After
spending the last 14 years in mostly the dry desert of Baja Mexico,
we are now dealing with rain on a daily basis. Some times harder
than others. We thought we we had all the leaks fixed, until the
really hard rain. One night it dumped unbelievably. Sounded like we
were under a waterfall!! A 100 year record was broken in Papeete
January 22 with over 200mm (almost 8 inches) in one night! Dinghys
that had been left overnight at the dock were almost completely
filled with water!
We
have sailed back and forth between Mo'orea and Tahiti several times
now, depending on which direction the weather is supposed to come
from. We are currently (Feb. 17, 2017) watching the second depression forming this
season.
When
the first one was scheduled to blow 35+ from the NW, we decided to
head over to Mo'orea and hide in a Southerly anchorage.
This
is what it looked like from Tahiti the day before. Squall is coming
from the NW! And Mike is checking the anchor.
A
wild looking cloud over the Intercontinental Resort which is to our
North.
The
sun makes amazing rays of light coming through the clouds.
And
when it is raining on Tahiti and the sun is setting in the West, we
often get a rainbow over the island. This one just happened to be
complete and spectacular!
Sometimes
even after the rain the most amazing sunsets show up!
These
clouds over the resort turned fuchsia pink in the setting sun.
For
the predicted depression, we sailed to Viarapa Bay on the very
Southern tip of Mo'orea. Our friends on Calypso were anchored under
this cloud in Viare Bay where the ferries normally land. But on this
day they were canceled!
As
we approach Viarapa it is raining pretty hard in the bay.
But
again, the lighting from the sun and the rain can be spectacular!
From
the South side we see a pinnacle rock, not normally seen from the
North side.
The
skies were black and a large tree is stuck on the reef.
This
bay is protected from the West to the East through the North. This
point is the Southern most tip of Mo'orea and you can see the
lighthouse on the reef in the distance, with a black black sky
behind.
It
turned out to be perfect spot behind those big mountains. We saw 40
knots at the max. So with it over, we sailed back to Tahiti to
finish our project. It was Chinese new years and the mall was duly
decorated.
With
nice weather forecast and wanting to find some dolphins playing,
And
children on toys, in the shadows of Mount Rotui, we spent two lovely
weeks with good weather over in D'Openeau bay on the North side of
Mo'orea.
While
we were there a bunch of fish made our prop and rudder crack into
their homes.
As
we cleaned the bottom of the boat (mowed the grass), several of these
puffer fish came by to see what we had to eat.
I
found this beautiful heart/bird shaped complete clam shell on the
bottom in the sand.
One
morning, unannounced, a strong squall came around the headland. It
blew 30 knots and rained hard.
But
luckily no one in the anchorage dragged and the waves were not too
big because of the headland.
Once
again amazing sunsets seem to follow. It was reflecting in our
dorade vent.
It
was time to sail back to Tahiti because some parts were ready to be
picked up. But as we sailed past Cooks bay, a big gust came out at
30+ again and we were down to just the staysail.
Mike
did not seem to concerned once we got the boat under control again.
It
was Mr. Toad's wild ride as we rounded the corner of Mo'orea.
The
wind out of the South was pumping again and the seas got a bit bumpy.
Several
splashed right over the bow and onto the deck and dodger.
Finally
about half way there it laid down and cleared up and Tahiti was in
view.
The
sunsets have been beautiful again.
And
you can see Mo'orea in the distance again, not covered in rain.
Rainy
season ends April 1st!! (we hope!)
No comments:
Post a Comment