island of Moorea, whilst waiting for a new "Stuffing box" to arrive
from France (STUFFING BOX: seal's the joint between the engine & the
propeller shaft), we finally received a call from Laurent (PYS-
PolynesaiPolynesai Yacht Services) to inform us that our parts were
awaiting pick-up at the Bali Hight Hotel in Cook's bay... ....
Rather than do the sensible thing & head straight to the boat yard In
Raitatea with our replacement parts... We decide to head straight to
Bora Bora as a close friend of ours (Dietmars on the Catamaran
Carinthia) was hosting a 4th July party... sounds much better that a
bout yard!!!, thus, around mid morning of the 3rd july we up anchored
& headed west again..... pushed along by the massive swell's that
rolled beneath, which have now been created from the many months of
the developing trade winds.
The journey took us throughout the night, with both Veronica & myself
doing our 3 hours on/off watch duty's, & Finally at around 6:30 am we
could clearly see the distinctive Volcanic silhouetted shape of
Raitatea ...
Raiatea: was the religious & cultural center that was imported through-
out the pacific, descendants of Raiatea have settled on the Cook's to
New Zealand & When captain Cook visited the island in 1769, he found
that the king Of Raiatea was already in exile & the island was now
ruled under Bora Bora..
We entered the "Teavapiti Pass" this is a narrow passage (that dose
not present any problems) through the 22 miles of shallow coral reef's
that stretch between the two islands of Tahaa & Raiatea. On entering
the pass, we noticed a small fishing marina on our port side... &
decided to take a short break, exhausted from out night's surf/
sailing. Unfortunately the tiny marina was already filled with local
fishing Pang's & a number of old 1970s battered & broken private sail
boats, So the only available tie-up being a very narrow slip between
the fishing boats & a battered yacht, just enough room to head Bow
(front) in , then tie-up (Med style) & drop a stern anchor...
After anchoring up, with a little help from some friendly local
fishermen, we immersed ourselves in fresh coffee. When.......
Suddenly a dive boat appeared! Being driven by a 50-ish year old
French woman, carrying about 5-6 scuba diver that had obviously just
finished a morning scuba-dive.... She appeared to be heading in our
direction, in fact she appeared to be heading straight for our/
probably her slip..? . I waved again.. But she totally ignored me, I
"THINK" I could hear her engine gain a higher pitch as if
accelerating, I waved again!! & again!! .. When suddenly she collided
straight into us!!! With-out even a word, then she began to reverse,
as if about to do the same again..??? This time as she came back at
us.. I jumped onto her boat ( which was only about 20 Ft long & much
lower) & grabbed her helm, causing her to glide into the concrete
dock....
After stalling her engine ... I explained that should she wish to try
that again .She would find herself in the Ocean! Woow.... She suddenly
let loose on a stream of French word's Ummmm? ...... Creating a petard
as if she were victim of a massive crime? Even the local fishermen
seemed a little wary of her (she definitely retained a strange sort of
history in this Marina). To cut a long story short.. After looking
at the slight damage she'd caused to "Apple" yacht..i offered to take
advise from the police, she suddenly retreated to her car & sped-away,
leaving her scuba party standing in pure shock on the wharf?
& both Veronica & Myself were still totally confused at her action,
but were still determinet to make Bora Bora before nightfall as it was
now the 4th of July... so we simply headed out... arrived at Bora Bora
for sunset... amazing!!
So Bora Bora party was amazing & a whole different story.... really
enjoying the ever unfolding story M&V & 2x Apple's
i
