20-30 of these rock platforms….some had small vertical rocks used for backrests and some had higher rocks used for the sacrifices…..this sight was estimated to be 800-1000 years old…whoa!!! We also saw fresh water blue eyed eels…..kind of prehistoric looking but interesting nevertheless….toured a vanilla farm, saw fish traps constructed of rocks that led fish into a rock enclosure where the fisherman used nets to catch the fish (these were about 500-800 years old and still being used) and completely circled both islands. Our guide was named Poe – she has lived on the island all her life and gave us a great history lesson of Polynesia and what has happened since the white man invasion over the last 250 years or so……a very similar story to the North American natives.

We made the crossing just fine and went about 10 miles around the north side of Tahaa and then it became interesting trying to find an anchorage. We were heading to Tehoto motu, an idyllic spot off the outside reef, but it was not quite far enough around the island and we still had 20-25 kt winds and 1-2′ wind chop so decided to go to anchor spot #2, Coral Gardens. Well, no luck there either….another beautiful spot with a view of Bora Bora, but the anchorage again was very windy with just a narrow sliver to anchor over coral…..the channel is about 80′ and rises quickly to 30′, but then quickly gets to 1’…..again, we said no thanks, so we came across the channel to Baie Tapaumau…..a cute, little bay that has a village and some homes around the edge, an ok view of Bora Bora and INTERNET…..so, dropped the anchor and opened up the passage beer…..then the drums began….this is Heiva season and many villages are practicing for the competition…..they are really good……no need for music tonight!!!!

We will be in this area for the next 3-5 days then make our way to Bora Bora!!

Boat Stuff:
Greg at Northwest Yachts shipped our parts for the Hynautic Tank and we hope to receive them late next week in Bora Bora. The controls are still doing fine although a little spongy. The tank does not leak while not in use but did leak some while using the controls today. AND, another boat that is crossing the Pacific emailed us with the exact same issue. But, they had a new tank made while in Papeete which was a smart thing to do!!

Stats:
Position: 16 37 014S 151 32 752W
Traveled: 42.6nm today
Course: 268M HDG
Wind: 15-22 kts SE-ESE
Waves: SSW 5-9′ swell; 10 sec period; <3-4′ wind chop…turned the stabs up and had an ok ride
Speed: avg 7.7 kts SOG; 1600 RPM
Weather: 100% cloud cover, mist/rain in the anchorage; gray day; sea temp 81.3 deg F
Boat sightings: lot’s; we are in a popular cruiser and charter area
Fishing: no:(((((
Sail: not up