Justine’s Tahiti Report (Society Islands)
Home of the Black Pearl
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May 07 |
The Society Islands are made up of two groups, the windward islands of Tahiti and Moorea and the leeward islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Maupiti.
Hot Spots are responsible for the birth of these islands, larva from a depth of 4,000 meters bursts forth and emerges to eventually form a volcano island.
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Eventually the volcano drifts off the hot spot, the crater becomes extinct, and a coral belt grows around the islands to form the famous fringing reefs of the Society islands.
Once the other two crew (Ray and Will) arrived Toni and I gave them a few days to check out the city, before we set sail for Moorea, the most beautiful of all the islands in my humble opinion. The blues of the lagoon and the greens of the hills are more spectacular than you could imagine. One of the reasons for this amazing color is that there is no industry in this tropical paradise, no pollution. |
LS in Moorea |
A 45 min dingy ride, takes you from d’Opunohu Bay to the Motu of Fareone, where one of the local hotels have been feeding stingrays for years, so as soon as you walk into the water the rays come swimming along to see if there’s a free meal going, its an incredible moment when this huge ray glides right up to you and smoothly slides over your feet.
After a few days its time to up anchor and head off to the leeward island of Huahine, this is a journey of over 70 nautical miles and we have decided to make it an overnight trip, it would be risky to try and make the crossing in a single day and with the coral reefs that |
Jastine Stingray |
surround these islands you don’t really want to go through the pass in the dark even though they are very well marked, it is always better to have the sun behind you and the lookout on the bow to ensure no coral is damaged. After having been at sea for over 2.5 months myself the motion of the yacht sends me off to a dream filled wonderland, whilst Will and Ray are struggling to sleep. Yeah !!!! They can do first watch. I love sailing at night the bright stars, the moon across the water it is the time when you are alone, you are the master of your destiny, plans are made and dreams borne. |
The island of Huahine is the most tranquil of the islands, its main village of Fare has retained the small village feeling where everybody knows everybody, it is the most Polynesian of all the islands and has over 30 of the “marae” (Open air worship places).
After Huahine it’s anchor up and off to Raiatea, for me this feels like coming home because I spent 2 months on the island waiting for Toni and Little Swan, in that time I got to know a few of the local Frenchmen and some Tahitians as well, and got to snorkel and swim in the local favorite spots. |
Toni's waterfall |
A word of advise if you come to this incredible island and decide to take a walk up to one of its many waterfalls make sure you take a Tahitian guide, because a French one will take you off the track and give you a glimpse of what Captain Cook and the crew of the Bounty must have felt like the first time they came to shore looking for water. After 3 hours we were no closer to the waterfall and the furthest away from the river we could get with out going to another island. Will, Ray and I gave up and went back to the boat but our fearless Captain was not to be put off and continued until he found the path on his own, and was lucky enough to find the waterfall. |
LS in Bora Bora Lagoon |
After 4 days it was time to anchor up and head for BORA BORA wow I couldn’t believe that I was going to be on one of the most beautiful islands in the world to help my skipper celebrate his birthday, we had a reservation at the “Hotel Bora Bora” for a 7 pm feast and Toni had a bottle of Champagne that was well hidden from my grubby pores to help celebrate. So after a full day of BLACK PEARL sales reps, (Toni was looking for a present.) I got to wear my incredible string of Black pearls that I had been given by my friend in Raiatea, to dinner at the hotel. I also got to dress up as much as a yachtie can. (insert Picture dinner at hotel bora bora) |
| Being in Bora Bora, often made me feel like I was living in the movie Waterworld with Kevin Costner. Every few hours up to 10 jet skis come flying towards us on Little Swan following the leader. |
| We have not gotten to Maupiti yet but if it is anything like what we have seen so far it can only be just as magic. The Society islands are beautiful the Polynesians are friendly, and wear flowers all the time, no reason required. The children are carefree and happy, after all they have the most amazing playground. I will be sailing away with many incredible memories. |
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