Mazu Adventures

June 18-23
Moorea is located just ten miles west of Tahiti and is also a steep mountain volcanic island. Lush and green it is the pineapple growing capital of French Polynesia.
We arrive at Opunohu Bay and are rewarded to a spectacular view. As the guide book describe; “…is without a doubt, the prettiest and most natural (even to this day)” and I agree. It is just what the doctor has ordered for our rest and relaxation after the busy boat chore filled time we spent in Papeete. After the dinghy is in the water Mel and I relax in the cockpit and watch the sunset with a couple of cold beers, if I thought I was in paradise before, now I am sure!
The water here is crystal clear. We are anchored in 12 ft. in a nice sandy bottom. No need to dive on the anchor to check if it is set, we can see it from the bow of the boat. There are about 10 boats here with room for more, so we do not feel crowded at all. We know several of the boats or at least have heard them on the VHF radio. Our friend Jimmy (from Ireland on the boat Vision) stops by to let us know that a group of cruisers are going to go to the “Polynesian night” at the Hilton just up the road. For a drink at the bar they will let you enjoy the show with the rest of the guests. We say we will go. Also our friends on “Wings of the Dawn” that we met in Manihi stop by to say hello.
The next day I go for a snorkel near the shore. Not as good as Rangriora but still lots of pretty fish to be seen. Mel and I also take a dingy tour of the bay and go to the little village of Papetoai. Here there is an octagonal church that is the oldest standing European building in the South Pacific. As was often the case, the missionaries deliberately built this church atop of an old marae (religious platforms built by the Polynesians). The Polynesian night at the Hilton is pretty good, but we look forward to the real dance competitions in Bora Bora
On Friday we have reserved a car for the day, our friends Michael and Anita from Cherokee Rose are going with us as we explore the island. We see:
• Belvedere Look-out with a spectacular view of Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay
• Opunohu Valley archaeological site. This valley was continuously inhabited for six centuries and the oldest surviving marae date to the 13th century.
• The Distillerie et Usine de Jus de Frits de Moorea. This juice-processing factory and distillery produces various juices and alcoholic beverages including the famous Tahitian drink, an alcoholic punch. We found dark Rhum (yes they spell it that way here) at the cheapest price anywhere, it is good too.
• Toatea lookout; overlooks a beautiful lagoon dotted with coral, the barrier reef and Tahiti in the background.
• Have lunch at the cool old resort, Club Bali Hai (also will be the home for the Pacific Puddle Jump party.
• Stopped at a roadside fruit stand to buy fresh pineapple and found the largest avocado’s you have ever seen!
I was a fun day exploring and sharing time with friends…
Now for the work:
It is not always fun in the sun on a boat. Many hours are spent on boat maintenance and/or repairs, as you will hear more of when I blog about our time in Papeete. Today I suggested to Mel that we try our hookah machine, nooooo it is not what you think. Our hookah is a compressor used for breathing underwater. We bought it before we left the states to use for cleaning the bottom of the boat, or in case we need to repair something under the boat or God forbid we need to release a fouled anchor.
We had not used it at all. Being we were in very shallow calm water I thought it would be a good time to try it. Well, after re-reading the instructions we got it all set up and with me weighted down with a scuba weight belt I was ready to inspect our boat bottom. I have to admit I was a bit scared to be under the boat but soon I was comfortable and relaxed and after 3 hours, I cleaned the entire bottom, the prop and rudder and even changed a zinc. Now a new “pink” job has been added to the list of chores on the boat.
In a couple of days we will head back to Papeete to meet with fellow cruisers as we celebrate our accomplishment with the Latitude 38 Pacific Puddle Jump Rendezvous, a three day fun-filled event that we have been looking forward to. More on that in the next blog.