Huahini

Gord fixed the autopilot and we were underway for the second time. We decided to make a whirlwind stop in Huahine because we didn't want to miss it. And we are so glad we did. Huahine is probably the most beautiful place on earth (so far anyway).

Fare

July 18
We arrived off the main town of Fare, a typical Polynesian town, where life revolves around the freight dock. The town was alive with preparations for outrigger canoe races and the whole town seemed to be in attendance for the event.

Birthday Celebrations

July 19
We had a dual birthday celebration (Donna & myself) with Maahji-Re at a little local restaurant in town. Unfortunately Gord got very ill (something going around) and couldn't eat his meal but we got him back to the boat and postponed the cake eating til later.

(right) A local proudly displayed his tattoo.

Scootin' Around

Gord was well enough the following day to rent scooters with Marv and Donna and we toured the island. It is SO BEAUTIFUL, I can't begin to describe the lush tropical landscape, turquoise waters and volcanic terrain.

The view was spectacular once our little scooters were able to chug and sputter their way to the top of the lookout.

In the lagoon were ancient stone fish traps, still in use today. The Polynesians have made labyrinths of stones, with tortuous paths to confuse the fish, then a small pool at the end to trap them. The locals are really skilled at catching fish in traps and nets, as well as spear fishing

We stopped to watch some of the sacred fresh water eels in a creek below the road. We had seen these eels at the waterfalls.

Although Huahine is the most breath taking and beautiful place I have ever been in my life, the stretches of white sand beaches were pretty much gobbled up by the resorts so we took the opportunity to enjoy the scenery over a drink.

Huahine is now our favorite island in all of French Polynesia, the combination of anchorages, landscape, quaint villages, and the people made it kind of the land that time forgot. In fact the whole island looked like a planted tropical garden with such a varied array of plants, flowers and fruit trees. And motus rested peacefully on the tranquil turquoise water around the island.

July 21

The problem with cruising is that, no matter how nice the place, you eventually have to move on and the clock was ticking on our Visa so we said farewell to Endless and made a course for Bora Bora, with a possible stop in Raiatea for propane.

An interesting area was in a town called Maeva (welcome in Polynesian). There were the remains of about thirty marae (mah-RYE) – sacred enclosures or temples. Construction had begun on them in about 900 AD and continued right up until foreign diseases arrived with the Europeans and 90% of the population died. Most marae had floors of big flat boulders, then big slabs of coral rock marking the chiefs’ ceremonial platforms.

PHOTO ALBUMS OF HUAHINI

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