#56 NOW June 6, 2005 1650 Tahiti Time = UTC -10 hours Temperature 83 degrees Light breeze out of the Southeast\ Anchored in Matavai Bay next to Point Venus (S17’29.93 W149’29.83) Good Evening, Well, as you can see I have made it around the island. I must confess that I have been ill lately—caught the Tahitian laid-back bug. Just can’t seem to get anything done. I pulled into Port Phaeton, which is on the Southwest, side of the isthmus and stayed for three days, or was it four. What a lovely spot, and so protected from the weather and ocean swell. I anchored in what I thought was a good spot. However, after being there a couple of hours a small boat came out and a fellow hailed me in broken English. He said that maybe I should move, as I was right in the path of the kids that would be racing dinghies. He added that the group today was pretty good and I could stay, but tomorrow, they were beginners and would probably hit my boat. About 20 minutes later I looked up to see 20 little dinghies with 20 laughing kids heading straight for me. At first, I was admiring the colored sails, but soon it became evident that I was right in the way. Well, no one hit me but they were going around me some in front and some dropping off behind. I made a quick decision to move NOW, which I did as soon as the last boat passed. The next day, the beginners were all over the bay, it was hilarious watching the instructors in their little speed boats running from one kid to the next. They just sort of set these five and six year olds out in one direction and away they went. I was glad to be tucked far out of the way. I left Port Phaeton on Sunday and went 6 miles where I found a nice basin to anchor in, and dropped the hook again. Today I was much more ambitious and headed for Papeete. I had planned to pull in through Taapuna Pass, which is South of Marina Taina where I have reservation for Tuesday through Friday. I had planned to anchor out in a bay near the marina tonight. However, there was a heavy swell coming in from the SW and Taapuna Pass looked rather scary with breaking waves. In fact, when I got closer I could see guys on surfboards surfing the waves in through the pass. It took me about two seconds to make a command decision not to go that way. So, I proceeded on around to the main entrance to Papeete harbor. However, from there I could see lovely Matavai Bay off in the distance beckoning me to come on over. So why fight for an anchorage spot with dozens of other boats, when I could have a Bay to myself with a wonderful sunset thrown in. Thus, my circumnavigation of Tahiti ended. I would urge anyone planning a cruise down this way to complete the circle. It will give you a great insight into the way the real Tahitians live and a rich feeling for the history of this lovely island. Tomorrow it’s down to the marina and back to hustle and bustle of the city. Life is a Cruise, Larry Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/ Email: <mailto:donedream@pacbell.net>donedream@pacbell.net