Another day, another pretty island

I thought it would be funny to include a picture of a snow covered mountain and tell you all out how we went snow skiing for a day....But April fools day was last month!

At anchor just inside the reef on Moorea

So here we are today anchored off another beautiful tropical reef in a picture perfect setting. We just completed a non-eventful overnight passage from the island of Moorea to Taha'a. Taha'a & Raitea share a reef and there are many anchorages within close proximity to each other. It is well known for charter boats but not always top of mind for people thinking of French Polynesia. Since we've just arrived, we don't have much to share except there are a lot of charter boats here!

The anchor set in some lovely sand

Our pet pufferfish enjoying the shade under Okisollo

The last few days in Moorea were idyllic. Moorea is a beautiful island. The kind worthy of 'get away from it all and take me away to Moorea' imagery. The mountainous cliffs are on the cover of practically every brochure for French Polynesia. Sailors are lucky enough to get the joy of anchoring in two magnificent bays (there are more on the south side, but we didn't venture there): Cook's Bay and Oponuha Bay. Both have equally impressive jaw dropping scenery.

Hiking above Oponuha Bay Moorea

In Cook's Bay the highlight is the grocery store, ice cream stand and garbage receptacle. Oponuha Bay features lots of great hiking and solitude. On the outer reef there is great snorkeling -- and you don't have to go far to see the creatures! We just watched the sharks, rays and puffer fish swim around us while we floated off the swim steps and under the boat.

Dingy ride through the lagoon on a a bit of a rainy, squally morning

When we aren't in the water to cool off, we enjoy cooking good food, cleaning things, fixing the occasional broken thing and going for dingy rides and walking. (Oh, right, sometimes we have to pay our bills back home too!)

The backdrop on Moorea

The 100 nm passage last night was spectacular. We had a full moon, only a bit of traffic and we were able to sail most of the way. For me, I got the joy of sleeping a full night (yeah for having 4 of us on board!!!)

Dan enjoying the afternoon

Those that stood watch, had a beautiful moonlight sail. We were sad to not see much wildlife on this leg. We figure we are too early for the whales and the fish -- well there just doesn't seem to be any. We didn't see any flying fish or get any bites on our hook. Onward to explore what there is to explore on Taha'a and Raitaea!