PAPEETE TO OPUNOHU BAY, MOOREA

July 3, 2012

We left Quay de Yachts this morning at 0845 and motored through the channel to Marina Taina which is about 5 nm to the South.  This was only for a fueling stop.  We took on 35 gals of diesel and motored back through the Chenal de Faa'a channel to the main Pass de Papeete.  Once outside we set sail for Moorea.  The distance across the channel is only 10 nm but we had another 10 nm to Opunohu Bay.  The scenery in this bay is absolutely stunning: high mountains and a range of colors and hues that are constantly changing.  Most of the picture postcards feature the mountains found at the head of this bay.  We dropped anchor in 25' of water with a mud bottom.

In this bay we met up with  friends on a yacht called "Adventure Bound".  It's a Tayana 37' with Bruce Parsons and his wife Marcell aboard.  We first met them in the Holandes Cays in the San Blas Islands. At that time we had John Warner and his wife Karin Schupennies travelling with us.  We have maintained SSB radio contact with them since the Galapagos Islands.  Since we are going in the same direction with New Zealand as the goal for this year, we'll be meeting up with each other quite often.

On July 4th (Independence Day) Phyllis and I took up the old practice of hitchhiking into town.  Our first ride was just wonderful with three young Mooreans.  There were two men and a woman driving.  After getting into the car they lit up a "joint" and passed it back asking if I wanted some"medicine".  I haven't smoked pot in a long time and it was early morning so I declined but the smell was exhilarating!

That ride took us to a beach on the other side of Opunohu Bay and we were heading towards Cooks Bay which is about 5 nm to the East.  The Bay is named after Capt. Cook who entered there in 1764 on his ship "Discoverer".  While walking alongside the road, we passed a small village where several dogs were roaming free.  There were two pit bulls and one smaller dog.  This smaller dog attacked Phyllis and bit her on the right leg just above the ankle.  I fended him off and we found aa fisherman who went to his house and brought back a bandage and some salve.  The puncture wounds were not deep but bleeding quit a bit.  I managed to find a woman who was willing to take us into Cooks Bay to the doctor.  After examination it was determined that Phyllis didn't need stitches but the big danger here in the tropics is staph infection. The doctor was certain that that would occur.  He gave us a prescription for amoxicicline, some disinfectants, bandages, gauze and paraffin dressing.  That was  five days ago and, fortunately, we haven't noticed any staph infections to date.

July 8, 2012

We weighed anchor today with the intention of sailing to Huahine Island which is about 85 nm to the SE.  On our way out of the pass, some friends from a yacht called "Bombaleiro" came alongside in a dingy and asked us if we had heard that a storm was brewing in the South.  I hadn't heard this so we canceled sailing and came over to Cooks Bay to anchor and get more information on the internet.  Sure enough, there will be some very strong SE'ly winds blowing over the the next several days.  The Polynesians call these winds "mara'amu".  Essentially, they are very strong persistent Trade Winds that blow 20-35 kts and set up large rolling seas.  We're on hold right now to see what we can do or just wait it out for several more days.  Anyway, it's enjoyable to change scenery and be over in Cooks Bay which is another stunning display of beautiful surroundings.