can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

American Spirit II - Day 111; Stephen Kirk Last Day, Laundry, 1st Day Downtown, 3:00 PM Skippers Meeting, Rendezvous Party and Dinner in Papeete Rouletee (SP?); Thursday, April 24, 2014



Up at 6:40 AM. Breakfast at 7:20 AM. Stephen finishes packing and departs for home to Bend, Oregon.

Today is 'sheet' laundry day. The only items on the boat we can't really laundry ourselves because they're so big. I got to the laundry at the marina, which has 4 washing machines that hold 22 pounds of laundry; and one dryer. The cost to operate is 800 French francs (8 coins); and it takes 45 minutes for a wash cycle. My intention was to get to do laundry before anyone else got there. Even though there is only one dryer, it seems like that isn't a problem as a lot of boats like to hang out their clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. I stay in the laundry room, reading my kindle.

While I'm doing the laundry, Joel is changing the oil and fuel filters on the Onan Generator and Yanmar 54 HP Diesel Engine.

I'm done with the laundry at about 11:00 AM, about the same time that Joel is done with the engine and generator. When he starts up the generator, it smokes so much that every boat in the marina notices. Someone tells him and he turns it off. Seems that too much oil was added. Oops. There IS a different between liters and quarts. Who knew?

At 1:30 PM we board a taxi van that II Audeacious has called, heading off to the chandlery downtown. Along with Tommy and Marianne from II Audeceaus are Sheldon and Ness from Nexus. Once at the chandlery, its apparent that they don't have what we want (bolts and locking nuts). I do buy an extra, small boat hook. We're directed to a 'bolt' store. After visiting two ACE hardware stores we find the bolt store. It has exactly what we need. Great.

At 3:00 PM we attended the Skipper's Briefing for the Society Islands. We learn that Bora Bora is not safe for boaters, due to thievery that has been occurring there; and we're advised to keep someone on board when snorkeling or visiting the island. That will be a problem. We never lock the boat, but it looks like we'll have to there. However, there is apparently some safety in using certain marinas. We'll see.

After the Skipper's Briefing, we proceed to the rally bar on the main downtown street. At 5:30 PM a marching band of Polynesian musicians comes by, and we follow them to the Town Hall for our Rendezvous Party and prize giving ceremony. American Spirit II receives an award along with Flomaida II and one other boat for our logs. The award is a bird caller, that is activated by pouring water into a wooden pipe. Paul Tetlow of the rally insists that I pour water into my bird caller to demonstrate for the attendees who it works. Fortunately, it does. Brilliantly. After the award giving and speeches by Papeete notables, all the skippers are lined up to receive a special Polynesian blessing; and then native dancers perform for us in their grass skirts and red head dressing outfits. The guys look at the girls, and the girls look at the guys. It is amazing that anyone can move their hips as fast as the girls in the grass skirts to. And they're wearing coconut bras to cover their breasts. Fortunately, none of the string holding the coconuts in place brakes or slips. After the performance, rally persons are 'grabbed' by the female and male dancers to join them. Luckily, I'm not grabbed. I wouldn't want to embarrass the rally organization and my fellow boaters with my dancing inabilities.

Dinner is at the waterfront where the food trucks congregate for an evening's inexpensive meal. Joel and I have Chicken and Broccoli and Beef Curry; along with white rice. A family from Seattle, Russ and Alex along with their 2 children, are waved over by us so join us as our table has place settings for 6. Russ is an executive from Microsoft. Joel tells him how much he loves Windows 8.

After dinner we head back to the marina, taking a cab. We're 'home' by 10:00 PM.

Brian Fox

Previous | Next