Stuck in the Moment and we can't get out of it...

Aitutaki is going to become familiar. We looked at heading back in to tahiti 600nm up wind..

But after a bit it made more sense to go back and re anchor as poor an anchorage as it is behind the Island. We could be here a good few days as a very high pressure squeezes the isobars and we end up with winds in the 30's and gusting higher and the seas are about 18' or 5m Too for now we wait behind this tropical paradise.. You can see the wind in the sky...

Photo by  RDS

Manauae

And this is all we Found. After drifting through dinner we set the staysail and headed back to Aitutaki to an early Guest drop off. 

Aitutaki to Manuae

The charter has gone well and as we enter in to the last day we are seeing the winds increase. We are planning a trip to another , almost never visited and uninhabited fish...Island  called Manuae. It is a marine Sanctuary. After a nice sail and with less than favorable direction  on went the motors so the guest could spend a little time there. You can not anchor so Rosehearty drifted while all were ashore.

Photo by "Dronemaster" Smith

Aitutaki Sunset..

Says it all really.

Humpbacks by the boat!

Right beside the boat....

Photo by Richard Smith

Anchorage

Another Great photo by  Richard Smith.

Aitutaki

Landfall was made early and We anchored off Aitutaki. There is only a tiny Shelf here to Anchor on and we have been careful to get it in the right place. We are ready for our new Guests who arrive later today. 

Photo by the Drone Master Richard smith

Back to Sea

It does not take long to re adapt to the rhythm of Watches and life on board. As long as you are not going upwind! We had some strong gusts in the 30's passing in the Acceleration Zone between and South of Tahiti and Moorea. But by end of the day it was down in the 20s with a more regular sea. But in these conditions we do roll. So Today we are about 1/2 way there.

Photo by Richard Smith

Aitutaki Bound

We are off to Aitutaki, part of the Southern Cook Islands. It lies about 600nm  WSW of Tahiti.

It was a nice morning to get under way but soon we were out of the lee of the big Island and Back "in it". It will not be too much fun coming back. However More looked beautiful as We passed to its South

Photo by Richard Smith

Sunset in Tahiti

Hugo has taken these beautiful sunset photos of us and More in the background. It is not always like this. maybe 1 or 2 times a week. We do get fronts through every few days and the swell, even though we are inside the reef and it is minimal here can be very large outside. However that is next weeks issue..

Marina Tania

We are moored on the West side of Tahiti. Just out of town. We have been back a few weeks and in a detailing mode for the last weeks. Been a very busy last few months with lots of guests and friends onboard. We are off Next week to Aitutaki for another guest cruise. Should be spectacular..It is 600nm West of where we are sitting and slightly off the rhumb line to Tonga a further 600nm downwind. However we are not going there, sadly. 

Ze Bubbles

Ze Bubbles
She has been the perfect tender for the last charters. not fancy but really does a great job. Here in full Bubble Island mode full of guests and toys..

Amen Emerson..

Bora Bora Entrance

Sometimes it rips through here. It always gets your attention, both visually and navigationally..

Blue Waters in Bora Bora

How would you like to Swim here with snorkeling and Jet Ski-ing and that mountain right there?

Emu R Son

Bora Bora Bloody Mary's

After a hard day paddle boarding and Sea bobbing..you need to be fit!!  how about one of Catherine's Bloody Mary's.   Anyone?

Catherine Carr

Rain, Rain, Rain and then more Rain...

We knew it was coming..

Time to move...So at the last minute we decided to hightail it over to Bora Bora. About 24nm . No point sitting here in the rain. The Wind was light but the Swell was building from the South at around 3m. However simple trip and we arrived just before dark and anchored off the Bloody Mary Dock in the SW Corner of the bay.

Tahaa Sunset

After a wonderful day in the water and while sipping a cocktail Sunset over Bora Bora. Shame it looks like poor weather tomorrow. We love this..

Tahaa Pearl Resort

We moved up the West Coast of Tahaa. Inside the reef all the way up to the Tahaa Pearl Resort.

Right behind the boat there is a huge, terrific Coral Garden. Away went the snorkelers.. We hung out in the water for a few hours. Then some jumping off the boat and Sea Bobing.  paddle boarding and finally Dinner. A nice day. looks like rain tomorrow though...:(

Raiatea Motu

We left Huahine behind, for now. and Rosehearty set sail for Raiatea. The Winds were good to start with at 15-18kts from the NE so all sail set off we went at a nice 10 - 11 knots. However after a few hours it lightened and the sails started to slat. So we put them away. We headed by motor through the pass in to the lagoon and round Raiatea to the West side where we anchored off this lovely Motu. Snorkeling, wake boarding and relaxing.

Photos by Lenka..

The BBQ in Bouyrane

On the beach by our anchorage We set up a beach BBQ polynesian style. Our local friends helped with demonstrations of how to open, drink and eat coconuts. How to make Poisson Cru with coconut milk Delicious... Local dancing and singing as well as an amazing BBQ feast.

Marky Mark