Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3

We are anchored inside the chain of motus that form the reef around the islands of Tahaa and Raiatea.  The colour of the water where the it shallows up is the light, light blue and turquoise of the photos one sees of the tropics.  We returned to Tuahine motu, where we spent time 17 years ago with the trainees.  It´s a very small motu with sand and palm trees and at that time had small bungalows one could stay the night at.  We made friends with the owners Diego and Francoise.  Today we went to see if they were still there, but the motu had been sold and was now a private resort for honeymoon couples.  It was beautiful; the manager met us at the dock and showed us the property after he heard our story.  Apparently it´s one of the top 25 places to stay in the world; it´s beautifully put together, very classy and well-made, yet built with traditional materials such as wood and thatch. The many small dwellings fit harmoniously into the landscape.  There was a white sand beach with lawn chairs, fresh fruit at an open air sitting area, with all the tables, stairs, floors, and chairs also made of wood.  Décor was done with local flowers, pearl shells and thatch.  It was wonderful to see something so beautifully and tastefully put together.  We are now anchored near another motu that promises good snorkeling.  We left Huahini early this morning with a very stiff wind, especially as we came through the pass.  The surf was breaking loud and big over the reef as we went through it.  The motion was very rocky-roly, side-to-side, with the wind astern.  We raised the fore to steady the ship somewhat, later raising both square sails and lowering the fore.  We sailed broad reach until about 1600, another amazing sail.  Some of the new trainees were feeling seasick, poor Jose and Tristan were left with only Carolyn S. to help with breakfast dishes and there were a lot of dishes.  We ate in our watches today for breakfast and lunch, learning a bit more about each other.  Forewatch interrogated
Jose, portwatch interrogated Krista, and there were questions followed by laughter when her twin, Carolyn walked in and heard what was said of her.  It´s wonderful what the trainees will share with each other, the things we learn about them, many of them very funny, very daring, very creative.  Karen taught Juniors Rules of the Road and Points of
Sail when they were feeling less seasick.  Once we anchored, trainees were able to go for a swim; the salt air always makes one feel sticky and ready for a rinse.  By 1800hrs, the water felt warmer than the air.  Many different activities were happening around the ship this evening: Chase and Gillian discovered that tomorrow there will be a total lunar eclipse as well as a full moon, Stephen and Jordan are working together to make a handout on celestial navigation for trainees, and Katie was grinding wheat berries to make the whole wheat flour for the bread for sandwiches tomorrow.  We are planning on taking a lunch to the motu and spending a good part of the day there.  Tom chose his spot on deck early and was in his sleeping bag reading with his headlamp.  The foredeck is also covered in sleeping bags with trainees staking out their spot.  Leslie and
Sam sang for us on deck while the rest of us were milling about, reading, writing, chatting, or just getting ready for bed.  Leslie has a beautiful voice and sings in a band in her home of New York.  Sam is always singing or whistling and has been instrumental in encouraging us to do the same.  Simon has been taught to play the "Make a happy (or sad, or worried, or scared, or confused etc.) face" by Katie and Karen and it provides all of us with hours of amusement.  Noah is also very good at the game.  I hear that this game was played with Katie by her mom when she was small.  Noah climbed to the very top of the foremast, sitting on it, with Tavish this afternoon.  They hung out together there for quite awhile, chatting away as if nothing else mattered.  Jose had a chance to look at the photos he took of the trainees and locals playing together yesterday in
Huahine; they are wonderful and remind us of the good times we have in each of the places we visit.  I can´t wait for you to see them.  I  think I am once again one of the last people to go to bed; just Karen is still awake as she has nearly finished "Pride and Prejudice," and does not want to put it down.  Until tomorrow, good night,
Bonice.