06/18/2007, Opunohu Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia
The crew of Sand Dollar, minus the captain who had to attend to maintenance duties, rented bicycles and toured the Opunohu Valley. They discovered a French bakery, some charming restaurants and a grocery store. Moorea is a far cry from the isolated Tuamotus. It is very touristy but somewhat upscale. There are large hotel resorts and small bungalows over the water but no cruise ships, thank God.
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06/17/2007, Opunohu Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia
Today Sand Dollar and crew sailed around to the northwest side of Moorea to Opunohu Bay made famous as the location of many Hollywood films including South Pacific. The scenery is quite dramatic and the anchorage is peaceful. We will probably stay here for a couple of days hiking, biking, and snorkeling.
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06/16/2007, Moorea, French Polynesia
There was a swap meet at the marina this morning where I was able to find a replacement anchor for the one I lost in the Tuamotus. Although it is not exactly what I want, it will be fine as a back-up heavy anchor. These swap meets are great for socializing and getting rid of excess baggage.
Sand Dollar weighed anchor at 3 PM, filled the water and fuel tanks, and departed Tahiti for Moorea which is 12 miles to the west. We anchored at Vaiere Bay just before dark and enjoyed a fine dinner in the cockpit. Tomorrow we will sail around to the north and put in at Opunohu Bay. All else is well onboard.
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06/15/2007, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Today my friend Bob Mcfadden and his girlfriend Dana arrived to join Sand Dollar for 10 days of cruising around the Society Islands. They generously brought loads of boating and fishing supplies and four month's worth of my mail from Seattle. Tomorrow we plan to sail 10- miles to Moorea and spend a few days there before heading west to the Leeward Islands.
All else is fine onboard and we are very well-provisioned for the next couple of weeks.
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06/14/2007, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Let me say this about Papeete: It is expensive, noisy, not particularly clean and beautiful, and did I mention expensive. However, in the short time I spent ashore today I found its inhabitants to be very friendly, helpful and polite, even the French. Most of the locals speak at least some English so it is not difficult to transact business. I discovered a huge supermarket, not far from the marina. which has almost everything one could want. Tomorrow I will go back to begin reprovisioning. I will not see another market like this until Pago Pago or New Zealand.
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06/13/2007, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Sand Dollar arrived in Papeete, Tahiti at 8:45 AM and anchored near the Marina Taina along with about 50 other boats. I am anxious to go ashore in the "big city" and take care of business. It is said that you can get anything you want in Tahiti, just don't want too much because it is extremely expensive. There is wifi in the anchorage but I am too far from the antenna so will have to lug the laptop to shore for a connection.
All else is well onboard.
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