We decided to stay near Uturoa because we had the perfect anchorage to watch the Hawaiki Nui Canoe race from Huahine to Raiatea. We enjoyed Halloween with a couple of friends at Le Napoli a pizza restaurant. We took a $10 taxi ride by Taxi Warren Jr. (Vini 87 72 30 52 Tel: 40 66 15 99) to the restaurant, but learned that the owner would drive us back to the dinghy dock. Secretly we had our costumes stuffed in Sara’s purse, but sadly Raiatea does not celebrate Halloween. They do celebrate the day of the dead by placing flower arrangements their loved ones final resting place. Filling time before Hawaiki Nui, we had a couple of work days by doing laundry, boat cleaning, and reorganized our food supply. The Huahine grocery store is supposed to be better than Tahiti so we wanted to be prepared for our new provisions. Wade had a double ear infection and we didn’t want to get to far from the doctors. He did have a chance to snorkel, it was probably one of our best snorkeling areas.
When the outrigger canoes arrived from Huahine through the Teavapiti pass we had helicopters circling us and hundreds of boats surrounding the first place canoes. Afterwards the crowd passed so Sara launched Kalo to capture a few of the canoes and distant crowds near the pass.
This morning we woke to loud cheers and excitement as the Shell winners circled the pass near our boat and head to the next leg of the race around Taha’a. We had our fill of fun locals, roulettes, and Tahitian dancing last evening, so this morning we finally pulled up anchor and headed south while the Hawaiki Nui filled Raiatea, Taha’a, and prepared for Bora Bora.
Our new anchorage is enveloped by mountains. The ocean narrows into a river that we paddle boarded about a 1/2 mile until we could really go no further. The hibiscus trees flowed over the river like a canopy and fell to the water as we slowly made our way. We met Martin a young man who was so kind to help us navigate the waters and gave us a taste of a sweet plant that neither of us have ever seen or tasted and we look forward to sharing pictures when there is an internet connection available. Bora Bora appears to have been our last real connection with internet minus the Cubana’s short access while eating.
Wade’s ears are feeling much better and we plan to head even further south tomorrow, and Huahine on Saturday. We are still mystified because the watermelon, cantaloupe, two zucchini, sweet banana pepper, thyme, rosemary, cilantro, and Thai basil are not sprouting.
We listen to our new favorite SSB station 9580 around 8 am each day because they play ABC news at the top of the hour. We are both crossing our fingers for the election.
We miss you all and hope you are all doing well!
Cheers,
Wade and Sara
Position at noon: 16 degrees 49.112 minutes South and 151 degrees 24.990 minutes West
