2 Weeks in..

Hi all, a quick update as to what has been going on in this part of the world. Thanks to S for summarising what has been happening over the last 2 weeks, the days at the dock are blending together and it is difficult to differentiate one from the next.

December 14/15th: Arrived in Papeete, Tahiti at around 22.30 after a relaxing flight and spent the next 3 hours at the airport trying to locate our 6 checked in bags. Not so relaxing anymore. Finally hopped in a taxi and headed to our accommodation at the Manava Suites. Fancy room! Fortunately the airline provided 'misplaced luggage' packs so we all had toothbrushes etc. and lets not forget the XL size PJ's for all of us!

Check H rocking' it!

December 15th: Relaxing day, went swimming in the resort infinity pool (in our underwear), drank apple juice at the pool bar, then went to the hotel restaurant for lunch.

H had a huge burger!

December 16th: First visit to the boat, thumbs up from the kids. P is not looking forward to the cleaning. Another afternoon of swimming in the pool.

December 17th: Our luggage arrived, woo hoo! Moved onto the boat in the pouring rain and started cleaning. Out to dinner at the local marina restaurant and devoured a metre-long pizza!

December 18th: Went to the Carrefour (supermarket) and started stocking up. More cleaning..

December 19th: Guess what? More cleaning and fixing boat stuff. P even looks like she's enjoying herself..

December 20th: Went downtown to apply for a carte de jour (long term visas) then spent ages trying to find the right bus stop to get back to our boat (again in the pouring rain).

December 21st: More cleaning, shopping, boat stuff and the highlight for the kids, they met some new friends from another boat out in the anchorage. Home made Subway for lunch.

December 24th: Got the dinghy running and went for a spin around the anchorage and out to the reef. Kids went wakeboarding with their new friends. Sent S up the mast to check the rigging. Just like rock climbing!

(Note the plank in the previous photo, kids loved walking it, however wasn't so good when another fellow and I carried 40kgs of life raft across. Made it halfway when we heard it cracking, sounded like a pistol going off. Had us both freaking a bit)

December 25th: Christmas! Pressies, more swimming, then a long lunch with our new friends and another couple on board (the dessert was really good).

December 27th: Guess what? More swimming, cleaning, fixing stuff etc. Sent the kids off to French Polynesian McDonalds for lunch.

December 28th: Playdate for the kids.

December 31st: Was a ride in the dinghies to town (approximately 8 kilometres) for dinner at the food trucks on the Plaza and a play, followed by sitting on our friends boat in the anchorage to watch the fireworks. May have been a slight mishap running into the reef at about 10:30pm in the pitch black on the way back. Oops (blaming the unlit channel markers)

The planning begins. Heading out of the marina tomorrow to head for Moorea. Most of the big jobs done, time to relax and enjoy. Hope all have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, bring on 2017!