[password] pilot25041
[position] 16 30.5s 151 45.6w
[status] Tuesday ..... and we're now in Bora Bora ........ the weather stayed fair and we had the best sail since we departed Auckland some 8weeks ago, arriving off Bora Bora at 10pm on Saturday evening (some 32hrs after departing Rangiroa) and cracking open a cold beer at midnight once safely anchored outside the Bora Bora Yacht Club ....... the ladies were extremely happy!!
Sunday morning was a slow start but came with the added bonus that a number of yachts left early so we could pick up a buoy and not be anchored in 26m, we ventured ashore and then walked 25mins to the 'main town' Vaitape, unfortunately virtually everything was closed, but we did manage to get some fresh baguettes from the 'Chinese' run supermarket. Back to the yacht club for a late lunch ...... & a few beers, followed by an afternoon nap ...... this cruising life is really hard!!
Monday and with the shops /facilities now open we again ventured ashore, this time taking a taxi to Vaitape, with the intention of hiring a car for the day to explore ........ 120US$ for a day +fuel was considered rather steep, and as the taxi driver had offered us a 2hr island tour in his air conditioned minibus for 150, that was the option we took. A very interesting time was had by all, including seeing land crabs and visiting a local artisan workshop where they dye and make the pareos, which FP is known for. We had lunch in a cafe and then after a relaxing afternoon went ashore for Steve's last supper, as he was leaving us today. The dinner in the Bora Bora Yacht Club was absolutely outstanding and we would highly recommend their facilities to any other visiting yachts people!
Tuesday, a leisurely start and then Barry took Steve down to the Vaitape port in the dinghy to pick up the airport shuttle ferry, which is a free ride out to the airport located on one of the 'motus'. Barry also had a failed attempt to get a haircut ..... much needed after 9 weeks since his previous trim, anyhow the barber shop was busy and a 1hr+ wait was not an option. Back to the boat and the skipper was keen that we moved to a different anchorage, so after untangling the mooring buoy, the boat had spent the first 24hrs going round in circles, we did a tour of the bay outside Vaitape and then motored out to the far side of a motu and dropped our anchor in 3m of crystal clear water!
An afternoon swimming and doing some boat jobs, the starboard trampoline needed some help as the stitching is showing some signs of fatigue, was followed by a cold beer accompanied by a beautiful sunset. A chilli con carne is on the menu shortly!
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