MESSAGE 12 RANGIROA JUNE 17
HELLO ALL
WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING THIS BEAUTIFUL ATOLL FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS. YESTERDAY WE ALL WENT TO THE LOCAL PEARL FARM, THIS TIME CAROL RETURNED TO THE BOAT WITH A BEAUTIFUL PEARL NECKLESS WHILE DAN RETURNED WITH A THINNER WALLET. LAST NIGHT TOM AND I TOOK DAN AND CAROL OUT FOR DINNER TO CELEBRATE THEIR UPCOMING 45th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY (JUNE 27). THE “KAI KAI”, IS A TYPICAL POLYNESIAN RESTAURANT WITH A FRENCH FLAVOR. THE FOOD WAS GREAT.
TODAY WE ARE DOING OUR FINAL PROVISIONING AND TOPPING OFF THE DIESEL TANKS IN PREPARATION FOR OUR FINAL PASSAGE TO HONOLULU WHICH IS ABOUT 2250 MILES NORTHWEST OF HERE. BECAUSE OF THE DIRECTION OF THE WINDS AND CURENTS BOTH BELOW AND ABOVE THE EQUATOR, WE WILL SAIL NORTH UNTIL WE GET A FAVORABLE WIND ANGLE FOR A DIRECT RUN TO HAWAII. THIS MEANS OF COURSE THAT WE WILL TRAVEL MORE THAN 2250 MILES. IT SHOULD TAKE US ABOUT 20-25 DAYS TO MAKE THIS RUN. WILL BE SENDING OUT MESSAGES ALONG THE WAY.
TILL THEN TAKE CARE
TED
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Ted's Log, Stardate June 14th, 2008
MESSAGE 11 RANGIROA JUNE 14
HI ALL
AFTER 3 PLUS DAYS OF BEATING INTO THE WIND, WE DROPPED ANCHOR IN THIS BEAUTIFUL LAGOON 250 MILES NORTH EAST OF BORA BORA. THE FIRST TWO DAYS WERE VERY ROUGH AND SLOW GOING. ON THE THIRD DAY THE WINDS DIED DOWN TO BELOW 10 KNOTS, SO WE DROPPED ALL SAILS AND MOTORED DIRECTLY TO THIS ISLAND
RANGIROA IS THE LARGEST ISLAND IN THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO. THE TUAMOTUS CONSIST OF 78 ISLANDS, ALL BUT TWO BEING CORAL ATOLLS, AND EXTEND ALMOST 1,000 MILES IN A NW-SE DIRECTION. THE ATOLLS HAVE LITTLE GREENERY EXCEPT FOR PALM TREES AND SHORT GRASS. RANGIROA HAS A CIRCUMFERENCE OF ABOUT 100 MILES AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE SECOND LARGEST ATOLL IN THE WORLD. THE RING AROUND THE LAGOON IS FORMED BY 240 MOTUS (SMALL ISLANDS) SEPERATED BY 130 SHALLOW CHANNELS CALLED HOAS. BLACK PEARL FARMING IS THE MAJOR INDUSTRY ON THE ISLAND.
SO FAR WE HAVE HAD OUR LAUNDARY DONE BY LUCY, BOUGHT A CHUNK OF TUNA FROM LUCY (I TOSSED IT TO DAN SO HE COULD BRAG THAT HE CAUGHT A TUNA), TRADED TACO SAUCE MIX FOR A ROASTED CHICKEN FROM LOUIE, BOUGHT PASTRIES AT THE LOCAL STORE, AND FILLED UP OUR DIESEL TANKS. HOWEVER, WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET PROPANE.
CHANGE IN PLANS. ORIGNALLY WE PLANNED TO GO FROM HERE TO THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS THEN ON TO HAWAII. HOWEVER DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS WE ARE GOING TO SAIL DIRECTLY TO HAWAII FROM HERE, LEAVING IN ABOUT A WEEK. IT IS A FAVORITE CRUSIER EXPRESSION THAT “PLANS ARE WRITTEN IN SAND-AT LOW TIDE”.
HAWAII IS ABOUT 2250 MILES NORTHWEST OF RANGIROA AND IT SHOULD TAKE US ABOUT 20 TO 25 DAYS TO MAKE THE TRIP.
TILL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE
TED
HI ALL
AFTER 3 PLUS DAYS OF BEATING INTO THE WIND, WE DROPPED ANCHOR IN THIS BEAUTIFUL LAGOON 250 MILES NORTH EAST OF BORA BORA. THE FIRST TWO DAYS WERE VERY ROUGH AND SLOW GOING. ON THE THIRD DAY THE WINDS DIED DOWN TO BELOW 10 KNOTS, SO WE DROPPED ALL SAILS AND MOTORED DIRECTLY TO THIS ISLAND
RANGIROA IS THE LARGEST ISLAND IN THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO. THE TUAMOTUS CONSIST OF 78 ISLANDS, ALL BUT TWO BEING CORAL ATOLLS, AND EXTEND ALMOST 1,000 MILES IN A NW-SE DIRECTION. THE ATOLLS HAVE LITTLE GREENERY EXCEPT FOR PALM TREES AND SHORT GRASS. RANGIROA HAS A CIRCUMFERENCE OF ABOUT 100 MILES AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE SECOND LARGEST ATOLL IN THE WORLD. THE RING AROUND THE LAGOON IS FORMED BY 240 MOTUS (SMALL ISLANDS) SEPERATED BY 130 SHALLOW CHANNELS CALLED HOAS. BLACK PEARL FARMING IS THE MAJOR INDUSTRY ON THE ISLAND.
SO FAR WE HAVE HAD OUR LAUNDARY DONE BY LUCY, BOUGHT A CHUNK OF TUNA FROM LUCY (I TOSSED IT TO DAN SO HE COULD BRAG THAT HE CAUGHT A TUNA), TRADED TACO SAUCE MIX FOR A ROASTED CHICKEN FROM LOUIE, BOUGHT PASTRIES AT THE LOCAL STORE, AND FILLED UP OUR DIESEL TANKS. HOWEVER, WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET PROPANE.
CHANGE IN PLANS. ORIGNALLY WE PLANNED TO GO FROM HERE TO THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS THEN ON TO HAWAII. HOWEVER DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS WE ARE GOING TO SAIL DIRECTLY TO HAWAII FROM HERE, LEAVING IN ABOUT A WEEK. IT IS A FAVORITE CRUSIER EXPRESSION THAT “PLANS ARE WRITTEN IN SAND-AT LOW TIDE”.
HAWAII IS ABOUT 2250 MILES NORTHWEST OF RANGIROA AND IT SHOULD TAKE US ABOUT 20 TO 25 DAYS TO MAKE THE TRIP.
TILL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE
TED
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ted's Log Stardate June 8th, 2008
MESSAGE 10 BORA BORA 8 JUNE
AHOY MATES,
AFTER DETERMINING THAT TAKING OFF THE RUBBER MEMBRANE COVERING THE SAIL-DRIVE WOULD NOT REQUIRE A HAUL-OUT, WE LEFT THE BOAT YARD IN RAIATEA AND MOTORED OVER TO THE NEIGHBORING ISLAND OF TAHAA WHERE WE PICKED UP A MOORING IN FRONT OF THE HIBISCUS HOTEL AND RESTAURANT. TOM, DAN, AND I WENT ASHORE, HAD MAI TAI’S AND MADE RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER THAT NIGHT.
THE DINNER CONSISTED OF A TAHITITIAN BUFFET WITH TATITIAN MUSIC AND DANCING. THIS TIME I DANCED ON STAGE WITH THE PERFORMERS WHILE CAROL TOOK PICTURES. THE DINNER AND SHOW WERE VERY GOOD, ALBEIT EXPENSIVE. WITH TWO DRINKS THE BILL WAS OVER $100 PER PERSON.
THE NEXT DAY, WEDNESDAY, WE MOVED CAPRICE AND ANCHORED OFF THE TURQUOISE COLORED REEF. WE SNORKELED THE REEF AND SAW HUNDREDS OF BEAUTIFUL SEA CREATURES. THAT AFTERNOON WE MOVED TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND AND PICKED-UP A MOORING IN HUREPITI BAY.
THURSDAY WE LEFT RAIATEA/TAHAA ISLANDS AND WITH THE SPINAKER, SAILED 20 MILES NORTH WEST TO BORA BORA. AFTER WE GOT DIESEL AT THE FUEL DOCK, WE PICKED UP A MOORING IN FRONT OF THE BORA BORA YACHT CLUB. UNFORTUNATLEY THE CLUB WAS BEING REMODELED AND WILL BE CLOSED FOR TWO WEEKS. TOO BAD AS PAT AND I REALLY ENJOYED THE CLUB WHEN WE WERE HERE IN 2002.
MANY PEOPLE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT BORA BORA IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS IN THE WORLD WHAT WITH THE MAJESTIC PEAK OF MONT OTEMANU RISING STRAIGHT UP FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ISLAND, THE COLORFUL (DEEP BLUE TO TURQUOISE) WATERS AND THE STRING OF WHITE-SANDED ISLETS SURROUNDING THE LAGOON. DURING WORLD WAR II, THE U.S. NAVY OCCUPIED THE ISLAND. MOST OF THE ROADS AROUND BORA BORA AND THE RUNWAY FOR THE AIRPORT WERE CONSTRUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD. THE NAVY SURROUDED THE ISLAND WITH 7 INCH CANONS, ONE OF WHICH IS STILL ON THE MOUNTAIN
THE NEXT DAY WE MOVED CAPRICE TO A MOORING IN FRONT OF THE BLOODY MARY’S RESTAURANT WHERE YOU WALK ON SAND FLOORS, CHOOSE YOUR MEAL FROM A FISH AND MEAT DISPLAY AND DINE ON TABLES MADE OF COCONUT WOOD . WE HAD
MIA TIA’S, BLOODY MARYS, LUNCH AND A GREAT DINNER THERE. IF YOU EVER GET TO BORA BORA, DINNER AT BLOODY MARY’S IS A MUST DO.
WE ALSO VISITED A NEARBY PEARL FARM WHERE CAROL TRIED ON A FEW BEAUTIFUL AND EXPENSIVE NECKLACES. HOWEVER, WE LEFT THE FARM WITH NO JEWERLY AND DAN’S WALLET INTACT.
WE STAYED ON BOARD ALL DAY YESTERDAY HAS WE HAD STRONG WINDS WITH GUSTS IN THE HIGH 30’S. THE PLAN IS TO REMAIN HERE TODAY AND LEAVE EARLY TOMORROW FOR THE ISLAND OF RANGIROA IN THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO ABOUT 250 MILES T0 THE NORTHEAST.
TILL THEN, TAKE CARE
TED
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Ted's Log Stardate June 3rd, 2008
MESSAGE 9 RIAITEA, FRENCH POLYNESIA JUNE 3
AHOY FRIENDS,
AFTER 3 DAYS IN THE TIANA MARINA, WE FUELED UP AND SAILED (ACTUALLY MOTORED AS THERE WAS NO WIND AT ALL) TO THE ISLAND OF MOOREA ABOUT 15 MILE WEST OF TAHITI. MOOREA IS SHAPED LIKE THE LETTER “W” WITH TWO DEEP BAYS ON THE NORTH SIDE. OUR FIRST ANCHORAGE WAS DEEP IN COOK’S BAY, A BEAUTIFUL SETTING WITH HIGH MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS ALL AROUND. ONE PEAK, MONT MOUAROA WAS THE BACK DROP IN THE FILM VERSION OF “SOUTH PACIFIC”. COOK’S BAY WAS ALSO THE SETTING FOR THE PICTURE “BOUNTY” WITH MEL GIBSON. THE SECOND NIGHT THERE CAROL, TOM AND MYSELF (DAN WAS NURSING A SORE TOE) WENT TO SHORE AND HAD DINNER AT THE SAME SMALL FRENCH RESTAURANT THAT PAT AND I WITH BOB AND RENEE ATE AT IN 2002. THE LaPATETE MANSION. THE FOOD THIS TIME WAS JUST AS GREAT AS IT WAS BACK THEN. THE NEXT NIGHT WE ALL WENT TO A DINNER AND SAW A TAHITIAN DANCE AT THE FAMOUS BALI HAI HOTEL. CAROL JOINED IN THE DANCING AND WAS THE HIT OF THE NIGHT.
AFTER 3 DAYS AT COOK’S BAY WE MOVE TO OPUNOHU BAY AND ANCHORED AT ITS MOUTH. WHILE THERE WE WENT SNORKLING AND SAW SOME BEAUTIFUL FISH AND A VARIETY OF CORAL. AFTER TWO DAYS WE HAULED ANCHOR AND MOTORED(STILL VERY LITTLE WIND) TO THE ISLAND OF RIATEA 100 MILES NORTHWEST OF MOOREA. MOTORING SLOWLY WE TIED UP AT A DOCK IN THE TOWN UTAROA 24 HOURS LATER.
RIATEA AND THE NEIGHBORING ISLAND OF TAHAA LIE WITHIN THE SAME CORAL REEF. BOTH ISLANDS, AS WITH ALL THE ISLANDS IN FRENCH POLYNESIA, ARE VERY BEAUFTIFUL. AT ONE TIME RAIATEA WAS THE CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CENTER OF THE SOCIETIES.
WE STAYED ON THE DOCK FOR TWO DAYS, WALKED THE TOWN AND HAD A NICE DINNER AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT. THIS MORNING WE MOVED TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND TO A MARINE BOAT YARD. WHEN DAN DOVE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT IN MOOREA HE DISCOVERED THAT A RUBBER MEMBRANE AROUND THE SAIL DRIVE (PART OF THE MOTOR) WAS COMING LOOSE AND HE FELT THAT WE NEEDED TO SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED. AFTER CONSULTING EXPERTS AT THE YARD, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. DAN DOVE THE BOAT AGAIN AND REMOVED THE MEMBRANE. HE WILL GET IT REPLACED THE NEXT TIME THE BOAT IS HAULED.
LATER TODAY WE WILL MOVE OVER TO TAHAA AND AFTER VISITING THERE IT IS ON TO BORA BORA.
TILL NEXT TIME TAKE CARE
TED
AHOY FRIENDS,
AFTER 3 DAYS IN THE TIANA MARINA, WE FUELED UP AND SAILED (ACTUALLY MOTORED AS THERE WAS NO WIND AT ALL) TO THE ISLAND OF MOOREA ABOUT 15 MILE WEST OF TAHITI. MOOREA IS SHAPED LIKE THE LETTER “W” WITH TWO DEEP BAYS ON THE NORTH SIDE. OUR FIRST ANCHORAGE WAS DEEP IN COOK’S BAY, A BEAUTIFUL SETTING WITH HIGH MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS ALL AROUND. ONE PEAK, MONT MOUAROA WAS THE BACK DROP IN THE FILM VERSION OF “SOUTH PACIFIC”. COOK’S BAY WAS ALSO THE SETTING FOR THE PICTURE “BOUNTY” WITH MEL GIBSON. THE SECOND NIGHT THERE CAROL, TOM AND MYSELF (DAN WAS NURSING A SORE TOE) WENT TO SHORE AND HAD DINNER AT THE SAME SMALL FRENCH RESTAURANT THAT PAT AND I WITH BOB AND RENEE ATE AT IN 2002. THE LaPATETE MANSION. THE FOOD THIS TIME WAS JUST AS GREAT AS IT WAS BACK THEN. THE NEXT NIGHT WE ALL WENT TO A DINNER AND SAW A TAHITIAN DANCE AT THE FAMOUS BALI HAI HOTEL. CAROL JOINED IN THE DANCING AND WAS THE HIT OF THE NIGHT.
AFTER 3 DAYS AT COOK’S BAY WE MOVE TO OPUNOHU BAY AND ANCHORED AT ITS MOUTH. WHILE THERE WE WENT SNORKLING AND SAW SOME BEAUTIFUL FISH AND A VARIETY OF CORAL. AFTER TWO DAYS WE HAULED ANCHOR AND MOTORED(STILL VERY LITTLE WIND) TO THE ISLAND OF RIATEA 100 MILES NORTHWEST OF MOOREA. MOTORING SLOWLY WE TIED UP AT A DOCK IN THE TOWN UTAROA 24 HOURS LATER.
RIATEA AND THE NEIGHBORING ISLAND OF TAHAA LIE WITHIN THE SAME CORAL REEF. BOTH ISLANDS, AS WITH ALL THE ISLANDS IN FRENCH POLYNESIA, ARE VERY BEAUFTIFUL. AT ONE TIME RAIATEA WAS THE CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CENTER OF THE SOCIETIES.
WE STAYED ON THE DOCK FOR TWO DAYS, WALKED THE TOWN AND HAD A NICE DINNER AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT. THIS MORNING WE MOVED TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND TO A MARINE BOAT YARD. WHEN DAN DOVE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT IN MOOREA HE DISCOVERED THAT A RUBBER MEMBRANE AROUND THE SAIL DRIVE (PART OF THE MOTOR) WAS COMING LOOSE AND HE FELT THAT WE NEEDED TO SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED. AFTER CONSULTING EXPERTS AT THE YARD, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. DAN DOVE THE BOAT AGAIN AND REMOVED THE MEMBRANE. HE WILL GET IT REPLACED THE NEXT TIME THE BOAT IS HAULED.
LATER TODAY WE WILL MOVE OVER TO TAHAA AND AFTER VISITING THERE IT IS ON TO BORA BORA.
TILL NEXT TIME TAKE CARE
TED
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Ted's Log Stardate May 25, 2008
MESSAGE 8, MARINA TAINA, TAHITI MAY 25
HI All,
AFTER THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS AT THE MARINA IN DOWNTOWN PAPEETE, WE MOVED CAPRICE ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTH TO HERE. THE RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED TAINA MARINE IS MUCH QUIETER, HAS LESS SURGE THAN THE ONE IN PAPEETE AND IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF A LARGE MALL WHICH HAS A WALMART TYPE STORE--GREAT FOR PROVISIONING. THE PAPEETE MARINA IS OK, JUST A LOT OF CITY NOISE DAY AND NIGHT. HOWEVER IT IS CONVENIENT TO THE CITY HIGHLITES. IT IS ABOUT A 20-30 MINUTE BUS RIDE TO PAPETE FROM HERE.
WHILE IN PAPEETE, TOM PERKINS’ FAMOUS YACHT THE “MALTESE FALCON” ARRIVED AND DOCKED NEAR US. TOM PERKINS IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL VENTURE CAPITALIST WHO MADE MILLIONS BACKING SILICON VALLEY BASED COMPANIES SUCH AS GENETIC, GOOGLE, AND NETSCAPE. HE WAS NOVELIST DANIELLE STEEL’S FIFTH HUSBAND AND WAS CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER IN FRANCE FOLLOWING A BOATING ACCIDENT.
THE MALTESE FALCON IS A 130 MILLION DOLLAR STATE OF THE ART 3 MASTED, SQUARE RIGGED CLIPPER YACHT. AT 289 FEET LONG AND 42 FEET WIDE, IT IS THE LARGEST PRIVATELY OWNED SAILING VESSEL IN THE WORLD. EACH OF THE FREE STANDING 192- FOOT HIGH MASTS HAVE 5 SAILS AND CAN ROTATE 180 DEGREES. THE NAVAGATION STATION LOOKS LIKE A STAR WARS SET. IN FACT THIS YACHT COULD HAVE BEEN DARTH VADER’S SPACE SHIP. QUITE A SIGHT!
A LITTLE ABOUT PAPEETE AND TAHITI.. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, PAT AND I SAILED HERE IN 2002 WITH BOB AND RENEE MILLER ON THEIR BOAT “WANDERING STAR”. OUTSIDE OF THE NEW MARINAS, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED. PAPEETE IS A TYPICAL EUPOPEAN
SEA-SIDE CITY: HEAVY TRAFFIC, NOISY, EXPENSIVE RESTAURANTS, SIDE WALK CAFES, BARS, SHOPS CATERING TO TOURISTS, AND ORNATE CATHEDRALS. IT IS A GREAT, BUT VERY EXPENSIVE PLACE TO REPROVISION, GET FUEL, BOAT PARTS, DO LAUNDRY ETC. EXAMPLES OF EXPENSIVE: $10.00 FOR ONE WASH IN A LAUNDROMAT AND $5 MORE TO DRY, $25.00 FOR A CASE OF COKE (SMALL CANS), $50.00 FOR A CASE OF LOCAL BEER, AND $5.00 FOR A SMALL PACKAGE OF PRETZELS. FUEL, MEAT, FISH AND SOME VEGGIES ARE MORE REASONABLE.
TAHITI IS THE LARGEST AND MOST POPULATED ISLAND IN FRENCH POLNESIA. IT IS SHAPED LIKE THE FIGURE 8 AS A RESULT OF TWO AJACENT VOLCANOES. THE LARGEST PART OF THE FIGURE IS KNOW AS TAHITI NUI, AND THE OTHER, TAHITI ITI. IT IS PART OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS WHICH ALSO CONTAINS THE ISLANDS OF MOOREA, RAIATEA, AND BORA BORA IT WAS “DISCOVERED” BY ENGLISHMAN SAMUEL WALLIS IN 1767. THE NEXT YEAR FRENCH NAVIGATOR ANTOINE de BOUGAINVILLE NAMED IT “NEW CYTHERA”. A YEAR LATER CAPTIAN COOK TOOK POSSESSION OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS FOR ENGLAND. TAHITI WAS THE SITE OF CAPTAIN BLY’S BREADFRUIT EXPEDITION WHICH LED TO THE FAMOUS “HMS BOUNTY” MUTINY. IN THE 19TH CENTURY FRANCE TOOK POSSESSION OF ALL THE SUROUNDING ISLAND GROUPS, INCLUDING THE TUAMOTUS, MARQUESAS’, THE GAMBIERS, THE AUSTRALS AS WELL AS ALL THE SOCIETY ISLANDS. IN 1958 THE FRENCH NAMED THE ISLAND GROUP “FRENCH POLYNESIA”.
.
WE WILL BE LEAVING HERE IN A DAY OR SO AND VISITING THE OTHER SOCITY ISLANDS STARTING WITH MOOREA. LET THE FUN BEGIN! TILL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE
TED
HI All,
AFTER THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS AT THE MARINA IN DOWNTOWN PAPEETE, WE MOVED CAPRICE ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTH TO HERE. THE RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED TAINA MARINE IS MUCH QUIETER, HAS LESS SURGE THAN THE ONE IN PAPEETE AND IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF A LARGE MALL WHICH HAS A WALMART TYPE STORE--GREAT FOR PROVISIONING. THE PAPEETE MARINA IS OK, JUST A LOT OF CITY NOISE DAY AND NIGHT. HOWEVER IT IS CONVENIENT TO THE CITY HIGHLITES. IT IS ABOUT A 20-30 MINUTE BUS RIDE TO PAPETE FROM HERE.
WHILE IN PAPEETE, TOM PERKINS’ FAMOUS YACHT THE “MALTESE FALCON” ARRIVED AND DOCKED NEAR US. TOM PERKINS IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL VENTURE CAPITALIST WHO MADE MILLIONS BACKING SILICON VALLEY BASED COMPANIES SUCH AS GENETIC, GOOGLE, AND NETSCAPE. HE WAS NOVELIST DANIELLE STEEL’S FIFTH HUSBAND AND WAS CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER IN FRANCE FOLLOWING A BOATING ACCIDENT.
THE MALTESE FALCON IS A 130 MILLION DOLLAR STATE OF THE ART 3 MASTED, SQUARE RIGGED CLIPPER YACHT. AT 289 FEET LONG AND 42 FEET WIDE, IT IS THE LARGEST PRIVATELY OWNED SAILING VESSEL IN THE WORLD. EACH OF THE FREE STANDING 192- FOOT HIGH MASTS HAVE 5 SAILS AND CAN ROTATE 180 DEGREES. THE NAVAGATION STATION LOOKS LIKE A STAR WARS SET. IN FACT THIS YACHT COULD HAVE BEEN DARTH VADER’S SPACE SHIP. QUITE A SIGHT!
A LITTLE ABOUT PAPEETE AND TAHITI.. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, PAT AND I SAILED HERE IN 2002 WITH BOB AND RENEE MILLER ON THEIR BOAT “WANDERING STAR”. OUTSIDE OF THE NEW MARINAS, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED. PAPEETE IS A TYPICAL EUPOPEAN
SEA-SIDE CITY: HEAVY TRAFFIC, NOISY, EXPENSIVE RESTAURANTS, SIDE WALK CAFES, BARS, SHOPS CATERING TO TOURISTS, AND ORNATE CATHEDRALS. IT IS A GREAT, BUT VERY EXPENSIVE PLACE TO REPROVISION, GET FUEL, BOAT PARTS, DO LAUNDRY ETC. EXAMPLES OF EXPENSIVE: $10.00 FOR ONE WASH IN A LAUNDROMAT AND $5 MORE TO DRY, $25.00 FOR A CASE OF COKE (SMALL CANS), $50.00 FOR A CASE OF LOCAL BEER, AND $5.00 FOR A SMALL PACKAGE OF PRETZELS. FUEL, MEAT, FISH AND SOME VEGGIES ARE MORE REASONABLE.
TAHITI IS THE LARGEST AND MOST POPULATED ISLAND IN FRENCH POLNESIA. IT IS SHAPED LIKE THE FIGURE 8 AS A RESULT OF TWO AJACENT VOLCANOES. THE LARGEST PART OF THE FIGURE IS KNOW AS TAHITI NUI, AND THE OTHER, TAHITI ITI. IT IS PART OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS WHICH ALSO CONTAINS THE ISLANDS OF MOOREA, RAIATEA, AND BORA BORA IT WAS “DISCOVERED” BY ENGLISHMAN SAMUEL WALLIS IN 1767. THE NEXT YEAR FRENCH NAVIGATOR ANTOINE de BOUGAINVILLE NAMED IT “NEW CYTHERA”. A YEAR LATER CAPTIAN COOK TOOK POSSESSION OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS FOR ENGLAND. TAHITI WAS THE SITE OF CAPTAIN BLY’S BREADFRUIT EXPEDITION WHICH LED TO THE FAMOUS “HMS BOUNTY” MUTINY. IN THE 19TH CENTURY FRANCE TOOK POSSESSION OF ALL THE SUROUNDING ISLAND GROUPS, INCLUDING THE TUAMOTUS, MARQUESAS’, THE GAMBIERS, THE AUSTRALS AS WELL AS ALL THE SOCIETY ISLANDS. IN 1958 THE FRENCH NAMED THE ISLAND GROUP “FRENCH POLYNESIA”.
.
WE WILL BE LEAVING HERE IN A DAY OR SO AND VISITING THE OTHER SOCITY ISLANDS STARTING WITH MOOREA. LET THE FUN BEGIN! TILL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE
TED
Ted's Log Stardate May 22, 2008
MESSAGE 7, MAY 22, PAPEETE, TAHITI
HELLO FROM TAHITI,
WE ARRIVED HERE TUESDAY MORNING AFTER A 3 DAY SAIL NORTH FROM TUBUAI. WE LEFT THERE SATURDAY AT 1030 HOURS. WHILE RAISING THE SAIL ON OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO LEAVE, THE STEERING MECHANISM JAMMED. WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP BACK TO THE ANCHORAGE AND AFTER AN HOUR, DAN AND TOM FOUND AND FIXED THE PROBLEM--A CABLE HAD JUMP A PULLEY. WE HAULED THE ANCHOR AGAIN, RAISED SAILS AND HEADED NORTH.
FOR MOST OF THE FRIST TWO DAYS WE HAD 20 PLUS WINDS FROM THE SOUTHWEST (GOOD), HOWEVER WE ALSO HAD VERY ROUGH SEAS AND PASSED THROUGH ONE SQUALL AFTER ANOTHER (NOT GOOD).
THE FIRST NIGHT (ACTUALLY 0300 THE NEXT MORNING) WE WERE HIT WITH A SQUALL WITH WINDS IN THE 30 PLUS RANGE AND WITH SOME DIFFICULTY THE FOUR OF US WERE ABLE TO PUT A THIRD REEF IN THE MAINSAIL (REDUCED SAIL AREA). THE NEXT NIGHT WE HAD WINDS NEAR 40 KNOTS, AND A SUDDEN GUST CAUSED THE SAIL TO JIBE (WIND PASSING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE SAIL TO THE OTHER). BECAUSE WE HAD A PREVENTER ON ( A LINE HOLDING THE BOOM TO THE LEEWARD SIDE OF THE BOAT), THE BOAT WAS TURNED INTO THE WIND AND ESSENTIALLY PUTTING THE BOAT IN A HEAVE-TO SITUATION (STALLED). AGAIN ALL HANDS ON DECK TO GET THE PROBLEM SORTED OUT. WITH THE SQUALLS AND ROUGH SEAS THE FIRST 48 HOURS WAS LIKE A MR TOADS WILD RIDE.
THE THIRD DAY THE WINDS QUIETED DOWN CONSIDERABLY WITH SOUTHERLY WINDS IN THE 8-10 KNOT RANGE. WE HAD A GREAT DAY, NO SQUALLS AND CLEAR SKIES. DURING THE NIGHT WE LOST MOST OF OUR WIND AND WE MOTOR-SAILED THE REMAINDER OF OUR PASSAGE OVER FLAT SEAS. WE ARRIVE ALONG THE TAHITIAN COASTLINE DURING A BEAUTIFULL SUNRISE.
WE CELEBRATED OUR ARRIVAL WITH BLOODY MARYS AND SNACKS ON THE SAILING VESSEL “PEREGRINE”. WE HAD CONNECTED WITH THEM IN TUBUIA AND THE TWO OF US BUDDY-BOATED DURING OUR SAIL HERE. DAN, CAROL AND TOM HAD MET MIKE AND TRACEY, OWNERS OF PEREGRINE IN NEW ZEALAND. WE WERE IN E-MAIL AND RADIO CONTACT WITH THEM DURING OUR PASSAGE FROM OPUA.
WE ARE NOW MED-MOORED (STERN TO THE SLIP) TO A BRAND NEW DOCK IN DOWNTOWN PAPEETE. WHILE HERE WE WILL CLEAN-UP, FIX PROBLEMS, DO MAINTENCE PROJECTS ON THE BOAT, DO LAUNDRY ETC., KICK BACK AND ENJOY THE FRUITS OF PARADISE.
WILL WRITE MORE ON PAPEETE, AND TAHITI IN MY NEXT RAMBLING.
TILL THEN, TAKE CARE
TED
HELLO FROM TAHITI,
WE ARRIVED HERE TUESDAY MORNING AFTER A 3 DAY SAIL NORTH FROM TUBUAI. WE LEFT THERE SATURDAY AT 1030 HOURS. WHILE RAISING THE SAIL ON OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO LEAVE, THE STEERING MECHANISM JAMMED. WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP BACK TO THE ANCHORAGE AND AFTER AN HOUR, DAN AND TOM FOUND AND FIXED THE PROBLEM--A CABLE HAD JUMP A PULLEY. WE HAULED THE ANCHOR AGAIN, RAISED SAILS AND HEADED NORTH.
FOR MOST OF THE FRIST TWO DAYS WE HAD 20 PLUS WINDS FROM THE SOUTHWEST (GOOD), HOWEVER WE ALSO HAD VERY ROUGH SEAS AND PASSED THROUGH ONE SQUALL AFTER ANOTHER (NOT GOOD).
THE FIRST NIGHT (ACTUALLY 0300 THE NEXT MORNING) WE WERE HIT WITH A SQUALL WITH WINDS IN THE 30 PLUS RANGE AND WITH SOME DIFFICULTY THE FOUR OF US WERE ABLE TO PUT A THIRD REEF IN THE MAINSAIL (REDUCED SAIL AREA). THE NEXT NIGHT WE HAD WINDS NEAR 40 KNOTS, AND A SUDDEN GUST CAUSED THE SAIL TO JIBE (WIND PASSING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE SAIL TO THE OTHER). BECAUSE WE HAD A PREVENTER ON ( A LINE HOLDING THE BOOM TO THE LEEWARD SIDE OF THE BOAT), THE BOAT WAS TURNED INTO THE WIND AND ESSENTIALLY PUTTING THE BOAT IN A HEAVE-TO SITUATION (STALLED). AGAIN ALL HANDS ON DECK TO GET THE PROBLEM SORTED OUT. WITH THE SQUALLS AND ROUGH SEAS THE FIRST 48 HOURS WAS LIKE A MR TOADS WILD RIDE.
THE THIRD DAY THE WINDS QUIETED DOWN CONSIDERABLY WITH SOUTHERLY WINDS IN THE 8-10 KNOT RANGE. WE HAD A GREAT DAY, NO SQUALLS AND CLEAR SKIES. DURING THE NIGHT WE LOST MOST OF OUR WIND AND WE MOTOR-SAILED THE REMAINDER OF OUR PASSAGE OVER FLAT SEAS. WE ARRIVE ALONG THE TAHITIAN COASTLINE DURING A BEAUTIFULL SUNRISE.
WE CELEBRATED OUR ARRIVAL WITH BLOODY MARYS AND SNACKS ON THE SAILING VESSEL “PEREGRINE”. WE HAD CONNECTED WITH THEM IN TUBUIA AND THE TWO OF US BUDDY-BOATED DURING OUR SAIL HERE. DAN, CAROL AND TOM HAD MET MIKE AND TRACEY, OWNERS OF PEREGRINE IN NEW ZEALAND. WE WERE IN E-MAIL AND RADIO CONTACT WITH THEM DURING OUR PASSAGE FROM OPUA.
WE ARE NOW MED-MOORED (STERN TO THE SLIP) TO A BRAND NEW DOCK IN DOWNTOWN PAPEETE. WHILE HERE WE WILL CLEAN-UP, FIX PROBLEMS, DO MAINTENCE PROJECTS ON THE BOAT, DO LAUNDRY ETC., KICK BACK AND ENJOY THE FRUITS OF PARADISE.
WILL WRITE MORE ON PAPEETE, AND TAHITI IN MY NEXT RAMBLING.
TILL THEN, TAKE CARE
TED
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Ted's Log Stardate May 16, 2008
MESSAGE 6 MAY 16
LATITUDE 32 DEGREES 21 MINUTES SOUTH: LONGITUDE 149 DEGREES 30 MINUTES WEST MATAURA, TUBUAI
BONJOUR,
WE MADE IT!! DROPPED ANCHOR IN THIS LOVELY HARBOR IN FRONT OF THE SMALL TOWN MATAURA ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI AT 2130 HRS. (NEW ZEALAND
TIME) MAY 14 (TUBUAI DATE). IT TOOK US 18 DAYS 8 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE TRIP.
FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS AT SEA WE HAD VERY LIGHT WINDS RESULTING IN MOTORING VERY SLOWLY TO CONSERVE FUEL FOR ABOUT 30 HOURS. THE LAST DAY WE WERE ABLE TO FLY THE SPINNAKER IN 5-8 KNOTS OF WIND DOING 4-5 KNOTS OF SPEED.
WE ARRIVE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOR AFTER DARK AND MADE THE DECISION TO ENTER INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR DAYLIGHT. THE ENTRANCE IS EXTREMELY WELL LIGHTED WITH FLASHING GREEN AND RED MARKERS ALONG THE ROUTE AND WE HAD NO PROBLEMS GETTING TO THIS ANCHORAGE.
WE CELEBRATED OUR ACCOMPLISHMENT WITH COCKTAILS, WINE AND A LATE DINNER OF BUTTERED CHICKEN.
TUBIA IS ONE OF SEVEN ISLANDS FIVE OF WHICH ARE INHABITED IN HE AUSTRAL ISLANDS WHICH ARE A PART OF FRENCH POLYNESIA. IT IS A HIGH VOLCANIC ISLAND ABOUT 5 MILES LONG AND 3 MILES WIDE AND IS SURROUNDED BY A BARRIER REEF MEASURING 9 MILES BY 6 MILES. IT HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 2000 AND HAS 6 SMALL TOWNS/VILLAGES THE PRINCIPLE ONE BEING MATAURA. THE TOWN HAS A COUPLE OF GROCERY STORES, ONE GAS STATION, BANK, POST OFFICE AND A RESTAURANT.
CAPTAIN COOK DISCOVERED THIS ISLAND IN 1777. IN 1789 THE MUTINEERS FROM THE HMS BOUNTY LANDED HERE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SETTLEMENT.
THE LOCALS REJECTED THIS INVASION AND VIOLENCE BROKE OUT RESULTING IN
66 NATIVES BEING KILLED. THE MUTINEERS EVENTUALLY LEFT TUBUAI AND ENDED UP SETTLING ON PITCAIRN ISLAND 1060 MILES TO THE EAST.
ON OUR FIRST DAY HERE DAN CHECKED US IN WITH THE LOCAL GENDARMES, AFTER WHICH WE DID A LITTLE GROCERY SHOPPING AND EXPERIENCED STICKER SHOCK. EXAMPLE: $12.00 U.S. FOR A FEW LEAVES OF LETTUCE! LATER WE JERRY CANNED ABOUT 40 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL FROM THE GAS STATION TO THE BOAT.
OUR PLANS ARE TO STAY HERE A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WHEN WE HAVE A FAVORABLE WEATHER WINDOW, HEAD TO PAPEETE, TAHITI ABOUT 350 MILES DUE NORTH.
TILL NEXT TIME TAKE CARE
TED
LATITUDE 32 DEGREES 21 MINUTES SOUTH: LONGITUDE 149 DEGREES 30 MINUTES WEST MATAURA, TUBUAI
BONJOUR,
WE MADE IT!! DROPPED ANCHOR IN THIS LOVELY HARBOR IN FRONT OF THE SMALL TOWN MATAURA ON THE ISLAND OF TUBUAI AT 2130 HRS. (NEW ZEALAND
TIME) MAY 14 (TUBUAI DATE). IT TOOK US 18 DAYS 8 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE TRIP.
FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS AT SEA WE HAD VERY LIGHT WINDS RESULTING IN MOTORING VERY SLOWLY TO CONSERVE FUEL FOR ABOUT 30 HOURS. THE LAST DAY WE WERE ABLE TO FLY THE SPINNAKER IN 5-8 KNOTS OF WIND DOING 4-5 KNOTS OF SPEED.
WE ARRIVE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOR AFTER DARK AND MADE THE DECISION TO ENTER INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR DAYLIGHT. THE ENTRANCE IS EXTREMELY WELL LIGHTED WITH FLASHING GREEN AND RED MARKERS ALONG THE ROUTE AND WE HAD NO PROBLEMS GETTING TO THIS ANCHORAGE.
WE CELEBRATED OUR ACCOMPLISHMENT WITH COCKTAILS, WINE AND A LATE DINNER OF BUTTERED CHICKEN.
TUBIA IS ONE OF SEVEN ISLANDS FIVE OF WHICH ARE INHABITED IN HE AUSTRAL ISLANDS WHICH ARE A PART OF FRENCH POLYNESIA. IT IS A HIGH VOLCANIC ISLAND ABOUT 5 MILES LONG AND 3 MILES WIDE AND IS SURROUNDED BY A BARRIER REEF MEASURING 9 MILES BY 6 MILES. IT HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 2000 AND HAS 6 SMALL TOWNS/VILLAGES THE PRINCIPLE ONE BEING MATAURA. THE TOWN HAS A COUPLE OF GROCERY STORES, ONE GAS STATION, BANK, POST OFFICE AND A RESTAURANT.
CAPTAIN COOK DISCOVERED THIS ISLAND IN 1777. IN 1789 THE MUTINEERS FROM THE HMS BOUNTY LANDED HERE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SETTLEMENT.
THE LOCALS REJECTED THIS INVASION AND VIOLENCE BROKE OUT RESULTING IN
66 NATIVES BEING KILLED. THE MUTINEERS EVENTUALLY LEFT TUBUAI AND ENDED UP SETTLING ON PITCAIRN ISLAND 1060 MILES TO THE EAST.
ON OUR FIRST DAY HERE DAN CHECKED US IN WITH THE LOCAL GENDARMES, AFTER WHICH WE DID A LITTLE GROCERY SHOPPING AND EXPERIENCED STICKER SHOCK. EXAMPLE: $12.00 U.S. FOR A FEW LEAVES OF LETTUCE! LATER WE JERRY CANNED ABOUT 40 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL FROM THE GAS STATION TO THE BOAT.
OUR PLANS ARE TO STAY HERE A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WHEN WE HAVE A FAVORABLE WEATHER WINDOW, HEAD TO PAPEETE, TAHITI ABOUT 350 MILES DUE NORTH.
TILL NEXT TIME TAKE CARE
TED
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