Leg 6 - The Society Islands - August, 2004)
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Tahiti:
With Georgia arriving by air, we decided to park DreamWeaver for a few days at a
marina. Gary and AbbyGail rented a car and found a nice cottage for a couple of
days, while Georgia and I got re-acquainted at one of the lovely resorts in the area.
Papeete, the capital of the Society Islands, is by far the biggest city we have visited
since Panama, and we spent a couple of days just shopping and site-seeing.
Reprovisioned with fresh fruits and vegetables, and armed with an complete
education on the growth, development (and cost) of black pearls, we set sail for
Moorea.
With Georgia arriving by air, we decided to park DreamWeaver for a few days at a
marina. Gary and AbbyGail rented a car and found a nice cottage for a couple of
days, while Georgia and I got re-acquainted at one of the lovely resorts in the area.
Papeete, the capital of the Society Islands, is by far the biggest city we have visited
since Panama, and we spent a couple of days just shopping and site-seeing.
Reprovisioned with fresh fruits and vegetables, and armed with an complete
education on the growth, development (and cost) of black pearls, we set sail for
Moorea.
Moorea: (The island of Bali Hai)
Though Moorea is just a few miles away from Tahiti, it is a much more pristine
environment, and although it does have some large, fabulous resorts, much of the
island is relatively unaffected by modern development.
We anchored in one of its two huge bays, and spend several days touring the land
and the coral reefs. Fulfilling a life-long dream, Georgia took the time to swim with
the dolphins in a supervised, instructive environment...it was a terrific experience,
and certainly a highlight of the trip.
Though Moorea is just a few miles away from Tahiti, it is a much more pristine
environment, and although it does have some large, fabulous resorts, much of the
island is relatively unaffected by modern development.
We anchored in one of its two huge bays, and spend several days touring the land
and the coral reefs. Fulfilling a life-long dream, Georgia took the time to swim with
the dolphins in a supervised, instructive environment...it was a terrific experience,
and certainly a highlight of the trip.
Huahine:
After a comfortable overnight sail, we found a lovely anchorage near the south end
of Huahine, and once again Gary and AbbyGail hired a car and found an nice
bungaloo on the beach. Georgia and I went along for the land tour by car, but then
returned to DreamWeaver for some snorkeling, sailing and private time.
After a comfortable overnight sail, we found a lovely anchorage near the south end
of Huahine, and once again Gary and AbbyGail hired a car and found an nice
bungaloo on the beach. Georgia and I went along for the land tour by car, but then
returned to DreamWeaver for some snorkeling, sailing and private time.
Raiatea and Tahaa:
Just 20 miles west, we sailed into these combined atolls, and we spent a week in
land and water based touring. We took the dinghy as far as you can go up the
only navigable river on the island, spent a couple of days exploring and snorkeling
our own private motus, and ultimately sailed completely around both islands. On
Raiatea, Gary & AbbyGail found an over-water bungaloo to stay in, while Georgia
and I enjoyed a very private anchorage on the reef for a couple to days. The
ancient culture is well preserved in many places on these islands, as evidenced by
the many "marie" or ruins found scattered around.
Just 20 miles west, we sailed into these combined atolls, and we spent a week in
land and water based touring. We took the dinghy as far as you can go up the
only navigable river on the island, spent a couple of days exploring and snorkeling
our own private motus, and ultimately sailed completely around both islands. On
Raiatea, Gary & AbbyGail found an over-water bungaloo to stay in, while Georgia
and I enjoyed a very private anchorage on the reef for a couple to days. The
ancient culture is well preserved in many places on these islands, as evidenced by
the many "marie" or ruins found scattered around.
Bora-Bora:
Just a few hours away lay the last of the Society Islands we would visit, the famous
Bora Bora. Beautiful aqua marine water greeted us here, and four whales came
out to welcome us on arrival. We played with them for about an hour (even tried
swimming with them, but couldn't get quite close enough for a good underwater
picture). We couldn't help but be tempted by the resort atmosphere at some of
the very luxurious hotels. We had a great dinner at Bloody Mary's, and another
night had dinner and watched the Tahitian dancing at the Intercontinental. Gary
and AbbyGail spent their last nights together ashore at the lovely Maitai Beach
resort while Georgia and I enjoyed some romantic sunset dinners ashore and
onboard.
The girls boarded the plane in Bora Bora, prepared for the long flight via Papeete
to Los Angeles and then Atlanta. We hated to see them go, but were grateful for
the time we had together.
After a day of provisioning, we officially cleared out of French Polynesia, and set
sail for Samoa, with a brief interim stop planned on the small, sparsely inhabited
atoll of Suwarrow. After Samoa, we will go to Tonga, and then on to New Zealand
in November. Stay tuned.
Just a few hours away lay the last of the Society Islands we would visit, the famous
Bora Bora. Beautiful aqua marine water greeted us here, and four whales came
out to welcome us on arrival. We played with them for about an hour (even tried
swimming with them, but couldn't get quite close enough for a good underwater
picture). We couldn't help but be tempted by the resort atmosphere at some of
the very luxurious hotels. We had a great dinner at Bloody Mary's, and another
night had dinner and watched the Tahitian dancing at the Intercontinental. Gary
and AbbyGail spent their last nights together ashore at the lovely Maitai Beach
resort while Georgia and I enjoyed some romantic sunset dinners ashore and
onboard.
The girls boarded the plane in Bora Bora, prepared for the long flight via Papeete
to Los Angeles and then Atlanta. We hated to see them go, but were grateful for
the time we had together.
After a day of provisioning, we officially cleared out of French Polynesia, and set
sail for Samoa, with a brief interim stop planned on the small, sparsely inhabited
atoll of Suwarrow. After Samoa, we will go to Tonga, and then on to New Zealand
in November. Stay tuned.
| As always, just click on any picture for full size impression |
