A weather window of sorts for the trip to Tahiti opened between 15-17 July. The choice was to go out in larger seas and wind then to motor, or to motor and then risk renewed big seas and potential storms. We and Somerset and Daniele and Phil on Sweet Surrender took the former - along with Sky and another boat. Somerset had a short setback with their chain twisted around coral but soon we were lined-up for a short run through the southern pass and into seas of 3.5 meters. Apart from the swell the passage to Tahiti was uneventful and the late night shifts were made bearable by long chats on the VHF with Carol or Jim on Somerset. We arrived in relative calm at the pass for Papeete and headed down past the airport (you are required to call the port authority to pass the airport)to the mooring balls. Both of us were hankering for fresh produce, cheese, baguettes and a restaurant. We literally had nothing fresh on board. We rounded the airport and the wind picked up, and up, and up. By the time we had caught a mooring ball it was blowing 30 knots and there was no chance of getting off the boat since the dinghy was tied on the foredeck. Paul settled in with the internet while I stewed and kept watch for the slightest reprieve in the wind. Not to be. It wasn't until next morning that we managed to get the dinghy down.

There are hundreds of boats here! and the mooring field is almost full because of the forecast winds. Fortunately for us the wind has turned more to the East and our area is calm. We spent the morning in Carrefour drooling over the gourmet cheeses and cold meats and fresh vegies.

The photo is of Sweet Surrender in the swell as we crossed her path on our way to Tahiti.