After a week or so of island hopping, we are in Bora Bora getting ready for the start of the fourth leg of the trip. On the way we have stopped again at our favorite Moorea, where our last day consisted of a morning snorkel, hike up a hill to a fruit and botanical garden for some freshly juiced ananas, then up the hill a bit more for a waterfall. It ended with a nice stand up paddle before getting ready for an evening sail over to Huahine. Due to being in the lee at Opunohu Bay, we didn't expect the winds to be as high as they were, which allowed for a really nice sail over to Fare on Huahine Hui.
Once to hook was dropped we went ashore in search of bikes. It was a Tuesday, but many of the shops were closed. We inquired and were informed it was a holiday for the island, a sort of labour day. But we were still able to get some velos for the afternoon. We took a nice tour and got around about half of Hui. After a nice dinner on board, it was up early the next morning for a motor sail over to Raiatea, where we would meet up with Karson's parents.
We arranged a nice scuba with one of the local dive shops and went for an outside reef dive. Beforehand, the guide leader said there was a possibility of seeing sharks. This was a major understatement, because as soon as we arrived, there were black fins breaking the surface all over the water. During the dive, there were at least a dozen sharks following and swimming through the divers. It was more like having a friendly dog at your side than a school of potentially dangerous animals!! At the end of the dive, the sharks were rewarded with some chum the leader had brought along, explaining their calm nature and patience.
The boat also moved to Faaroa Bay where the bay is fed by the only river in French Polynesia. A short dinghy ride up was navigated, followed by a stop at the botanical garden for some fresh fruit.
The boat next moved up to Tahaa where a pearl farm was visited and a small rendezvous with a couple of World ARC boats.
After the five days in Raiatea, Wind Dancer sailed over to Bora Bora accompanied by the Winslow's. Approaching Bora Bora was nothing less than amazing, with the large mountain and beautiful turquoise waters surrounding. We found a mooring outside the famous Bloody Mary's Restaurant and enjoyed a nice dinner ashore.
We jumped right into diving again the following day and had one dive outside the reef (lemon sharks and reef sharks) and a second dive inside the reef in a coral garden labyrinth (eagle rays).
We still have a week to go before the shove-off, but there is plenty more to do. Actually I feel a little tired just recapping on the last week and a half.
The Wind Dancer Crew