Next Step - Marina de Papeete - Day 24

We have been in lockdown in Marina de Papeete, Tahiti now for 24 days. This week has seen some of our outstanding boat issues progressed which is good, such as the watermaker leak, replacement boom preventer fitting and teak toerail where it has cracked during the last leg of the sail to Tahiti and a rig check. The ban on alcohol sales in Tahiti has been partially lifted which has meant that we have been able to stock up on beers and wine. Some of the internal restrictions have now been lifted across French Polynesia with the exception of Tahiti and Moorea where the current lockdown continues. We are beginning to see more activity in Papeete town as anumber of the shops look like they are preparing to open again. For us, the daily life in the marina carries on as normal.. read more...

Next Step - 15th to 18th April 2020 - From Tahiti

The week has been fairly uneventful as we await further news on the lockdown and restrictions in Tahiti. On the 15th whilst I was sorting out the camping gaz refills and the next two weeks mooring fees with the marina office, Jeremy and Nicole went on board Celtic Star for a trip down to Marina Taina to refuel. On the following day we all went down to Marina Taina with Pete an Australian single handed guy who is also in our marina to help him refuel his yacht. The trip out made a great change from being stuck in Marina de Papeete. We had some good news on Thursday, it looks like we will be able to buy a limited amount of beer and wine from next Monday. It has also been announced on the local news that all of French Polynesia, except for Tahiti and Moorea will have some of its. read more...

Next Step - Marina de Papeete - 11th to 14th April 2020

Hi folks, we are still in Marina de Papeete, not much has changed a few more WorldARC boats have arrived over the last few days. The local restrictions have been extended to the 29th April, but as France has pushed its date back to 11th May, French Polynesia will probably follow. It will be challenging as we are shortly going to run out of alcohol…!! We made the most of the Easter holiday with a nice meal of fish pie on Saturday night followed by a little bit too much rum to drink! Easter Sunday Annalisa made a chocolate cake with a cream and Malteser topping which was a real treat and in the evening we had a steak dinner cooked by Jeremy. The camaraderie in the marina amongst both the WorldARC fleet and some of the non WorldARC boats is fantastic. To help the day go by we have a radio. read more...

Next Step - 30th March 2020 - Papeete

Another day in Papeete and a bit more activity on the road along the harbour front. Also, a container ship has come into the port so the cranes are all manned loading and off loading containers. Today we had a visit from Laurent from Polynesia Yacht Services to go through all the entry formalities and we were also visited by two immigration officers. I can now go off to the Marina office to get a marina pass and pay for our berth etc. Unfortunately, the marina wifi and the construction of the shower block has not yet been finished so services are a bit limited, but we can get water and electricity which is good. Jeremy and Nicole were able to buy some bread, cheese and fresh salad for lunch from the supermarket which made a nice change from wraps. As the day went on more WorldARC boats. read more...

Next Step - 29th March 2020

Hopefully we will get into Papeete, Tahiti today..! During the night we had heavy rain and lightening but very little wind so progress was painfully slow. Land ahoy, at last we can see Tahiti on the horizon. By 1420 local time we were comfortably berthed in the Marina de Papeete. A couple, Gordon and Louise from Australia on a catamaran also in the marina welcomed us which was very nice. The marina is in the centre of Papeete opposite the commercial port, we arrived on Sunday and we did not see anyone on the street, all the shops and bars etc. were all shut. The pandemic control measures apply to us in the same way as they apply to the locals, so we are in effect boat bound for the foreseeable future.. read more...