When I last posted I had just arrived in Tahiti. I'm now in the Island Kingdom of Tonga. Before I share some details let me explain about the Internet or more correctly, the lack thereof. On many of the small islands and atolls in the South Pacific there simply is no Internet. On some of the more populated islands there is Internet but the connection is so slow it is next to unusable. To upload one picture, it took 7 minutes to advise that the connection was too slow for images. Very frustrating.
My girlfriend Colleen was able to fly to Tahiti (Raiatea) for 2 weeks at the end of June. Hopefully she will be able to add some of her photos to the blog. Colleen left on the 11th of July and I departed the next day. My next stop was Maupihaa atoll (pronounced,"Mopelia"). What a beautiful spot. With only one "passe" into the lagoon and that being only 60' wide it makes for an exciting entry. The always outgoing current is between 4 and 6 knots so many yachts do not attempt it. Once inside it is the setting sailors dream about. Beautiful turquoise water, palm trees, white sand beaches and only 3 inhabitants.
Next was Aitutaki then Palmerston, both atolls in the southern Cook Islands. Niue, about 420 nautical miles (nm = 6076') farther west, a small Island State administered by New Zealand, was my last stop before Tonga. There were Humpback whales
in between the boats in the anchorage. All for now..
A Few Pic's from Tahiti
Mike traveled all the way from Tahiti to take me to my 20 year Banquet.
It was Southwest Airlines 40th Anniversary.
GLO'S MOVING IN ON MY BOY AGAIN!
WHO COULD RESIST!
TAHITI HERE I COME......
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| Raiatea Marina |
We were sailing along, no one in sight...I glanced up ... and we had company. This guy was amazing..... he drafted along side of us for a while. Mike asked him if he wanted a drink..... he nodded yes, and worked hard to get close enough to get a coke. This is a huge sport in Tahiti and we see guys training daily.
Learning about the culture and meeting people is my favorite part of the adventure!
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| Rainbows and luck seem to follow Mike where ever we go.... |
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Mike took me on a little jungle tour..... It was very tropical.
We met this guy who told us about the different fruits growing along the bank. |
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| This was so tranquil and beautiful... like something out of a movie. |
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| Exercising daily.... on our way to Bora Bora. |
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| SOME PEOPLE ARE FAMOUS WHERE EVER THEY GO.... BLOODY MARY'S STARS! |
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| Enjoying a little lunch and a few cold beers.... |
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| Took this picture For Kelly and Jeff..... |
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| Local's hang out on this little island. |
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| Bora Bora is pretty spectacular |
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| Mike made this Flag..... Hope Town Sailing Club. |
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| Another Rainbow |
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| Met a few Australlian Friends.... Kite Surfers. |
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| Mike's Wonder Washer.... Love a boy who will do my laundry! |
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| My last day in Tahiti |
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| IRRESISTIBLE!! |
