Taha’a is a lovely jewel of an island.  There are so many isolated anchorages, islets and motus to explore.  Our first stop was the Taurau Islet near Coral Gardens.  Matt and I snorkeled this beautiful pass twice before with Wayne and then again with Rocco and Lindi.  We were anxious to experience its wonders again.

Coral Gardens – the Island Jewel

We felt the current immediately after jumping in the water.  Hmmmm.  We had heard there was a current here which required walking on shore to the end and drifting back to the dinghy.  However, we had not experienced it.  Today, was different.  We tried, valiantly I might add, to swim upstream.  I was leading, with Carl, Missy, and John behind me.  We made it about half way before we all decided to swim to shore.  It was exhausting.   You had to be in full swim mode to move the slightest distance.  Not normally a problem, but it is too shallow to do full swim strokes – you can only do frog strokes/kicks.  Shots below are near a calm section of the gardens.

A short walk to the end.  We jumped back in and did a rather rapid drift snorkel.  You had to grab and hold on to coral to stop.  It made it hard to photograph the sea life.  It was pretty and kind of fun to drift back, but I missed all the sea life.  The soft corals and sea anemones were hidden and the fish with only in small patchy areas.  Our little jewel of a snorkel spot turned out to be different this time around.

Vanilla Tour Taha’a

John, Missy, and Carl went on the Taha’a Vanilla Tour with Noah.   It was super cool to share that experience with them.  I knew Missy and Carl would love the flora and fauna lessons. It’s impossible not to see the shimmery brilliance of this island jewel.

The crew jumped in for a night snorkel and explored a coral head off the back of the boat.  The green light brings out all sorts of critters.

Herb Garden

Missy has been helping me tend to my new herb garden.  We have basil, coriander and a tomato plant.  Carl found a half coconut with two eye indents and a small hole making it a cute little face.  It earned a spot in the garden

Passage: Taha’a to Bora Bora

It is a short 23nm from Taha’a to Bora bora.  The weather forecasted a downward wind pattern at 10-12kts.  Perfect for the kite (spinnaker).  As you might recall, we ripped our small spinnaker which is good in 15-20kts of wind.  The large spinnaker (Big Bertha) is only good in 8-17kts.

We had Big Bertha up and flying for all of an hour before the winds got too strong and we took her down.  It was a shame because not 30 minutes later the winds stayed below 15kts.  But we did have a stroke of good fortune.  As we approached the Bora Bora pass, we caught a 20-25lb Wahoo!

Carl, with a little help from John and Matt reeled this beauty in.  She will provide about 20 meals.  Matt has been hoping for a Wahoo for a very long, long time.  You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face!

Bora Bora – The French Polynesian Gem

We rolled into the Poofai Bay anchorage early afternoon.  A stop at Bloody Mary’s was needed after a restful afternoon.  A little internetting, cocktails and a snack and we were all jubilant.

We had a relaxing morning after a tasty French toast breakfast.  Matt drove us around the tip of the island to the SW side. Probably not the wisest thing we’ve done as the strong winds were coming from the SW.  It was a wet and wild ride!  Better than a roller coaster and wetter than the log jammer.  He dropped us off at Fa’ a’oporo Bay so we could do a walk about.

John, Missy, Carl and I found the beach access and started toward it.  As our feet touched the sand, John noticed Matt sitting in Sweetie in the middle of the bay.  Not sure how we managed that – but sweet!  We all enjoyed a cold beverage (or two) and a tasty snack for lunch at the Bora Bora Yacht Club.  Talk about a beautiful view.

Matt took the dinghy back around the corner as it was faster and easier with one person.  The rest of us walked along the beach toward Bloody Mary’s.  We stopped at a little corner of the beach that was pretty secluded.  Carl swam while Missy and I collected sea shells.

Missy and I went for a short walk and captured some beautiful sunset shots of the Bora Bora peaks.  Showcasing the jewel of the island – the sunset.

Saying Goodbye is Always Hard

It was time for our good friends to head back to the states.  Always sad to let go.  We had so much fun showing them around the Society Archipelago.  We visited Tahiti, Mo’orea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora.  Lots of islands in a short time, but we did it!  Thank you, John, Missy, and Carl, for the amazing memories and good times.