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Firefly - Back to cruising mode



After three days of frantic racing and partying we are now back to a much slower pace. Despite the racing challenges and pitfalls we did enjoy the Tahiti Pearl Regatta immensely and wonder whether Dartmouth Regatta will ever match up to the dramatic race courses, scenery, the nightly dancing and fire eating displays! Maybe we can bring back some ideas?

The following day we cruised Tahaa and found a beautiful coral garden on the West Coast at Ilot Tautau. We spent a couple of hours snorkeling, drifting with the current, enjoying both the coral and fish, including a large shoal of surgeon fish and one black tip reef shark.

After a few teething problems with the SSB radio that proved to be operator error! - we finally sent out some emails and downloaded weather data, the impending strong North Westerly wind forecast dictated an earlier than planned departure to Bora Bora. Even with this we still suffered three hours sailing up wind in 20 to 25 knots on a traditionally down wind track. This was Peter's last passage before he returns to the UK so good preparation for the spring gales at home!(he might need a few extra layers).

After a long slog we were very pleased to sail through the pass into the Bora Bora lagoon and return to calm and sheltered water. The rough weather is forecast to run for a few days so for the first night have anchored Firefly in the lee of a small island within the lagoon called Toopoa. We are close to good coral and snorkeling area so will make the most of this before heading to the centre of Bora Bora Vaitape tomorrow for Susie to start her diving course and Paul and Peter to seek out Manta and Eagle rays and the odd shark.

For those wondering where Grateful our ships parrot is; he is still here, having a great time, but keeping a low profile and unlike many of the crew on the World ARC rally is not jumping ship!

Paul, Susie and Peter

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