June 4 – 10, 2014
Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia, and as such it is a one of those necessary evils for a cruiser. It’s crowded and noisy, but it also has large grocery stores, fuel, internet (theoretically), propane, laundry (theoretically), etc. Our highlights, in no particular order, were the beer, roulettes (food trucks, seriously), and ANDREW’S VISIT.
Logbook – June 4, 2014 (Tahanea to Papeete)
Passage Log Highlights
- 0850 Depart
- 0920 Engines off, main (1 reef) + genoa – TWS 21.9 kts E
- 1606 Main (1 reef) + genoa (1 reef) – TWS 28 kts E
- 2307 T–> D main (2 reefs) + genoa (2 reefs) – TWS 23.1 kts NE
Daily Notes
- Heading and COG is in deg True from now on
Email to family and friends dated June 4, 2014
Subject: Passage to Tahiti
We have spent our last night in The Tuamotus, because this morning we are heading for Tahiti. It will be about a 2 day passage and should mostly be following seas unlike our other multi-day passages around here. Andrew will be flying in to visit us on the 10th, so we want to get there a few days early to finish all the chores that always come with arriving in a major port (provisioning, laundry, etc.) We will raise anchor a little later this morning, after the SSB net, so now I’ll just enjoy my coffee and start getting ready to go.
Love and miss you all,
-D.
Logbook – June 5, 2014 (Tahanea to Papeete)
Passage Log Highlights
- 0912 Main (2 reefs) + genoa (1 reef) – wing & wing – TWS 24.1 kts E
- 1520 Main (2 reefs) + genoa – TWS 17 kts E
- 1733 Main (2 reefs) + genoa + genniker – TWS 15 kts E
- 2120 P engine on (charge batteries)
- 2320 P engine off – drop main
- 2341 Genoa + genniker – TWS 11.2 kts NE
Logbook – June 6, 2014 (Tahanea to Papeete)
Passage Log Highlights
- 0035 SB engine on
- 0247 SB engine + genoa – TWS 6.7 kts NE
- 1028 P engine on genoa furled
- 1134 Arrival at fuel dock
- 1158 Engines on & depart fuel dock
- 1231 Arrive anchorage
Daily Notes
- Andy – skipper of mega yacht we met at fuel dock
Logbook – June 7, 2014 (Papeete)
Daily Notes
- Spirit of Ponta Preta (Lagoon 450) – Mom (Marina), Dad (??), two daughters 15 & 16 yrs
- Len & Erin s/v Maestro stopped by
- Happy hour @ Dinghy Bar w/ LC, TBV, Eleutheria, The Beguine, Maestro
Email to family and friends dated June 7, 2014
Subject: Papeete
We made it to Papeete, the capital of Tahiti and French Polynesia, and holy wow big city with noise and traffic. There are so many boats on mooring balls and at anchor it reminds us of La Cruz or better yet, La Paz, because everyone is packed in along both sides of the channel. We haven’t really seen Papeete yet, just the marina area which is about 5 miles south of downtown. And unfortunately today will be taken up by more shopping and laundry, but maybe tomorrow we’ll get up early and go to the downtown market. Yesterday was Kyle’s birthday, so they made dinner brought steak and grilled it on Exodus to share. Brenden and Alex were dying for them to get over here to give Kyle his little birthday care package we put together for him. Then they had a minecraft night.
The passage from Tahanea was one of extremes in that the first night we had squall after squall and we were heavily reefed, and the second night the wind died and we had to motor. Transit and passage into the harbor and down the channel was easy. We just have to keep remembering green and red buoys are reversed here (green right return just doesn’t have the same ring to it.)
Love and miss you all,
-D.
P.S. Go Kings!
Logbook – June 8, 2014 (Papeete)
Daily Notes
- T/Boys – McD’s for lunch, tour of Mondango, hang out w/ Maestro & Breeze
- D – Laundry & stow provisions
Logbook – June 9, 2014 (Papeete)
Daily Notes
- Cold front passed today. Pouring rain – 25-35 kts. Eased up in the evening.
- Went to Roulette w/ Maestro & Breeze
Logbook – June 10, 2014 (Papeete)
Daily Notes
- Andrew’s here! Dinghy to downtown Papeete. Gran Marche, Brew Pub, Roulette
Gresham Family Exodus 