We did not stay long in Point Venus as we had many boat tasks to do before my flight back to the states.  So, we headed to Marina Taina after our brief exploration of Point Venus.  It was a short 5-mile journey to the North Pass.  We hailed the Port Captain to alert them of our arrival and received permission to enter the pass.  It’s not a particularly pretty island, especially coming from the North Pass.  There is a huge industrial area to the left and the downtown Papeete Marina.  Then you pass rows and rows of houses and building on shore.  So much for the majestic beauty of the Tahitian Islands.

Entering the North Pass in Tahiti

We had a little less than 5-miles from the entrance, past the airport, to the Marina Taina anchorage.  We took it slow and easy as we checked out the view.  Somewhere around mile 2, we were joined by two very strong and energetic Polynesian outriggers.  One stayed on our port while the other paddled in our wake.  They stayed with us for well over 3 miles and maintained our 5kt speed!  They were working hard!

Polynesia Outriggers Keeping Up With Sugar Shack

MARINA TAINA ANCHORAGE

We had hoped to hop on one of the 186 mooring balls offered by Marina Taina.  However, when we stopped by to inquire about availability in April, the manager said they were first come first serve (no reservations taken).  Hurumph. So, when Matt and I arrived, we passed several empty mooring balls on the north side of the anchorage.  We wanted to see if there was anything closer to the marina and found a sweet spot in shallow, turquoise water.  After finding a mooring, we fed our bridle and a back up line through, swam on the mooring and called it a good day.

We were directly across from the Intercontinental Tahiti hotel which boasts of huts over the water.  Unfortunately for them, they are surrounded by boats.

Intercontinental Hotel Tahiti Surrounded by Cruisers

TASKS, CHORES AND PROJECTS

We had lots boat tasks, chores and projects to do.  Of course, it was self-imposed and not totally necessary to get done, but I wanted to complete them before Wayne came aboard.

Fist things first, we went to the marina office to let them know we picked up a mooring ball.  Unfortunately for us we were on a private ball and had to go back to the boat to move her to the “anchorage.”  We are still in gorgeous water, but now far from the marina.

Since we were technically in the marina’s anchorage, they wrote us a letter stating we had a “residence” here so we could get an annual contract with the local internet/phone provider, Vini.  So we headed over to Vini to sign up for our hot spot box, pay for the year of service up front and connect it all up.  At $50 per month for 10 gigs it added up fast.  Plus, we had to put 2 months deposit down.  But we should have internet access in “most” islands throughout French Polynesia.

We checked in with Tahiti Crew to see if they had an update on our long-stay visa.  Nothing yet.  Then researched local canvas shops.  We needed to find someone who could repair our small spinnaker (remember we tore the clew off) and our sail bag.  Success, Ocean Sails Tahiti could repair it before our deadline of 24 June!

I managed to get a lot of boat tasks done:

• Ospho all of the interior/exterior stainless steel
• Oiled/stained all of the interior/exterior wood/teak.
• Bleached all ceilings
• Deep clean both heads and all cabins
• Complete food inventory in preparation of our shopping spree when I get back

More Beautiful Photos from Tahiti:

The photo below was taken from the boat looking at Morea.  Beautiful little island hiding the sun.

Sunset behind Moorea

Sugar Shack anchored in front of Intercontinental Hotel