Farewell Polynesia
Before leaving Polynesia next September we return to Tahiti and raiatea which will be our starting point to New Zealand.
Tahiti – July 2019
No more quiet anchorages of the Tuamotu, here we are back on Punaauia where we make a lightning passage,
time to refuel (2 Shopping carts) at "Carrefour" for our next big sailing.
We meet Daniel at the marina of Arue and the next day we have lunch with Nirvana and Philippe (Heiva soap factory of Tahiti) at Taina Marina. One last visit to friends boats then we raise anchor with Daniel and his son Toareva on board in the direction of Raiatea at 145miles.
Raiatea
After all these successive lunches on Tahiti, it's time to burn some calories! Daniel makes us discover a beautiful hike
to Mount Tapioi. The “climb" worth it the view is superb! Uturoa the village below, the lagoon and the island of Taha'a famous for its black vanilla plantations.
Anchorage in 3m of profodeur towards the artificial motu facing the reef. We have some "regulars" under the boat : a blacktip shark and a etrodon.
Philip the (Papuans) who is already at anchor joins us on Tao with Didier to celebrate our reunion as it should be!
The lagoon of Miri Miri south of Raiatea is very vast. We don't stay there long, following successive attacks by local residents who make their own law by prohibiting boats from anchoring in the lagoon. We file complaints several times with photos and films in support. A judgment was rendered without prosecution for our aggressors yet identified ...
We change places and now use our bikes to see Jane and Marc. On the way back, we pedal slower after the delicious lunches we share with their friends and neighbors Claude and Georges.
The traditional heIVA festivals take place in July throughout Polynesia.
This is an opportunity to learn how to make sandals and hats. These are the last festivities we attend before our final departure from Polynesia.
There is a good weather window in a few days, so we rush to perform the administrative tasks, full of Gas-oil, The last shopping and the formalities of leaving the gendarmerie. The 02 September 2019 we leave Raiatea at dawn heading west towards "Beveridge Reef"” a semi-submerged atoll in the middle of the ocean.
Our most beautiful encounters in Polynesia, faces we will never forget for sharing such good times!