It is wet and windy today and after checking our weather provider “Clearpoint” we decided to leave Bora-Bora and return to Ile Tahaa.
We had a dry passage to windward in 15 to 20 knots with one reef in the mainsail. As we approached Passé Paipai the wind strengthened to +25 knots so we were glad that we had made the decision to leave Bora-Bora while the weather was kind.
We sailed into Hurepiti Bay and picked up a mooring belonging to Sophie’s Boutique as we had done previously with Naomi and David.
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Salacia at Hurepiti Bay |
After a wet and windy night we took Cherie ashore to visit the Boutique. The weather was forecast to get much worse over the next few days so next morning we sailed to Taravana Yacht Club and again picked up a mooring.
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| Cherie at Sophie's Boutique |
On Friday we returned the hire dinghy to “The Mooring” and picked up our new dinghy and outboard.
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Cherie and Stephen arriving in the new dinghy |
With the weather deteriorating we returned to Taravana Yacht Club and booked a land based tour of the island for the next day.
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Sunset at Taravana Yacht Club |
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour which included a visit to a Vanilla plantation and we heard all about this fascinating orchid plant whose flower must be married by hand to produce its precious fruit.
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Vanilla pods waiting to be dried and graded |
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Vanilla Flower |
Pearl farms have recently been built here as the lagoon water is ideal for black pearl farming. Along with vanilla and coconut oil, this activity has, in a few years, become a major resource of this quiet island. Its 4500 islanders are spread over 8 villages which are decorated with flower trees and are well maintained.
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Cherie and Stephen enjoying a joke |
The road to Mt Puurauti was slippery and dangerous as the 4WD climbed to Vaitoetoe Pass for a panoramic view of the islands 67km of coastline. The view of the neighbouring bays is breathtaking and the drive through gorgeous rainforests was well worthwhile.
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View from Vaitoetoe Pass |
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Another photo of the view from Vaitoetoe Pass |
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