30 April 2010
We returned to the Quai des Yachts for one final day. Nearly all the rally boats have now arrived. It was good to get together again. Many of the boats we had not seen since leaving Hiva Oa, 6 weeks ago now. Our accumulator tank was returned to us, now welded and was refitted by David. The low pressure pump for the desalinator ordered. Having a major airport,Tahiti has been a popular destination for friends and families to join rally boats for short vacations. Carole, John's partner from Eowyn was one of them. She delivered my new laptop to me. We last met her in St Lucia before the start of WARC and she has been a faithful follower of my blog ever since. By bringing the new laptop she has made sure that I will keep writing. Ingrid of Destiny also tells me that she follows it every day when back home in Germany. With so many encouraging comments from people how can I not continue? A skipper's briefing from Stephanie on the remainder of the Society Islands was followed by a reception in the city hall. After speeches from Minister of Tourism, the mayor's representative and the director of the port authority, the prize giving for leg four was held. I was very thrilled to receive a prize for my blog, a beautiful pareo, along with Stephen on A Lady and Rosemary on Crazy Horse. It was sad that the major prize winner for the racing section received their prize in bare feet and scruffy tee shirts and shorts. What an insult to all the local dignitaries who were there to welcome us, including all the people that helped to make the evening so special. A local dance troupe entertained us and we had the most splendid buffet with wine from the Rangiroa distillery.
During our stay in Papeete we were presented with a garland of Frangipani which exudes the most wonderful heady scent. Tradition dictates that when you exit the pass from Tahiti, if you toss the "lei" into the sea, then you will return. I did just that four years ago and that tradition has proved to be correct, for David and I are here once more.
Having spent a week in Moorea four years ago on the previous rally and being on a tight time schedule we decided to head directly for Huahine. This would allow us to be one step ahead of all the rally boats and have the place to ourselves. We left the Quay des Yachts in the late afternoon with the wind blowing us off. As we made our exit, the wind caught Voyageur's stern and made contact with the Caio's spray hood. We were so upset. Not just because we had caused them some damage but because they are our friends. In addition our tender was also damaged. How unlucky is that. We had just had it repaired and it was like a new pin. Now this has happened. I fussed and fretted about it all night but what good does that do. At least no one was hurt. Of course we will pay for any damage to their boat but it looks like we may ourselves need a new tender. As I have said before it has been the most disappointing and unluckiest purchase of the whole trip.
The moon was full and round and stayed with us during the 100nm overnight passage northwest to Huahine. It stayed with us until dawn when we were treated to a double rainbow proceeding a brief rainfall. Voyageur rose and fell to the huge following ocean swell. The island of Huahine rose up in front of us and we ran down the west side of the island, spray thrown high in the air as the waves crashed against the reef creating the most wonderful misty effect.
Susan Mackay