Aug 11 2007
Island Time
It is with some embarrassment that we acknowledge our near two-week silence—-the causes of which lie in the splendors of our 1st ten-days in Moorea (& the distractions of our leisure there), followed by a whirl-wind few days moored at the vital & inviting waterfront heart of Papeete, then a 2nd , overnight visit to Moorea.
Our 1st, extended visit to Moorea, with splendid weather, included getting a leg-up on ship’s maintenance, sailing the skiff each day, hiking, biking, swimming, & kayaking to our hearts’ content; while there we made the acquaintance of numerous new friends—-French, American & Tahitian.
In Papeete we were taken under-the-wing of the charming Port Captain, Gerard Teiva, coach of the world-class 6-man Tahitian ocean-racing outrigger team (Shell Va’a), an admirer of our truly classic vessel and of our long history-with & affection-for Tahiti. We were happily & safely moored, stern-to at the new Bounty Dock on the Quai des Yachts where we basked in the interest & approval of daily passers-by and attracted local TV & newspaper reporters (“un superbe yacht M/V Westward, un navire charge d’historie . . . “).
But the highlight of this Tahiti visit was the arrival of our lovely daughter Margot on the 7th for a nine-day visit onboard (& voyage with us to Moorea, Huahine, Tahaa & BoraBora). With Margot’s careful eye we scoured the shops & market for pareaus, bikinis, shell necklaces, fresh produce, woven bags, black pearls & fine food.
Our second visit to Moorea, though brief, saw Westward moored stern-to, at Omar Darr’s property, for a lovely & delicious dinner ashore there with new-found friends, 9 years resident at that glorious spot! Friday include unbelievable snorkeling the shallows with scores of human-habituated manta-rays, while a dozen black-tipped reef sharks circled harmlessly nearby.
We’re now enroute to Huahine, and early morning arrival after a lovely overnight run; watch this space, we’ll do our best to keep you better informed (internet connections permitting.
All best,
Westward
