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 – Bill seems to achieve so much in my absence. Can’t quite imagine why? Notwithstanding the reason, Mowzel Cat was looking especially clean & tidy. Not only that, both engines were now working, (one with the long awaited heat exchanger), new batteries had been installed, the water pump replaced, galley cupboards repainted, gas alarm fitted & loads of other tasks all of which, improve the safety or liveability of the boat.
Of course my suitcase came back more than twice its original weight with several essential boat parts – including new toilet seats! I know that sounds bizarre but you can’t buy them in French Polynesia & they really do spruce up the heads which now have been completely refurbished & bear little resemblance to their original state!
So – finally time for travelling further afield, with our initial plans to visit the Leeward Islands. This is a group of several islands including Huahine, Raiatea, Tasha, Bora Bora & Maupiti, (& a couple of other little ones). We had visited most of these islands when we sailed through French Polynesia on Vagabond Heart with our family in 2009, but we didn’t have time to do these beautiful destinations justice as we were on a bit of a time schedule. So now is the opportunity for us to really spend some time travelling through these places.
Prior to leaving, the Heiva was on in Tahiti – a yearly celebration of Polynesian culture, particularly with music, dancing & competitive sport. We attended a nearby festival to experience the atmosphere and witness some ‘traditional’ sports which included a race to dehusk coconuts, traditional wrestling, throwing spears at a coconut elevated on a tall pole & lifting mammoth rocks as well as some captivating music & dancing. All great fun with a general feeling of good humour & bonhomie. As I have said before, the Polynesians know how to have a good time!
As a postscript….
Now arrived in Huahine after a 16hr overnight passage from Moorea. It was a 90nm romp downwind in a clear moonlit night with a very modest rig – almost a perfect sail except for an incredibly confused sea with reasonable swell which at times, made for quite an uncomfortable ride. Fortunately neither of us got seasick, but it was certainly a new experience getting used to the motion of a catamaran in an erratic sea state.
Anyway, more news of Huahine to follow……