Washing my hair at Marina Taina

Marina Tahina

So far I have been very surprised by what I have encountered and what I always had imagined Papeete would be like. It is a big harbor city, much like Oakland or Long Beach, with a tropical flair. We spent two nights there. It was very loud with the highway noise right next to the shore line. Also, there are no beaches, just rocks and drop offs.

We did meet some of Jock and Yuriko's friends they met on their last trip. Yuriko made a delicious Japanese dinner for Sabrina, Pascal, and their baby boy. By the end of the night, Sabrina said she would bring some black pearls for Yuriko and I to look at and choose what we wanted. Her brother is a pearl farmer in the Tuomotus. I couldn't believe it would happen, but the next day she brought a Ziplock bag full of black pearls!

We also saw a beautiful ceremony where the Polynesians were blessing a sailboat about to make a journey to Shenghai. Lots of flowers, tattoos, singing and celebration going on.

A few observations: Doors to buildings open in instead of opening out. If a family has all boys, the youngest boy is raised as a girl to do the female tasks. Lots of big, Polynesian cross dressers! Bread is only 50 cents. Kids are taught Tahitian, French, English, Spanish and now Japanese in school. Because of the coral reefs, people are taken by boat or jet ski out beyond the reef to surf. Quite interesting to see people so far off shore surfing.

Today we moved the boat to Marina Tahina. On Sunday, Sabrina and Pascal have invited us to a big family party. That should be fun.

The first day here was a lot of fun. It began with dip in the lagoon inside the barrier reef. The water is crystal blue with shades of turquois in the shallow areas. It was around 8am after we popped out of the water to relax on the chaise lounge chairs. It feels like Hawaii, only with a very French flair. The conversations are French, the women are topless, the food is delicious.

Later we met a French man, Sebastian, that moved here from France two years ago. He took us by jet ski to a place the dolphins congregate. We drove outside the barrier reef into the ocean. The back of the waves breaking so far off the shore was a sight. We turned off the engines and soon the dolphins swam up and gathered around. They were spinners. What a sight!

Tonight after dinner, Jerry showed me the Southern Cross. How special is that?? I never thought I'd ever get that experience. We had to listen to Crosby Stills and Nash on our iphone and just stare up in the sky. It looks like a kite more than a cross, to me, but it is a sight I won't soon forget.

I woke up in the middle of night to see a bright, full moon over the ocean. It must be a good omen for what's to come

We are off!

We woke up early and rolled on up to the airport. It was a long journey...down to LAX first, then eight hours to Papeete. We were greeted by Jerry and Jock and whisked off to our hotel and a delicious dinner. The guys decided that it would be best to stay at the hotel the first night, then load the boat the next day.

All packed and ready to go!

It's taken about two weeks to get my stuff together, then go through everything again and purge that which is not really necessary. I still probably brought too much, but at least it's too much practical stuff (tank tops, swim suits, sun dresses, sun screen, etc.). And just when I thought I wouldn't have much to carry, Jerry called and asked me to pick up a part for the windless, another sun shower, and while I was at it I picked up some micro fiber towels, and a new camera!! It's a Nikon CoolPix L110. I liked it because of the zoom lens and the HD video. So now there is no excuse for not capturing all the pleasures of the islands and documenting the coziness of the boat.

Tonight I am staying in San Francisco with Allie and Gabriella at Allie's apartment. They are getting up at the crack of dawn and taking me to SFO to meet Yuriko, my traveling buddy, at 6:15 am. Getting up that early is truly a demonstration of love. First stop, LAX for a short lay over, then I'm off to Paradise to meet Jerry and Jock in Papeete. I'll miss my girls almost more than I can bear, but I truly am looking forward to this trip. Thankfully, the girls have been very supportive in encouraging me to go. À bientôt!