Monday, 16 July to
Thursday, 26 July 2018
After leaving Port Moselle marina we sailed around the
corner to the well protected Ile Uere. We went ashore for a walk and after RQ
boat Windward Passage left we had the bay to ourselves.
After a quiet night, we sailed south in an NNW wind that
slowly went around to WSW during the day. We put the spinnaker up about 1100
and planned to stop at Ilot Mato in the south lagoon. By lunchtime we were
romping along in a moderate westerly and we decided to go all the way to Kuto
at Ile des Pins.
We arrived just on dark
after averaging 8 knots all afternoon.
The
wind was SW by this time and the anchorage at Kuto was a bit rolly.
We went for a walk around in the morning and were
disappointed to discover the bakery/shop closed at 1130 and not 1200 as we
thought. We revisited the convict ruins which are looking very unkempt which is
sad given the role they played in the history of the island. New signs (with
some English) had been put up near the new dinghy dock for the cruise ship
passengers to read but clearly no one has thought to also do tours of the
ruins.
After lunch we headed across to Ilot Brosse, just 4nm to the
south. There was only one other yacht here although the locals bring tourists
out for lunch and a swim.
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| Warren braving the water - too cold for me! |
We walked across the island one day being careful not
to fall into the many deep holes near the track.
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| Can anyone explain these? |
After 2 nights here, we motor-sailed around to Baie d’Oro,
entering the inner anchorage off Le Meridien resort just before high tide with 2m of water. A
beautiful anchorage that we shared with a NZ power boat one night and the
catamaran,
Lazarina from Papeete for
the next 2 nights.
Unfortunately, the weather was quite unsettled however we managed
a hike to Baie de Upi and swam in the Blue Lagoon. The coral was ok but there
were lots of fish so it is well worth a visit.
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| Baie de Upi |
On Sunday, we rode our bikes to the local shop about 6kms
away for bread only to discover that there is no bread on a Sunday. None for 2
in the bread department!
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| Morning tea at the church |
On Monday, we motored around to Gadji, another of the jewels
of Ile des Pins. The anchorage is only 2m deep and the water colour and clarity
are beautiful.
We kayaked around the “mushroom” rocks, explored the beaches and
enjoyed sundowners with Stefan and Michelle off
Lazarina. Stefan has sailed from French Polynesia and is making his
way to Australia later this year as part of a circumnavigation.
After 3 days we exited the lagoon via the south after Warren
spoke to a local charter boat skipper who advised him this is an all tide
entrance. Our normal route from the west requires at least half tide. We left
in company with
Lazarina for the trip
back to the south lagoon and Grande Terre.
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| Lazarina |
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