Sailing Brahminy: SOCIETY ISLANDS

We arrived in Papeete tired after a short but eventful crossing from South Fakarava. At first we had good wind from the East before the wind completely backed off and we had to motor for several hours. The Johnson saltwater pump that I had repaired enough to get us to Papeete so that we could pick up the new ordered part completely died and we were left with only one engine. With no wind, we were hit with several short but nonetheless lively squalls during the night bringing a little welcome wind but in addition to stinging rain and lightening. After a sleepless first night we drifted in glassy waters and Sara let me sleep for several hours the next day, which was lovely. Our estimated 48-hour crossing took us 70 hours and we arrived in the darkness of the early hours of the third day. We drifted in the channel off Papeete waiting for the sun to come up, brewed a coffee and watched the sun rise over the first mountains we had seen since the Marquises.

The dark green slopes were a feast for our eyes and I imagined the early Polynesian explorers who journeyed here on their giant double canoes thousands of years ago rejoicing at the sight of such a paradise; Freshwater streams cascaded down the slopes covered in a canopy of breadfruit trees, giant acacias and Tahitian Limes.. My mind wandered to the Englishmen Capt Cook and Capt. Bligh with the hundreds of other crew who came from the dreary weather, docks and slums of England to arrive in this other world of sun, sea, fruits and beautiful women. It was little wonder that the Bligh’s crew mutinied after spending a year on these shores, with the impending prospect of returning home.

Eventually we limped into the Tahiti Yacht club navigating through the twists and turns of the tight pass on our single screw. Pheww! We stayed in Papeete for a week, provisioning and waiting for our saltwater pump, which never arrived… We were able to find a mechanic with a bearing press who was able to repair our failed pump and we had 2 engines operational again! My mate Rick arrived from Denmark, WA which was awesome and we set off for Moorea for a few days and found a lovely anchorage in 2 meters of water near the sunken Tiki’s. We then travelled overnight to Huahine where My Mate John arrived who took time in his hectic schedule of gigs to join us on the boat for a week. Yeeouw! The boys were together again and Sara had to put up with lots of male bonding time, knot tying sessions, guitar lessons and stupid jokes. Tropical fruits were abundant on the island in the forest and the snorkeling was incredible. It really was so great to have my mates on board and we had a blast. We then travelled to Bora Bora for more snorkeling, coconuts and amazing cooked meals. It was sad to say goodbye to the fellas at Bora Bora airport but we are excited for the next leg of the journey to the Cook Islands!