As we get used to being in 2021 we have been talking about how we would hope this year unfolds. We have realised that we have about 3-4 months until our next decision point. It will be another couple of weeks before we get free of Tahiti’s grip (heard that before…) but once we do we will have the joy of time to sail and explore, with nowhere particular to go. Base plan is the Marquesas, Tuamotus or possibly Gambiers - but it does not really matter.

As we have talked to all our other buddy boats on this, we have all realised that we have all transitioned from constantly trying to sail west with the seasons, to just safely living out our lives and trying to make the best of our days until the mists of Covid clear (probably no different from the rest of the world). In a sense, we are all now sailing round in circles until we can go west. For sailors who always have a destination to reach, this comes as a bit of a change. It really does not matter what we do for the next few months so long as we stay safe. In reality this is a fantastic opportunity that we rarely get, but it does take a bit of an adjustment to the mindset (esp G).

The decision point in a few months will depend on whether places are beginning to open up or not towards the end of the South Pacific cyclone season. Like many of our friends, our ideal is to sail on to the Cook Islands and Tonga to enjoy what we came here for. It would be helpful too if New Zealand would relax its position on admitting cruising yachts. If there is no sign of any of that on the horizon then we will need a plan B (for which there are several possibilities). In the meantime we will just make the most of ‘sailing in circles’.

Today’s photo is an early morning shot of one of our buddy boats in the lagoon at Haapiti on Moorea.