Karl & Kara Go Sailing

  Monday 17 th July, Fare, Huahine, Society Islands, French Polynesia. A lovely Monday afternoon here in Fare when we were supposed to be sailing over to the neighbouring island of Taha'a but the forecast got less and less optimistic and this morning, after an early departure, there was just not enough wind so we turned around and here we still are. There are a lot worse places to be trapped I can tell you, a lot worse. The island of Huahine wasn't even on my radar a couple of weeks ago but friends recommended it and then of course Karl couldn't resist ticking that box. And it has turned out to be a little gem of an island. We've been in the Society Islands since the end of June having left the Marquesas and sailed right on by the Tuamotus (gasps from all the sailors) straight to Tahiti. We had planned to stop in the Tuamotus, they do tend to make the all time favourites lists amongst sailors, but the logistics were driving us nuts. The passes through the reefs only

Tuesday 20 th June, Hakatea Bay (a.k.a. Daniel's Bay), Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, French Polynesia. Hmmm, I've just noticed that there are alot of photos in this blog. Maybe Nuku Hiva is particularly photogenic or maybe I've lost all ability to edit. Vote now. Anyway, just this morning we arrived in this most spectacular of anchorages, completely surrounded by hills and mountains and with views up the magnificent Hakaui valley. Stunning. And so quiet. Only a few other boats and Daniel's house - no village, no roads, no nothing. Well, some goats bleating and earlier someone was strimming Daniel's very well kept lawn. There are a few houses in the other arm of the bay where Karl managed to stock up our fruit supply. The only thing missing was that Karl failed to catch a fish on the short trip over from Taioha'e, otherwise it's the perfect spot to spend the (southern) Winter Solstice. The approach to Daniel's Bay took nerves of steel - you can't see the en

  Wednesday 7 th June, Hanamoenoa Bay, Tahuata, Marquesas. Karl is on deck setting up the new hanging chair he got in the Galápagos to hang off the end of the boom so he can dangle out over the water and keep an eye out for Manta Rays. We've been promised loads of Manta Rays swimming about boats in this bay but so far all we've seen is one ray (not even convinced it was a Manta) swimming unspectacularly along the bottom while we were snorkeling. So given that that's the highest priority task for the day it must mean we're having a mini-holiday? Yes it does. Tomorrow's weather window has vanished so we're here 'til Sunday afternoon with nothing to do but enjoy the view, swim, snorkel, float on our Grenada inflatables, barbeque and wait for the Mantas to appear. Karl declares his new chair a success Thoroughly investigating all possible lounging positions aboard. After a hard day's snorkeling it's time to deploy the inflatables and put our feet up. S