Tahiti 2021

we decided to have Thanksgiving on a boat with as much family as we could cram onto a 45 foot catamaran in Tahiti. Even with all the Covid problems and tests it was an incredible and memorable trip. Greg, Donna and Grayson came from Colorado, Rich and Lisa from Bellingham (and Indianola), Kaleigh and Jeff from Seattle, Anisa from Atlanta and us from Utah.

AirBnb at Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts. The room was great and overlooked the pool and the beach.
AirBnb at Le Tahiti by Pearl Resorts. The room was great and overlooked the pool and the beach.
The Black Sand Beach. This was right in front of the Resort and the sand was marvelous.
Black Sand Beach at Le Tahiti
Black Sand Beach at Le Tahiti
Black Sand Beach at Le Tahiti
Ahsan walks along the Black Sand Beach at Le Tahiti
The sand was magical. It glittered in n the sun like it had many diamonds.
Linda tries to demonstrate the magical qualities but it is really hard to see.
A better view of the glitter!
Yoga class in the pool. They had a bicycle kind of thing that let them exercise and do yoga.
Le Tahiti waitress with drinks for the table lining the beach with a great view of the bay.
Yoga/bicycle class
Tahitian Noni fruit or morinda citrifolia. It has an odor apparently but was eaten during bouts of famine and has been used as a cure for arthritis, rheumatism, menstrual or abdominal pain and hypertension.
Tahitian Noni fruit
Trees alongside the road near Papeete.
Dates in the early stages
This was a date palm as you can see the fruit at the bottom. The roads were lined with mango trees, date palms and noni trees.
Linda takes in the sunset at Le Tahiti.
Dinner at Le Tahiti. There were many families with little kids who were having a great time running wild. One even decided he needed to pee urgently and proceeded to do it in the lawn in front of all the guests!
The 40 minute puddle jumper airplane from Papeete to Raiatea was very quick. Our taxi driver told us to sit on the left side for the best view....wrong. Right was better.
Coming into land.Across the lagoon is Taha'a
The Air Tahiti plane we just flew in on.
The Air Tahiti plane we flew.
The Dream Yacht base. The offices were on the left side. It was very well run and everyone spoke French.
A typical trace of the Anchor app that we use when anchoring to make sure we arent drifting off.
We arrived at the base around 12:30, and had completed the provisioning, technical briefing and chart briefing by 4:00 pm. Some of the stuff that was missing from our order was bought by Greg , Jeff and Grayson at the stores in Utoroa, a short 5 minute walk. We could easily have done the provisioning on the day of arrival. Note for the next time. Grayson's luggage was lost so he had to purchase emergency underwear and shorts!
We motored a few hundred yards away and grabbed a mooring ball. These were different since they had two lines for port and starboard cleats.
Moored looking at Utorea and the DYC base to the right.
A quick appetizer of cheese and crackers brought out by Rich as we settled for the sunset.
Relaxing before the sunset with some gorgeous surroundings.
Jeff and Kaleigh got the first nights dinner preparation. Anisa was a sous chef. They made some awesome hamburgers and even vegetarian burgers for Rich.
The Bali 4.5 had a good layout with the large window in the front. The tables in the front were really useful.
Enjoying the sunset
Enjoying the sunset
First sunset at Raeatea did not disappoint.
Jeff works the grill. It did not like to say horizontal and would slowly tilt down...a little worrisome for the chef!
Food is ready!
The crew is hungry!
Full moon was so bright but before it would emerge, we would have some great stargazing.