MESSAGE 14 2 JULY LATITUDE: 14 DEGREES NORTH LONGITUDE: 153
DEGREES WEST
DAY 15
HOWDY ALL
TWO THINGS IN THE LAST MESSAGE THAT I FAILED TO MENTION WHEN DISCUSSING THE EQUATOR CROSSING. FIRST--IN ADDITION TO GIVING NEPTUNE FOOD (SPAM) AND DRINK (WINE), CAROL DONATED HER BREAD-MAKER WHICH FAILED TO RECUPERATE FROM THE DAMAGE THAT IT RECEIVED DURING IT'S FLIGHT TO AUKLAND. HOPEFULLY NEPTUNE CAN FIX IT AND PUT IT TO GOOD USE.
SECOND--WE PUT A MESSAGE IN A WINE BOTTLE (EMPTY) WITH OUR NAMES AND EMAIL ADDRESSES IN IT AND TOSSED IT OVERBOARD.
AFTER CROSSING THE EQUATOR AND TURNING NORTHWEST TOWARD HAWAII, UNDER THE SPINNAKER ALONE, IN 10 TO 15 KNOTS OF WIND OVER THE STERN AND FOLLOWING SEAS, I EXPERIENCED THE BEST TWO DAYS OF SAILING EVER. IN 48 HOURS WE LOGGED OVER 300 MILES. SMOOTH AND FAST!!
HOWEVER ON THE THIRD DAY WE ENTERED THE DREADED INTER TROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE (ITCZ) WHICH IS THE AREA SEPARATING THE SOUTHEAST TRADE WINDS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE FROM THE NORTHEAST TRADES IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. THIS ZONE CAN HAVE WEATHER RANGING FROM DEAD CALM (DOLDRUMS) TO SEVERE SQUALLS AND THUNDERSTORMS. ITS DISTANCE ACROSS CAN BE AS MUCH AS 600 MILES TO LESS THAN 60. IN OUR CASE WE HAD NO WIND AND ONLY TWO SMALL SQUALLS DURING THE 39 HOURS IT TOOK US TO MOTOR THROUGH 120 MILES OF THE ZONE.
DURING OUR TIME IN THE DOLDRUMS DAN DID MANAGE TO LAND A FUNNY LOOKING SQUID AND A LONG SKINNY BARRACUDA IN A SEA OF GARBAGE THAT PROBABLY HAD BEEN RECENTLY DUMPED BY A PASSING SHIP. BOTH WERE RELEASED BACK IN TO THE DUMP. DAN DID MANAGE TO LAND A TUNA LATER IN MUCH CLEANER WATERS WHICH CAROL MADE 6 MEALS FROM (4 DINNERS AND TWO LUNCHES). ON THE 27TH WE CELEBRATED DAN AND CAROL'S 45TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND CROSSING THE MIDWAY POINT OF THE PASSAGE WITH OUR LAST BOTTLE OF WINE.
AFTER ESCAPING THE ITCZ WE PICKED UP THE NORTHEAST TRADES AND HAVE BEEN MAKING EXCELLENT TIME IN 10-18 KNOTS OF WIND. AS OF 1000 HRS TODAY WE ARE 514 MILES FROM OUR DESTINATION AND WE SHOULD BE THERE BY SUNDAY.
I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT DO YOU DO TO PASS THE TIME ON THAT SMALL MOVING PLASTIC ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA. WELL, THE THREE THINGS THAT TAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF OUR TIME ARE SLEEPING, READING AND STANDING WATCHES (IN CAROL'S CASE, AKA ADMIRAL COOKIE, PREPARING THREE MEALS A DAY FOR 4 PEOPLE). THE WATCH PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THE BOAT IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THAT THE SAILS ARE TRIMMED, DETERMINING WHEN TO REEF/UN-REEF THE SAILS, CALLING UP HELP IF THE SITUATION SO DICTATES, AND MOST IMPORTANT MAKE SURE THE BOAT DOESN'T RUN IN TO ANYTHING. THE WATCH SCHEDULE THAT WE HAVE ADOPTED GOES LIKE THIS: I COME ON AT 2100 HRS, DAN AT MIDNIGHT AND TOM AT 0300 HOURS, I COME BACK ON AT 0600 HRS AND STAY UNTIL 1100 HRS, DAN NEXT AND TOM IS ON FROM 1600 TO 2100 HRS. THIS SCHEDULE WORKS WELL FOR ALL OF US. OTHER THINGS THAT OCCUPY OUR TIME INCLUDE PLAYING CARDS, TELLING TALL TAILS AND JOKES, EATING, WATCHING MOVIES, WRITING LOGS, FIXING THINGS THAT BREAK, MAINTAINING THINGS THAT NEED ATTENTION AND FINALLY JUST ENJOYING THE SAILING: THE WIND AND THE SEA, BEAUTIFUL SUNRISES AND SUNSETS, AND EXTREMELY CLEAR STARRY SKIES (A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AGO WE SAW BOTH THE SOUTHERN CROSS AND THE BIG DIPPER IN THE SAME SKY). WE ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME!
TILL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE
TED
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ted's Log Stardate June 26th, 2008
MESSAGE 13 25 JUNE LATITUDE: 00 DEGREES O MINUTES, LONGITUDE: 146
DEGREES 04 MINUTES WEST
HI ALL,
AT 1401 HRS. LOCAL TIME, SAILING WITH SPINNAKER ONLY, CAPRICE AND CREW PASSED OVER THE EQUATOR INTO THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE GOING FROM WINTER TO SUMMER!! WE HAD A SPECIAL CEREMONY CHANGING THE STATUS OF DAN AND CAROL FROM TADPOLE TO SHELLBACK. BOTH TOM AND I ARE SHELLBACKS HAVING CROSSED THE EQUATOR IN A SUBMARINE (TOM) AND A SAILBOAT(ME). WE THEN CELEBRATED THE EVENT WITH A FINE FEAST OF FRENCH PATES, AMERICAN HONEY ROASTED CASHEWS, NEW ZEALAND ASPARAGUS, CANADIAN SARDINES, FRENCH BRIE, TAHITIAN BAGGETTS, AND FRENCH WINE. WE MADE SURE NEPTUNE GOT HIS SHARE.
IT TOOK US 7 DAYS AND 4 HOURS TO SAIL THE 900 MILES NORTH AND SLIGHTLY EAST FROM RANGIROA TO THE EQUATOR. WE RAISED THE ANCHOR AT 1000 HOURS ON JUNE 18. THE DAY BEFORE WE LEFT, THE "MALTEASE FALCON" THAT WE SAW IN PAPEETE, DROPPED ANCHOR RIGHT NEXT TO US. AN AMAZING SIGHT.
ON OUR FIRST DAY OUT WE HAD VERY LIGHT WINDS RESULTING IN US MOTOR SAILING SLOWLY ALL DAY AND NIGHT. DAN DID MANAGE TO LAND A 30 INCH MACKEREL WHICH CAROL COOKED FOR DINNER THAT NIGHT. JUST AFTER SUNSET, WE GOT HIT WITH A SQUALL. AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED, WITH A FULL MOON RISING IN THE EAST WE SAW A NIGHTTIME 180 DEGREE RAINBOW IN THE WESTERN SKY. WITH THE NAKED EYE IT DID NOT HAVE THE COLORS OF A DAYTIME BOW. HOWEVER WITH BINOCULARS WE COULD SEE SOME COLORS. NONE OF US HAD EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE.
THE SECOND DAY THE WINDS PICKED UP TO 12 - 15 KNOTS FROM THE EAST AND STAYED THAT WAY FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS. DURING THIS TIME WE REMAINED ON THE SAME TACK (STARBOARD) EXCEPT FOR TW0 360 DEGREE MANEUVERS RESULTING IN A TACK AND A JIBE TO GET BACK ON COURSE. THE FIRST WAS CAUSED BY "AUTO" THE AUTOHELM AND THE SECOND OCCURRED WHEN DAN WAS TRYING TO LAND A FISH (HE DIDN'T). OUR POINTS OF SAIL FOR THESE FIVE DAYS RANGED FROM CLOSE REACH (WIND ABOUT 45 DEGREES OFF THE BOW) TO A BEAM REACH (WIND PERPENDICULAR TO THE BOAT). WE MADE EXCELLENT TIME DURING THESE DAYS LOGGING 119, 136, 151, 141 AND 128 MILES FOR EACH 24 HOUR PERIOD.
YESTERDAY THE WIND CLOCKED AROUND TO THE SOUTH AND DROPPED BELOW 7 KNOTS. WE SAILED SLOWLY AND MOTOR SAILED FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS. TODAY THE WINDS PICKED UP TO 10-11 KNOTS AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING 5-6 KNOTS WITH ONLY THE SPINNAKER.
HAVING PASSED OVER THE EQUATOR, WE ARE NOW SAILING IN A NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION, DIRECTLY TOWARD HAWAII. AS OF THIS MORNING WE WERE 1470 MILES FROM HONOLULU. HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE THERE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, PLUS OR MINUS A FEW DAYS.
WILL WRITE MORE WHILE IN ROUTE.
TILL THEN, TAKE CARE
TED
DEGREES 04 MINUTES WEST
HI ALL,
AT 1401 HRS. LOCAL TIME, SAILING WITH SPINNAKER ONLY, CAPRICE AND CREW PASSED OVER THE EQUATOR INTO THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE GOING FROM WINTER TO SUMMER!! WE HAD A SPECIAL CEREMONY CHANGING THE STATUS OF DAN AND CAROL FROM TADPOLE TO SHELLBACK. BOTH TOM AND I ARE SHELLBACKS HAVING CROSSED THE EQUATOR IN A SUBMARINE (TOM) AND A SAILBOAT(ME). WE THEN CELEBRATED THE EVENT WITH A FINE FEAST OF FRENCH PATES, AMERICAN HONEY ROASTED CASHEWS, NEW ZEALAND ASPARAGUS, CANADIAN SARDINES, FRENCH BRIE, TAHITIAN BAGGETTS, AND FRENCH WINE. WE MADE SURE NEPTUNE GOT HIS SHARE.
IT TOOK US 7 DAYS AND 4 HOURS TO SAIL THE 900 MILES NORTH AND SLIGHTLY EAST FROM RANGIROA TO THE EQUATOR. WE RAISED THE ANCHOR AT 1000 HOURS ON JUNE 18. THE DAY BEFORE WE LEFT, THE "MALTEASE FALCON" THAT WE SAW IN PAPEETE, DROPPED ANCHOR RIGHT NEXT TO US. AN AMAZING SIGHT.
ON OUR FIRST DAY OUT WE HAD VERY LIGHT WINDS RESULTING IN US MOTOR SAILING SLOWLY ALL DAY AND NIGHT. DAN DID MANAGE TO LAND A 30 INCH MACKEREL WHICH CAROL COOKED FOR DINNER THAT NIGHT. JUST AFTER SUNSET, WE GOT HIT WITH A SQUALL. AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED, WITH A FULL MOON RISING IN THE EAST WE SAW A NIGHTTIME 180 DEGREE RAINBOW IN THE WESTERN SKY. WITH THE NAKED EYE IT DID NOT HAVE THE COLORS OF A DAYTIME BOW. HOWEVER WITH BINOCULARS WE COULD SEE SOME COLORS. NONE OF US HAD EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE.
THE SECOND DAY THE WINDS PICKED UP TO 12 - 15 KNOTS FROM THE EAST AND STAYED THAT WAY FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS. DURING THIS TIME WE REMAINED ON THE SAME TACK (STARBOARD) EXCEPT FOR TW0 360 DEGREE MANEUVERS RESULTING IN A TACK AND A JIBE TO GET BACK ON COURSE. THE FIRST WAS CAUSED BY "AUTO" THE AUTOHELM AND THE SECOND OCCURRED WHEN DAN WAS TRYING TO LAND A FISH (HE DIDN'T). OUR POINTS OF SAIL FOR THESE FIVE DAYS RANGED FROM CLOSE REACH (WIND ABOUT 45 DEGREES OFF THE BOW) TO A BEAM REACH (WIND PERPENDICULAR TO THE BOAT). WE MADE EXCELLENT TIME DURING THESE DAYS LOGGING 119, 136, 151, 141 AND 128 MILES FOR EACH 24 HOUR PERIOD.
YESTERDAY THE WIND CLOCKED AROUND TO THE SOUTH AND DROPPED BELOW 7 KNOTS. WE SAILED SLOWLY AND MOTOR SAILED FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS. TODAY THE WINDS PICKED UP TO 10-11 KNOTS AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING 5-6 KNOTS WITH ONLY THE SPINNAKER.
HAVING PASSED OVER THE EQUATOR, WE ARE NOW SAILING IN A NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION, DIRECTLY TOWARD HAWAII. AS OF THIS MORNING WE WERE 1470 MILES FROM HONOLULU. HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE THERE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, PLUS OR MINUS A FEW DAYS.
WILL WRITE MORE WHILE IN ROUTE.
TILL THEN, TAKE CARE
TED
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ted's Log Stardate June 17th, 2008
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
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
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”.
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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
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