Moving on to Moorea

Sunday 4th May

On Thursday we got up early and joined another 120 WARC sailors on a round the island bus tour. It was very interesting, even if the only airconditioning was the open windows of the buses. Ours was a school bus, with low seats and upright backs.

Our 1st stop was a Kodak moment overlooking part of Papeete, but the 2nd one was at Venus Point. This is where Capt. James Cook stayed to observe a transit (eclipse) of Venus in 1769 I think. There is a memorial there for both him and the Bounty under William Bligh, just before the mutiny. Bligh is best known around here as the man who brought the Breadfruit to the Carribean islands. There is also at this point a lighthouse built by Robert Louis Stevenson. This was erected by the queen of Tahiti to bring the British back after the French had moved in. However, unbeknownst to her, the British had already sold out to the French and agreed that Polynesia was to be French. Perfidious Albion!

After a couple of more stops we went into the Gaugin Museum resataurant for lunch. This was an incredible meal. A buffet of cold foods, hot foods and traditional Tahitian foods. Some people didn't eat for the rest of the week I think!

Next along was a visit to the Botanical Gardens, interesting but not fascinating, unlike the last stop. This was at a Marai or meeting place. We saw several on the Marquesa Islands, but there were differences. The guide was very informative and explained the various goings on. Some of them still go on today! This was followed by a group photo and then home.

Next evening there was an evening of some speeches and prizes, followed by traditional dusky maidens doing their Polynesian dances. However they were the equivalent to the Billy Barry kids, but fascinating all the same.

Today, Saturday, we left Papeete and Tahiti behind and travelled the 14 miles across to Moorea and are now anchored in a beautiful bay on the North coast. We'll stay here a couple of days and then sail over to Raitea for the Regatta. This is a mere 98 miles acroo the Pacific! Nothing to even think about any more!