Navigating Tahiti has been different then the other islands we have visited because the lagoon is not continuous. We need to travel out of one lagoon to the open ocean to get to the next lagoon. As we traveled the south coast of Tahiti we found a lovely anchorage near the Jardin Botanique Horaire. This anchorage was supposed to be a short stop to see the Gauguin Museum and the gardens, but we really enjoyed this little oasis. We didn’t have an Internet connection, but we were too busy putting up our Christmas lights, exploring the gardens, and enjoying the black sand beach in the park.
We are both Christmas people, and we both love to celebrate the joy and cheer of the holidays. We had gone back and forth do we put up lights or do we not. We really plan to leave Tahiti before Christmas, but we have been moving so slow around each island we visit we might not leave before Christmas. Additionally, there are a few things we want to do before leaving Tahiti and we haven’t found a good weather window. Anchored in this beautiful remote location we decided to dig out our Christmas lights we expertly buried deep in the boat. Our Christmas tree is composed of twelve 50-foot strands of colored lights, with a white star on top. Leading to the star is a candy cane stripe wrapping the mast and one hundred feet of blue rope lights trace the top lifeline. A few minutes after sunset we turned them on and played holiday music. Not five minutes later a kayaker was outside of our boat asking to take pictures. We’re not sure how many people got a chance to see the lights because we are far enough away from anything, but we hope they enjoyed them as much as we do.
Tired after hanging the lights we decided to have a fun day and tried to find the Gauguin Museum, but sadly we found that it was closed in 2013. We have decided that are 2009 Lonely Planet guide is getting a little outdated. As we walked around we found the entrance to the Jardin Botanique Horaire and paid the $13 US to walk the gardens. We also learned that Jardin Botanique is one of many other gardens and there is a map around Tahiti and Moorea to discover other beautiful gardens. We were very impressed with the small forest and water features that we asked the lady if we could leave and come back after lunch. Apparently our boat was anchored right in front of the gardens so we headed back packed a picnic and went back to the gardens. The day was lovely and cool from the mountain breeze.
The other wonderful spot at this anchorage is the black sand beach located near a large pavilion made of wood and palm leaves. We were amazed that you could stand waste deep water then dive in because the black sand beach just dropped off. The water was very cool and refreshing, as the days are beginning to get hotter.
Cheers!
Wade and Sara
