More boats in the anchorage means a bigger party! On Sunday evening, we hosted an event that included a slide presentation and sea life "lecture" by Dr. Mike, a PhD marine biologist, off the boat 'I/O', dinner for 27 people, and the first southern hemisphere meeting of the Strawberry Monkey Yacht Club (www.strawberrymonkeyyc.com). We initiated new Y.C. members and had a crazy evening.
Monday morning, we departed Fakarava and the Tuamotus for the 250 nm crossing to the Society Islands and Tahiti. The weather cooperated and we had an easy 29 hour passage. It was a beautiful sunrise with the 7000' mountain peaks in the distance. Oso has not been near a dock or marina since we left Mexico on April 1. It was a culture shock to arrive in Papeete, Tahiti at a marina with 500 boats and mega yachts from all over the world.
Tahiti is the population, government, and boating center for all of French Polynesia. It is a major tourist destination with a population of 130,000 and many resorts, hotels, restaurants, and shops. It is VERY French.
We have not yet explored far from the marina, but will venture out today to reprovision, get some boat maintenance stuff, and see what is here.
E
