Sailing Evenstar

Nice video by Finny from our spectating session at Teahoupoo. He sent it to Stab Magazine who published it; and it now has 170k+ views. 17k+ likes.  Great comments from the "victim" in there.  Here's the vid:  Stab Mag video Chopes   Finny,  can I have my phone back now?   

 The young blade in the bow took this shot. Two blokes in their mid 50's, talked in to taking the dinghy through uncertain, boiling, tidal waters, to look at Teahoupoo; when it could be firing, or not, or maybe we'll run out of fuel, or not, and Evenstar was left on anchor at Vairao with the swirling  current yanking at the 75m of anchor chain we had out...  Yes we were a little anxious.  As it happens we pulled the pin when the fuel tank started to feel a bit light and we hit a strong headwind with a little way to go. It seems we missed some good action: We'll try the bus and head back tomorrow for a proper look. 

After farewelling Cathe I joined Easso and Fin back at the boat.  The reality of being isolated in a non-functioning boat in the sweltering tropical heat nailed home the realities. My best friend and lover had gone back to Australia... WTF was this vainglorious idea?  What had I been thinking? Was I really up for this?  I could go on quite a bit longer in this vein. I certainly did then and many times since. But I had vehemently and most certainly cast the die. Gears were set in motion that could not readily be reversed.  To avoid dwelling on emotional and existential crises, my bent is to focus on the practicalities... On paper this project made sense, even if at other, deeper levels it was fraught.. Giovanni the mechanic had been relentless. After 2 day's of sleuthing in the sweltering engine room he got the motor running...  We were operational.  The lure of some more swell on the horizon suggested we try our luck at Haapiti on Moorea.  Wow. Haapiti, what a spot. Unbelievable gl

Finally it was time for Cathe to head home... See you soon Hon.  It was an emotional farewell. Enough said. 

So after many months we finally met Simon and Andre. And Evenstar. And we caught up with Easso who had arrived a couple of days earlier. We had a fun night on the town hearing about Simon and Andre's eventful trip. We wished them bon voyage for their flight the next day.  Finally we were on board. However, a yacht immobilised on an airless and sweltering marina in Tahiti quickly loses it's charm. Finbar was arriving shortly so it was time to make alternative plans; a road trip beckoned.  Cathe and I headed down the coast for the weekend, and after a false start we had a couple of relaxed nights at the very chilled Manomano bungalows on the black sand beach at Taharuu. Then it was a quick zip back to get Finbar, Easso, and (finally) my globetrotting surfboards.   Sabrina's place at Vairoa seemed like a good Air BnB option. And it was.  It turned out that Vairao pass is one of the top breaks in Tahiti, (albeit slightly unheralded), it was right out the front, and Sabrina had

Due to the delays the guys had delivering the yacht we needed to find a venue for an extra week.  Moorea is the Island to the west of Tahiti. We thought we'd give it a go.  Moorea is the land that time forgot. Hardly anyone lives there, it's very quiet. Except maybe King Kong is lurking in the volcanic rain-forested mountains.  We stayed in a waterfront house on the northern side, the most populous part. Which is to say there is pretty much just one road, with a few side streets.  We did yoga in the cabana and swam off the little dock. We ate in at nights. We kayaked out to the reef. Super chill.  The guide book offered hikes. So after some confusion about maps we walked to the the 3 pines ridge, looking out over Openohu Bay. Hot, wet, humid, a little muddy, about 5 discrete types of rainforest, and a great view from the top. Moorea was cool. Then finally the guys had arrived at Tahiti, motor not working, and a few other casualties from the gruelling passage. So we headed over