Fakarava!

Hi everyone! When last we left you we had returned to Tahiti and had begun to address the repair of various essential boat systems (no, not the beer fridge, that was fine - priorities people!). About 2 weeks ago lousy weather was threatening Tahiti, so we figured that to be a good reason to move on.

Bye bye Tahiti!

We had a reasonable passage, started with plenty of wind for an enjoyable sail, punctuated with lots of squalls to keep us all clean. Sunrises were spectacular!

After a 2 night 3 day sail/motor we arrived at the beautiful atoll of Fakarava!​

A squall greeted us as we motored up to the anchorage. When it rains here it really rains. Ahh the tropics..

Fortunately, after a couple of days the sun came back and we have been blessed with beautiful weather since.

The sailing inside the atoll is magnificent, hardly any waves and enough wind to have us moving along at a comfortable 6-7 knots. We visited the motu’s of Rotoava, Pohatuteruki, Hirifa, Tetamanu (South Pass) and then back North to Tapehopu.

A visit to the main town, Rotoava

And shore party, kids style

Easy sailing between motus

J on bommie watch between anchorages

Hirifa was the most beautiful anchorage, a beautiful pink sand beach to play on, we found a little inlet with baby reef sharks, a moray eel and lots of fish life so thoroughly enjoyed snorkelling here. We swam off the boat, did some much needed cleaning of the hull whilst here and lazed about a little.

Chinese Laundry and back when we had fresh food. ahhh.

Thanks to our amazing chefs we have been eating exceptionally well

The remoras are enjoying the cooking as well..

Kids love taking underwater photos and are getting better

G was fortunate enough to go for 2 dives at the South pass with great visibility, lots of coral and fish life, including heaps of sharks, lion fish and big groupers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBLOC-NgRvY

Everyone else got to drift snorkel through the pass several times, the view from snorkelling was nearly as good as down below!

Check out our trainee free divers..

P thought Tetamanu was like an episode of Survivor.

The church (apparently the oldest in the atolls) had the most amazing mother of pearl altar

Then back to Rotoava to stock up on supplies. The supply ship from Tahiti is expected to arrive today, the last one was over 2 months ago! Mum and Dad are looking forward to fresh veggies (and other things..), not so much the kids.

The following day should see us heading to Toau as we head Northwest up the chain of atolls. More adventuring to be done!

Oh yeah, we found the island where the Skipper and Gilligan ended up….

P.S. Did you spot the duck Sis?