AdventuresAboardAvatar: Rendezvous Moorea

Rendezvous Moorea

Saturday morning all 70 boats signed up for the Rendezvous were leaving the harbor, to sail the 12 miles across to Moorea. We saw the big ships that bring everything to this island nation and the huge containers it all comes in offloading onto the warf. Talion was right behind us leaving the marina. The weather did not want to cooperate and we had exactly no wind for the start of the trip, so no real racing was to be had, and we all motored. Of course it is supposed to be a rendezvous not a race anyway, but you know what happens when more that one boat is on the water headed to the same place!

We had volunteered to take on guests for the trip. We had no idea who or from where our guest would be. It turned out to be Matt from Cains Australia, who was one of the speakers and represented one of the sponsors.

Once the breeze finally picked up, we rolled out the sails and let cousin Mike drive the boat. As we got closer and closer the wind picked up more and more. It was a delightful sail and I think Mike had fun trying to steer a course in the swell rolling under us. Our jaws dropped open as we were now close enough to see the green beauty and the steep cliffs that is the magic of Mo'orea. We arrived in Cooks Bay, a place that had been on my bucket list to go for a long long time. So the celebration began. There were a lot of boat in the bay and the water was deep for anchoring (60 feet). But it was so inviting, Miguel (we called him that the whole time they were here, so not to confuse the two Mikes) decided to jump in and cool off immediately.

A dingy was approaching us and I asked Matt if he knew who they were, when suddenly I realized it was Rick and Jasna from Calypso, who we had sold the boat to several years ago. It was a joyous reunion and more drinking was involved! Mike and Katie swam over to Morning Light to hang out in one of Scott's floating islands behind the boat. Then the crew of Jade showed up and it was a big reunion all over again with Rick and Jasna and Sea Otter Jimmy. And as promised, Pedro delivered the Mexican Indio dark beer they had requested. Hard to believe he did not drink it before he got there!! Miguel took Erick, Pedro's son, ashore so he could Skype with the new love of his life, Elise. She had crewed for them on the passage, but went to work up in Alaska. Now Erick is planning to jump ship from his dad to be with her again. (awww!)

With a good buzz on, we took showers and got ready for the night's festivities. The crews of Jade, Talion, Avatar and Calypso enjoyed a great reunion dinner. The food chosen by the Rendezvous was either steak or Swordfish, uuhh, I'll have the fish please!!

Then the night's dance show started. More drumming and ukulele playing meant we should get good seats. Tonight was Tahitian style dancing. Katie was picked by one of the dancers to join him along with several other audience participants. She had one big grin on her face!! And she danced quite well! The grand finally of an amazing day, was the fire dancers. Wow were they spectacular!!