Done Dreamin' 05/31/05: Poking around paradise
#55 NOW May 31, 2005 1545 Tahiti Time = UTC -10 hours
Temperature 88 degrees hot and Sunny
Vaiau BasinMost southern tip of Tahiti (S1752.8 W14911.2)
Good Afternoon,
Just as the suns first rays came sizzling over
the hilltop, I started Done Dreamin' s engine,
pulled up the anchor, and we (Done Dreamin' and
I) were on our way around the island of Tahiti.
Rounding Point Venus, the seas picked up and we
had some rough going into short choppy six-foot
seas. Most of the island has offshore reefs,
which create a lagoon between the reef and the
shore. These do a wonderful job of protecting
the shore from crashing waves. However, you have
to find a suitable pass to enter these lagoons.
By noon, I had worked my way into one of these
lagoons and pulled in behind Nansouty Island.
Well, I guess you can call it an island. It is
about 100 feet square with a lone tree clinging
tenaciously to it. Reminded me of the pictures
you see of a shipwrecked sailor on a lone island
with one palm tree. Anchoring in the lee of this
island, I took special care to set the anchor. I
had no intention on being that shipwrecked sailor
running around that tree waving my hands trying
to attract attention.
In the afternoon, I turned on my FM radio that I
had not used since leaving the US and found to my
delight a wonderful Tahitian music station.
Their music is much like Hawaiian music.
Occasionally there would be some French and
English music also. It was a nice diversion.
Monday I continued working my way around reefs
and little islets. The charts down here are
good, certainly much better than the Mexican
charts. Careful navigation in tight places is
possible with a good degree of confidence.
Running along behind the reefs in the lagoons is
wonderfully smooth and enjoyable, but you had
better stay alert. I went through a pass called
La Boudeuse, which was the name of the French
ship Captained by Antoine de Bougainville (The
Bougainville flower was named after him). He was
the second person to discover Tahiti and claimed
if for France in 1768. Of course, he was unaware
of Walliss earlier landing at Matavai Bay.
Once again, around noon I found a little bay just
south of Point Vaiturutu. This is near the town
of Pueu. Its easy to write down these names,
but dont ask me to say them. This turned out to
be a peaceful anchorage with just a few shanty
type homes on the shore. There was the laughter
of kids playing in the shallows, a dog was
barking somewhere in the distance. Out in the
bay a couple of out-rigger canoes were fishing.
This is life in the fast laneTahitian style.
Today I continued to work my way around the
southern tip of the island. Much to my surprise,
I have only seen one other cruising boat. I
guess everyone just stays up in Papeete and
enjoys the city life. They are missing the best
part. Right now, I am anchored in a peaceful
lagoon with towering peaks jutting out of the
sea. They are covered with lush green vegetation
and cascading waterfalls. On the shore are coral
and sandy beaches with coconut palms reaching out
to sea as far as they can. Paradise really is
neat.
Life is a Cruise,
Larry
Larry Rick
Done Dreamin'
Nordhavn 40 #33
Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/
Email: mailto:donedream@pacbell.netdonedream@pacbell.net
The Admirable and I are wondering how difficult is it to get cats and dogs
into and out of most foreign countries? Can it be solved by meticulous
planning and ample foresight or is it a beurocratic nightmare? Are there
certain countries that are so much trouble that you would be better off
bypassing them?
Our general after retirement plan is to trailer Portager to the Gulf coast
and cruise the ICW before heading across the Atlantic. We would like to
cruise some of the canals in Europe and maybe some of the wider once in the
UK. Then we would work our way through the Med, dive the Red Sea and head
for the Maledives, Australia, New Zeeland, the Philippines, China, ...
Regards;
Mike Schooley
Designing "Portager" a transportable Passagemaker
On Jun 2, 2005, at 6:44 AM, Mike Schooley wrote:
The Admirable and I are wondering how difficult is it to get cats
and dogs
into and out of most foreign countries? Can it be solved by meticulous
planning and ample foresight or is it a beurocratic nightmare? Are
there
certain countries that are so much trouble that you would be better
off
bypassing them?
Mike,
Ample foresight might be an understatement when it comes to island
nations, depending on what you mean by the term 'ample foresight.'
Island nations (UK, Australia, etc) are particularly stringent
because they're trying to keep rabies off their shores entirely. Many
require up to a 6-month quarantine of the pet once you arrive there
(falls in your 'better off bypassing' category, no?)
The trend in recent years has been to relax some or all of the
quarantine requirement, but only in cases where a meticulously
documented series of rabies vaccinations, microchipping and rabies
titer measurement is performed, and all within rigorously enforced
time frames usually spanning at least 18 months prior to arrival.
The bottom line is: contact the local consulate of the nations you're
considering well in advance (meaning yesterday!) Most of them will
have web sites where you can read all about what you need to do and
when. At my veterinary hospital, we offer a sort of 'concierge'
service to shepherd folks through this process who are getting ready
to move to Hawaii, Australia or wherever (Australia is one of the
more stringent.) We have done this based on client demand for help in
sorting through the paperwork requirements, reminding them when
things are due etc, and we charge a pretty hefty fee for it because
it can be a real pain.
So yes, it can be done, but pick the 'detail person' between the two
of you, and there's no such thing as 'too far in advance' when it
comes to researching it.
Valerie Creighton, DVM
The Cat Doctor
catdoctor@earthlink.net
Selene 53 on order
A horrifying account of this attach was just published in the local NW
Sailing Magazine, 48North. They unfortunately did not have the text on
their website. However, much the same text is available, for some reason,
on a right wing website:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1391542/posts
This certainly makes non-violent types, such as myself, take pause.
Best,
Steve
Steve Dubnoff
1966 Willard Pilothouse
www.mvnereid.com
sdubnoff@circlesys.com
Sorry for my spelling. But, I guess if the president can 'disassemble'
instead of 'dissemble', I can 'attach' (twice) instead of 'attack'. No
substitute for careful proofreading before you press send.
Best,
Steve
Steve Dubnoff
1966 Willard Pilothouse
www.mvnereid.com
sdubnoff@circlesys.com
Try noonsite.com
http://www.noonsite.com/Members/doina/R2005-03-14-1
Or the following (may need to click on the <ENGLISH> button, unless you are
comfortable with German)
http://www.yachtpiracy.org/en/index.htm
Cliff
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