We have our passports stamped by the Gendarmerie and are about to leave the island of Tahaa for Bora Bora and Malpiti before the long passage to Tonga. We are looking closely at the weather for a window - it has been pretty unfavourable further west due to storms passing over New Zealand with tails extending up into the tropics. We may go direct to Tonga which is a 1300NM passage (8-9 days), or if we choose we could break it up by stopping in Palmerston or Suwarrow Islands (Cook Islands, NZ), or Beveridge Reef (no land, just a great reef and anchorage in the middle of the ocean with awesome fishing and diving). We might also stop at the Nuipotatoes - a group of islands before reaching Tonga (Va'vau group). We plan to stay in Tonga for a few weeks before setting off for Fiji in September.
We have thoroughly enjoyed FP and have had many great experiences as a family and as a group with other Puddle Jumpers and kid boats. Here are some of our favourite pics from recent weeks...
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| Saying goodbye to Jol who was with us for 5 months and made a big impression, and his parents Rob and Julie who joined us onboard for a week |
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| Sailing into the sunset with Laurie's outrigger safely mounted |
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| Beau hard at his school work, so he can get out and play in the afternoon |
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| Sunset over Bora Bora from Tahaa |
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| Climbing for green coconuts - they make great drinks! |
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| The most significant archeological site in French Polynesia - this is where the voyaging canoes set off from to find Hawaii and Easter Island |
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| Traditional voyaging sailing canoe re-enactment on passage from Hawaii to Tahiti and beyond |
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| Beach volleyball was a hit among the cruisers at Huahine |
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| Sonia enjoying a Happy Hour cocktail on the bow |
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| Paddlers surfing our dinghy wake inside the lagoon - great skill as these canoes do not have rudders - this guy is flying an ama (the outrigger) |
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| Ancient fish traps on our bike ride around the island |
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| We saw huge blue-eyed eels in a creek |
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| Beau making the most of the wind in his Optimist with Bora Bora in the background |
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| Methodist church in town at Uturoa, Raiatea |
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| On Sonia's birthday we borrowed a motorbike and rode around Huahine Iti - So picturesque! |
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| Lil' Explorers and other kids from "kiddy cats" out playing in the water |
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| Beau surfing at the inner reef pass in the south of Huahine |
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| Travis trying his hand at SUP paddling |
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| Moana Roa tied up on the dock at Uturoa |
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| The local outrigger people movers in town |
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| Kara having her breakfast baguette on the bollard |
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| The girls from Dafne teaching the boys how to bake an apple pie |
