Sailing around Raiatea

Aug 25, 1730
Moored behind Haio Island
Aloha Everyone, we are all having a great time. Rocky and I headed into the the pizza joint in the dark. Once you get to the shallows, it can be a bit sketchy as it can be very shallow with coral. The pizza place has a dock in front with a very narrow channel denoted by a few stakes. It has been a month since I did it last so is hard to remember. Anyway, good fun, we ordered our pizza plus a few interesting looking deserts. Got the pizzas back out to the boat in good shape and devoured them. Karin was still not feeling well, so stayed in her cabin. We were early to bed and then got up at an early hour. Randy made some poisson cru for breakfast and then it was anchor up, the hard way. Luckily, with two other guys, it wasn't too bad. We headed out PaiPai Pass and into the Southern Pacific Ocean. We headed south toward Raiatea and reentered the lagoon at Passe Tetuatiare, after a glorious sail in a breeze gusting to 25 knots. This is the same pass K and I had some trouble entering due to strong outgoing current. This time we could enjoy it. We were hoping to anchor by a motu and do some snorkeling. However, due to wind and overcast, we decided to continue on around the island. We thought about anchoring by NaoNao Is, but it was a bit exposed and overcast so we picked up a mooring in the lee of Haio Is., one of our favorites. I was completely protected from the breeze and is a very tranquil and serene anchorage. After a few boat projects, Rocky and I played our first cribbage game. We kept it close, but he triumphed in the end. The guests then took the dinghy in to explore the island while K and I relaxed and cleaned up. We will be throwing some steak on the BBQ and maybe watch a movie later. A tough life, but we are muddling thru. Hope you all are enjoying yours. Aloha,
David and Karin


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