7 September 2024 – Tahiti
It was a good day as we woke. Quiet as a Saturday until the speed boats whizz past. We had a nice breakfast of fruit and yoghurt. I tried the mainsail and pulled it out and then put it back which was good. It is working. We then reconnected the main halyard to the tightening system. We tidied the ropes after a couple of days of use.
We headed off to the bus stop to go into Papeete as I wanted to but some Tahitian Music. Most people just download it but I wanted CD’s as we had failed with trying to get it from the waiters at the local restaurant. The bus came within a few minutes of arriving at the bus stop which was great. The bus ride was interesting as they were playing Tahitian music (which is what I wanted to get) and a lot of people were singing along to the sons so that was interesting. In addition, the bus was quite slow and stopped regularly and so you got to see more. The people and how they lived and reacted. There were lots of stalls selling fruit and vegetables and chestnuts etc. Many of the locals were dressed in Tahitian colourful clothing of dresses and shirts and they seemed happy and sang away.
We eventually got to the centre of Papeete and got off and went toward the market. The music shop (Michael Pedron Music) we had been recommended was closed which was annoying. We therefore wondered around and had a drink at a café. We pondered whether to buy some vegetables but at the end of the market there in front of us was another Michael Pedron music – which was open. We went in and there were CD’s and music from around the world. We had to wait a little for the Mr Pedron to serve other customers. When he came to us we explained that we wanted to but some good Tahitian Music – so he took us through the CD collection he had for Tahitian Music and he explained the options and differences etc. We therefore bought a small collection of CDs on his advice. Mission accomplished we hoped.
We then had to get a taxi back to Carrefour near the marina. The lady taxi driver was born in Tahiti and had lived in the US for 20 years before returning to look after her parents and took over her father’s taxi licence.
We provisioned in Carrefour and walked the trolley back to Stormbird. We packed everything away and then had a light lunch.
I set about washing the decks and trying to get rid of any grime including a good wash of the cockpit. This took some time and then I packed the lazarettes. We got up the dinghy and outboard on to the deck. Keith in the meantime prepared a lot of ratatouille which we froze. We prepared everything as much as we could.
I went to the marina office which was not open so I will have to go tomorrow to settle up. We went for a quick beer at the pub (Casa Blanca) and then Keith cooked steak with ratatouille and broccoli. During all this time we have been listening to the CD’s and tapping our feet and sort of singing along when we recognise something.
We are now ready to explore -just the two of us. The passage is about 150nm to Bora Bora – say about 24 hours depending on the weather which should be mostly downwind. Bora Bora here we come.
The picture of the day is the flower part of the market. They have fantastic flower collections here. Note the lady that has a white frangipani flower in her hair which is common here.
Crewing Opportunity Year Two
In year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. I will need some more crew.
If there is any interest do email me at hine.nick9@gmail.com
The blog will continue as we move through French Polynesia and beyond. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com