We had an uneventful trip to Papeete. The first day we had light winds and the following day we had no wind at all. Dinis was very sad for leaving the Tuamotu archipelago, but I was ready for a big city. We arrived Thursday 30 June in a beautiful but very busy harbour. We are med moored at Quai Bir-Hakeim downtown Papeete. Was quite a process to get ourselves settle at the quay as you do not use your own anchor, but instead have to get the line from the quay and then pull the line which is attached to an anchor, you then tie the anchor to the boat and then reverse back to tie the back of the boat to the quay. We were lucky that some of our friends were at the same quay and there was not much of a current which helped us. Needless to say we went for supper with our friends, after such a long time we really enjoyed not having to cook.
For the next two weeks it is festival time, we planned our trip so that we can be here for the famous festivals. Friday morning we watched some canoe races. Quite exiting, young and old taking part in their national sport. In the evening we bought tickets to see the opening show to the start of the festival. There is no way I can try to describe the show, it was absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately taking any photos and videos were prohibited. The show started with the fire dances and what is so amazing is that the participants range from about 4 years to about 70 years. The highlight was the dancing, just spectacular, the women so elegant and graceful and the men so strong. The costumes were so colourful and were decorated with seashells, leaves and pearls. So beautiful.
We did manage to get all out propane bottles filled, got most of our groceries. Now the only tasks left are to fill the diesel tanks, do the laundry and find an internet cafe. We will stay downtown until Monday morning and then go to an anchorage about 10 nm south from here.
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