I don’t think there are enough superlatives to describe the small atoll of Amanu, which so aptly fits the description of a South Pacific paradise. This is an absolute gem and we feel lucky to have been ‘stranded’ here whilst awaiting favourable winds to get us to the Gambier Islands. We have been here for …
Slow boat to Amanu As I write this we are dawdling along in very little wind, with mainsail & jib wing on wing, (ie on opposite sides) doing about 3 knots. Such a contrast to the strong winds we experienced in Makemo, where we tucked in as much as we could off the village to …
It was clear that after our haul out, with 2 nice clean hulls devoid of aquatic flora, that our speed through the water had significantly increased. Even just motoring around the lagoon we noted at least a 1 knot increase in speed for the same revs. So now that this factor has been eliminated, we’ll …
After Edward & Alicia departed we felt a little flat – I guess it just highlighted our isolation from all our family at the moment & we miss them all. Certainly a different experience with just Bill & I than the partially controlled mayhem that accompanied our circumnavigation with 3 kids 18 years or so …
It was fabulous to have our oldest son, Edward & his fiancée, Alicia visit and stay with us for just over 2 weeks. We hadn’t seen them since we left in April, so it was so good to catch up & share all our respective news. Not the least of which included details of ‘the …
It has been just over a month since I returned from Italy. I went there to celebrate the marriage of my niece, Rachel to Ben. It was a joyous occasion full of much love, support & affection for a wonderful couple, who are both thoroughly gorgeous human beings. They deserve each other. It was also …
Compared to Papeete, Uturoa the capital of Raiatea, seemed very small, but it appeared to have all that we required. We were greeted by a patisserie full of sumptuous pastries & a choice of 3 supermarkets & an undercover produce market from which to purchase supplies. There are also some quite decent artisan outlets offering …
After our wonderful experiences in Huahine, I wasn’t quite sure how Raiatea & Taha’a would stack up, but they haven’t disappointed! After a great 20nm downwind sail from Huahine, we entered through Pass Iriru or Maire & headed into Faaroa Bay – a deep bay into which 2 small rivers flow. One of them, Apoomau …
After a couple of week’s sojourn in England catching up with my close family, as well as a few brilliant days in beautiful Bruges with Wil, I returned to Tahiti to find that Bill had accomplished a myriad of boat chores in my absence. I must say historically this has always been the case – …
As always, we really enjoyed our time in some of our favourite anchorages in Moorea – it is such a special place. Bill & I have had some wonderful encounters: Whilst snorkeling, being surrounded by literally hundreds of yellow & black damsel fish swirling in a yellow cloud around us At nighttime, shining a spotlight …