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Written by: 7/7/2010 1:58 PM
Wrecked. Jargo was fine, but the 200 mile run from Rangiroa to Papeete left me physically drained. With three other boats in close proximity sleep was an elusive mate. Luck was with me and I easily coasted up to a heavy mooring ball at the infamous Tahiti Yacht Club and secured the massive line to Jargo’s fore cleat. With the boat secure I headed to shore for my first shower with both fresh & hot water since Panama. Words can’t describe the pleasure I took standing under an unlimited supply of water raining down with force on my head and shoulders. A simple pleasure so easily taken for granted in the western world.
Feeling like a new man I made a phone call to a CouchSurfer who’d told me of a party that was to begin in just a few hours. My body, though refreshed from the shower, was screaming for sleep, but I couldn’t resist a cold beer and a party with some locals. Oddly, when I dialed the six digits I heard a phone ring just next to me. My French host was right outside the door waiting for me. With no time to spare I ran my shower things back to the boat, donned my cleanest dirty shirt, and ran the dingy back to shore.
Within a few hours I was surrounded by a couple dozen Frenchmen all swilling beer, wine, and rum. With no French at my command I was reliant on their graciousness and they were quick to switch the many conversations to English. So many people in the States have such horrible opinions of the French, but these people have never shown me anything but the utmost courtesy and respect.
We stayed up late into the night making music with beats from around the world and dancing to dueling djs until the sun crested in the Eastern sky. In between naps and running people to the airport we swam in the sea ringed by Tahiti’s black sand beaches and sang along to a guitar. When sleep finally came that evening it was the sailors sleep of death. I’d held it at bay for another 24 hours and woke the next day unmoved from the position in which I’d lain down.
It’s a good feeling to have a crew on an island where I’ve only just arrived. Jargo will be something of a tour boat this month as I am making plans to sail South for the total solar ecplise on the 11th with Tahitian friends. After that I have company coming in for almost four weeks to help me explore the Society Islands between Tahiti and Bora Bora. After sailing solo more than half way across the Pacific I am making up for the time alone by surrounding myself now with people. It’s a welcome change.
10 comment(s) so far...
Re: Tahiti "...close proximity sleep was an elusive mate. Luck was with me and I easily..."Shutup!!!Just tell us whats going on, details, facts, costs, observations... Leave the prose to Faulkner...
Re: Tahiti
"...close proximity sleep was an elusive mate. Luck was with me and I easily..."Shutup!!!Just tell us whats going on, details, facts, costs, observations... Leave the prose to Faulkner...
Re: Tahiti Your blog is perfect!!! Disregard "d".
Your blog is perfect!!! Disregard "d".
Re: Tahiti Wow just finished your ship log. Enjoy your time and God bless...........
Wow just finished your ship log. Enjoy your time and God bless...........
Re: Tahiti gosh D. forgot your weaties?nice post. Do wonder about the no hot water. No solar shower on the boat. Love those and used them even though my old boat had pressure water. Don't recall if you have a water maker or not. But two gallons of hot water from solar shower goes a long way. You could have had 4 showers at least Since Panama if you filled it there with tap water if water is an issue. Mizzen boom is a perfect place to hang it as well. nice post. If Faulkner would not approve certainly Witman wouldterry
gosh D. forgot your weaties?nice post. Do wonder about the no hot water. No solar shower on the boat. Love those and used them even though my old boat had pressure water. Don't recall if you have a water maker or not. But two gallons of hot water from solar shower goes a long way. You could have had 4 showers at least Since Panama if you filled it there with tap water if water is an issue. Mizzen boom is a perfect place to hang it as well. nice post. If Faulkner would not approve certainly Witman wouldterry
Re: Tahiti have you met Liz Clark yet? I think she is there in Tahiti. Boat name is Swell, Cal 40.
have you met Liz Clark yet? I think she is there in Tahiti. Boat name is Swell, Cal 40.
Re: Tahiti cal 40 Boy what a sweet boat. Learned to sail on one and not sure I will forget her. Sorta like your first real date.it had a tiller of all things niceterry
cal 40 Boy what a sweet boat. Learned to sail on one and not sure I will forget her. Sorta like your first real date.it had a tiller of all things niceterry
Re: Tahiti Hey fellas,Enjoying time on the southside of the island with some locals. proper post in a few days. French keyboards are brutal. Thanks Terry. D, if you want facts and details check out the cruising guides available on amazon.com. this blog is for whatever I feel like posting at the moment.Dave, dont know her but will keep an eye out. Friend of yours? Cheers,Lee
Hey fellas,Enjoying time on the southside of the island with some locals. proper post in a few days. French keyboards are brutal. Thanks Terry. D, if you want facts and details check out the cruising guides available on amazon.com. this blog is for whatever I feel like posting at the moment.Dave, dont know her but will keep an eye out. Friend of yours? Cheers,Lee
Re: Tahiti your prose is great....just not enough posts....put down the drink...rewmove your arm from around the lady and type...
your prose is great....just not enough posts....put down the drink...rewmove your arm from around the lady and type...
Re: Tahiti i second steve's motion! i can't wait to hear more details about your time in tahiti!!!
i second steve's motion! i can't wait to hear more details about your time in tahiti!!!
So. How's the brie? Last Tweet told us you're into brie in a big way. Surely there's more to life in Tahiti than eating cheese! C'mon! Tweety-time, Lee!
So. How's the brie?
Last Tweet told us you're into brie in a big way. Surely there's more to life in Tahiti than eating cheese! C'mon! Tweety-time, Lee!