Well gang – not all that much happening here in Rangiroa. It’s a quiet Saturday, with pretty much only the trade wind breeze and a gentle sway and wish wash of wavelets to make much sound at all. We spent the better part of arrival day cleaning up (as little as possible) and sleeping (as much as possible). Yesterday (Friday?) was pretty quiet as well. The highlight was venturing over to the motu (islet, or very small coral island) on the inside of pass we came through on Thursday. I’m not sure what this little motu is called, but it’s a simple lone palm tree affair, and surrounded by some very interesting coral… so we went snorkeling! A good snorkel I’d say, with a good variety of reef fish, some large schools of fish (giving the impression of natural abundance), and some black-tip and white-tip reef sharks cruising the outer reaches. We all had a good time. As we prepared to leave the motu, we saw that the only other cruising boat in the anchorage, a Catana 411 catamaran, headed out the pass on the slack water and headed east… same way we’re going! We wondered what he knew that we didn’t, about the weather. We came back and checked the GRIB files again – in fact, there will be a bit of a window during which it will be easier to make easting (the big challenge) – but from the info and intel we’ve got, that window will begin on Sunday the 12th. So we decided, tentatively, to leave on Sunday. That means Saturday is a bit of a prep/work day.
Not really and ‘big’ work going, but a bit of sewing. Yep, the three of us have all taken turns today with sail needle and special thread…. each contributing a few hours to a necessary repair of a chafed area in the luff of the mainsail. We saw it when we dropped the main after arriving in Rangiroa. I’ve no idea yet how it actually happened, but we’ll be looking into it. The point is that you have to repair chafed and ripped little areas like that as soon as you see them…. lest the rip and tear wide open, like while at sea beating into 30 knots and 2 meter chop! So I did the first couple hours, and then Lara and now Danny is putting the finishing touches on. Taking advantage of the work moment, I also rigged up a spare batten – the topmost batten, about 4 feet long, had shaken loose and flown the main a while ago (I believe on the Galapagos > Marquesas passage). That should help the mainsail shape just a tad.
And the Birthday Wishes? We’ll those would be for my baby sister of course. Happy Birthday Nancy! It was great to chat with you on the phone. Hope you have a great time at the party tonight, and that the kids behave themselves with the sitter! 🙂 I know they will.
So, our sewing done and the boat pretty much shipshape, we’re headed ashore. First we need to reserve some baguettes for tomorrow (if you don’t reserve, you need to be there at like 05.30 if you honestly hope to get one or two). Then we’ll catch a cab down the motu/island that stretches between the passes (Tiputa and Avatoru). This is the most inhabited part of Rangiroa and so we’re going to go check out the town/pearl farms/scenery. Hope you’re having a great weekend!!!!
MM, Lara & Danny
S/Y Walk On 