We have been in the Tuamotu archipelago for about two weeks now, after a brisk four-day sail from Ua Pou to Kauehi Atoll – 480 miles as the crow flies, but probably a bit farther as the Picara sails.
It was a bouncy passage, and at the end of it we had to wait for the right current to enter the pass so we hove to on the leeward side of the lagoon for half a day until we thought we might have a slack-ish tide --- in the end we had three knots with us but since we are used to passes at home it was no problem.
It was such a pleasure to be anchored inside the protection of the atoll’s fringing reef and motus (low sandy palm-covered islands) and to feel Picara sitting still at last, after the rolling of our passage and of the swelly anchorages in the Marquesas.
After an idyllic week in Kauehi atoll we day-sailed 35 miles west to Fakarava where we have now picked up our buddies Donald and Camilla who flew in from home! They were laden with luggage, not for themselves but for us and Picara. It was like Christmas!
Yesterday we bicycled around the village of Fakarava and out to the pass, where we snorkeled and saw two fairly hefty sharks, amid all of the other beautiful colourful fish. This place is famous for its shark population and we have been reassured multiple times that the black-tipped and white-tipped reef sharks are not dangerous, but it is still very very exciting to see one just a few feet away!
Next we are off to explore South Fakarava…
Lots of love to everyone at home, thank you for your comments we love them!