May 08
We left Moorea at 1630 hrs for the 100 mile passage to Raiatea. It happened to be Supermoon Saturday. What a night sail we had: a huge, clear moon made it like day time and the breeze stayed friendly on the beam. So, despite repeated furling of sails to slow Sapphire down, she ran like a thoroughbread and we had to stand off the pass until it was light enough to enter the lagoon.
After breakfast, we took the RIB up the river at the head of the bay. Raiatea is quite different from Moorea. Heavily wooded, with trees you would find at higher latitudes.
Last evening we drove to the biggest Marae (temple complex) of Polynesia. Located along the shores at the headland of a bay, it was fascinating to stroll around the structures of an earlier civilization at dusk.
Sapphire is today on the Visitor's dock of a small marina in Apooiti Bay. The depth sounder is showing Zero water under the keel (it's now high water!) but a dive under the boat shows about 10 cm clearance. We plan to get away before low tide!
Next is Taha'a for tonight, then on to the iconic Bloody Mary's on BoraBora the following day. Reportedly, this is a very good restaurant much frequented by celebrities , including Marlon Brando. We shall see.