Opunohu bay

4 p.m. On June 19th ...Opunohu Bay... Suddenly transformed from a
remote anchorage into a bustling haven for the most eclectic group of
people i've ever had the pleasure to experienced!! This little bay
suddenly became jam packed with a fleet of over 100 sailing yachts
from every corner of the planet, we (Apple) were surrounded with a
heavy cruisers from Brazil, Germany, Italy, England, France, South
Africa, Bali, Oz, New Zealand, Holland, Norway..everywhere..!!!.
channel 16's constant flow of communication (in every language) echoed
around the bay... & the yachts themselves!!! from a giant new 210ft
super yacht to a 1960's 20 ft steel ketch from Chile... but however
great the difference in lifestyles, everyone had one thing in
common.... "Crossing the Pacific" crossing the largest mass of water
in the world (1/3 of the planets surface).... & they all arrived on
the 19th-21st (every year) in Opunohu bay to celebrate their
achievement..

And so the 1st days celebrations began.... with beach cocktails at
sunset.. which went to a dinner at the Hilton, which became a party
at the Hilton, spread across the anchored fleet into the early
hours.. then start again the following morning at 10 am, everyone
completely "hung-over" as we all joined various teams to compete in
the ancient polynesian games.. from rock lifting to the 6 man
polynesian style, out rigger races.. our Team "Wayward-Apple" was
cheated into accepting second place.. Ummm long story... anyways the
celebration lasted 2 day's & now everyone has dispersed, I'm tired &
its' now my birthday..

So the 22nd June is my birthday.. & it all started when "Penelope" my
mother phone me from France (on the sat phone) to remind me my
birthday was the following day... & wish me an eventful day ( thank-
you)..... The day started with Veronica taking me across the bay in
the "tender" with our 4 hp yamaha engine to feed the legendary giant
sting rays that live there..... This was truly an amazing experience
as i've always been very, very wary of ray's, one swipe from a giant
ray will kill a person within second's... that a common fact...
However, although "MASSIVE" in appearance, they were the
friendliest, sweetest sting ray's i've ever seen.. truly amazing...

They appeared to simply love having their noses scratched... ?
They'd almost fighting each other to get respective noses in front of
you for that little scratch!! & what an incredible soft silky
texture, its like scratching a smooth, soft shammy leather with large
friendly eyes smiling at you...!! & No sooner as Apple's (dog)
pours were touching the turquoise ocean.. She found herself nose to
nose with a jostling giant ray... & for the first time in her life...
she was so shocked.... She decided to retreat to the safety of our
tender, where she sat very patiently contemplating her next
move........ Which was to offer the ray's her tennis ball.. By
dropping it over the side of the dingy.. ? ...Then to a restaurant
for lunch.. More swimming, followed by Champagne & freshly made, wood
fired pizza on the yacht at sunset... perfect.....

Finally my new dripless "stuffing Box" ( covers/seals the universal
joint between engine & shaft) has arrived from France?. So we can now
continue on to Huahine , Raiatea & Bora Bora before Veronica returns
to LA to meet her mother...