May 5-8, 2011

On May 5, in between rain showers we motored 8 miles within the protection of the reef south to Avea Baie, a picturesque bay and the most southern bay which is deep enough for cruising boats. There were three boats at anchor: the Sunsail charter catamaran who we had met earlier and SV Magenta. We stayed inside and did projects. Portia began to write her arbitration decision on a hearing she held in March.

The next day, although it was cloudy, it did not rain so we put our pedal powered Hobie kayak together. We took it out of the protective cover where it has been stored on deck these past 8 months. We washed out the mud that had accumulated inside. We do not know how so much mud got inside the zippered cover since it was stored on deck, some 10 feet above the ground. We pedaled further south from the anchorage toward the next bay against 2-3 knots of current. Good exercise for the legs after being cooped up the past few days. Once at the bay, we donned our snorkel gear and jumped into the water. We drift snorkeled letting the 2-3 knots of current take us and our kayak back toward Dream Caper. We saw lots of coral and brightly colored fish. Portia liked it, but it was too fast for Steve who likes to take time to investigate in and around coral outcroppings. That night we met the 7 charterers on the Sunsail catamaran, and Larry and Kim on SV Magenta at Relais Mahana Restaurant and Hotel, reputably the best gourmet restaurant in French Polynesia. We enjoyed exotic drinks and delicious entrees of mahi mahi and tuna with French Polynesian vanilla sauce. Yummy! Fun company too. Larry and Kim are from Whistler Mountain, British Columbia and the charters are from Texas, San Diego, and Virginia. Being with a group who are on vacation rather than living the cruising life like us livened us both up and keeping us out until 10:30 pm, way past “cruiser's midnight” of 8:00 pm. We dinghied back in a light rain.

On May 7, it rained most of the day. Portia recovered the salon cushions with terry cloth material which she had purchased in Guayaquil, Ecuador a few years ago. She also recovered a few pillows. Now the salon looks bright and clean. Steve spent the day getting the starboard hull in order, finding places to store all the things we had left on the forward and aft berths while away. Now our guest berth is ready for company and the rest of the starboard hull is all ship shape. Well, almost. The head still has the air conditioner we purchased as a dehumidifier. Once we get to Bora Bora we will find a spot for it in the forward berth, and we will really be ready for guests.

On Sunday, May 8, we motored back to Fare, the main town at the pass. We anchored close to the wharf area and enjoyed a nice steak dinner on board for Mother's Day. Mako's Mother's Day email to Portia reminded her of the day. She had forgotten as there are no US Mother's Day advertisements out here to remind us of special days. We were glad to have good internet reception from the boat at this anchorage which enabled us to talk directly with Steve's mother on this special day.