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Once all the paperwork with customs onboard Kapowai was complete we then had to go ashore and visit three other buildings all in different parts of town, not ideal on a very hot and sticky day, this is why some people don’t bother stopping in some places, the paperwork is crazy.
On this day I was glad I didn’t carry my big camera, hours later after once the admin was done we found an indoor market, it was so nice to get out of the heat, I grabbed a couple of shots with my iPhone.
Really nice limes, great in a G & T.
Hot chillies to spice up dinner.
Some of the locals.
Tomatoes for the salad.
And last, something to leave behind.
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After another couple of days of open water we arrived in Fiji, not all were as lucky a us, as you can see below.
The reefs around the island were covered in wrecks, some say due to bad weather, some say due to fraudulent behaviour, who knows.
We found our way in without any problems and soon dropped anchor, we had to sit around for a day waiting for customs/immigration folk to come out, so we got a bit of work done, as did some of the locals.
Others needed to do a bit of work.
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View from Takapuna Beach looking toward Rangitoto Island, Auckland.
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Time for a leisurely walk along the water edge, check out the shops and stop for a drink and some lunch.
Streets are so clean, people friendly.
So close to the sea always makes it better.
Could look out to sea all day.
Trader Jacks for lunch.
And of course with a view.
Even the birds were chilling.
A great couple of days spent here, I promise I will be back.
Sad to leave Rarotonga, but what a good-bye.
Next stop Fiji.
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Feeling a lot better after a relaxing 3 day voyage we arrive at Rarotonga, Wow what a difference compared to Tahiti, clean, friendly and not French (Just my opinion).
Lush and very inviting.
Kapowai berthed, time to explore.
First sign I come across and a reminder of the dangers of living so close to the waters edge. I wonder if there is a bar.
Here is one of the local buses, there is only two bus routes, can you guess what the other one is?
An absolutely stunning place, more photos next time.
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We did an overnight trip to Tahiti and arrived around ten in the morning, unfortunately I picked up some sort of virus which really knocked me for six and I didn’t leave Kapowai for a few days, apparently I didn’t miss much, we were berthed close to a main road and the town was pretty dismal. Later we moved down the coast to a nicer mariner passing these guys on the way, actual they passed us.
Passing the end of the runway, we didn’t time it right and have a plane land right over our heads.
Some nice looking holiday huts, I bet they don’t say how close to the runway they are in the glossy brochure.
I think we did a bit of shopping and had a nice meal but I really can’t remember much of Tahiti, I know we fuelled up and headed out to open water again, passing this nice looking island, I think it was Moorea.
Next stop Rarotonga.
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Six days and nights of pretty calm sailing and we arrived at Vaitape, the largest city Bora Bora, first impressions were good.
After visiting customs at the local police station we had a look around town, 15 minutes later we stopped for lunch, tour complete.
One street, a market and the normal visitors tat shops, don’t get me wrong! it’s a loverly place, but I can imagine the tourist keep to the 5 star resorts.
The brightest shop.
So what else to do in Bora Bora, back to Kapowai for a large G&T i think.
Vaitape is the largest city of island Bora Bora in French Polynesia. It has a population of 4,927, about half of the island’s population which is about 9,000. It is located about 130 mi (210 km) northwest of Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. The main language of Vaitape is French, although 20 percent of the population speaks Tahitian.
The area was first settled by early Polynesians who arrived on canoes during the 4th century. The early Polynesians built grass huts and hunted fish with spears and sticks. The Tahitians lost the French Tahitian War making Tahiti and all the other islands belong to France. During the California Gold Rush, many people left Vaitape in search for gold. By the 1900s the population of the area had grown significantly, and during World War II it served as a military supply base, and it had an oil depot, an airstrip, and a seaplane base.
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It wasn’t really boxing day, but we were leaving Christmas Island and it felt like it, it was a great place to visit, friendly people and the food was stunning, but it was time to leave, we were sad to leave, so it sort of had that feeling of boxing day.
We pulled anchor and turned south, we got our day back we had lost and for the next couple of miles had our own farewell feathered entourage.
Next stop Bora Bora.
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We arrived at the hotel and saw the safe delivery of bedding, this is one of the new rooms at the hotel for which said bedding is for.
Rest of the hotel.
A small walk through the grounds and a sign of other guests.
And onto a great view of the lagoon in the centre of the island, apparently one of the best places in the world to snorkel.
We left the hotel for a quick tour of the island, not really a lot to see except coconut tree’s or palm’s, botanically it is a Drupe not a nut.
Some of the local transportation. I can see why as it was very very hot.
Local wildlife.
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