Rewards!
Twenty years from know when we are looking back on this time in our life what will it be that we remember? What will we miss and what will hope to never experience again? The last few months in French Polynesia will definitely remain tattooed in our minds and hearts as the reason we chose sailing as our way to see the world. French Polynesia is constantly referred to as a “Cruisers Paradise” and it could not be a more accurate label. Leave Raiatea we both knew that realistically we would never have an experience like sailing through the Societies again . The perspective you get on these islands when anchored in the crystal clear lagoons is incomparable to what you can see from land. You are able to sit in only a few feet of crystal clear water, sitting as still as can be because you are completely protected from all the seas fury with a panoramic view of the lush islands behind . The atolls that encircle these islands have protected us from the open ocean for the last few months becoming not only home but our playground. The only entrance into these lagoons has been where we have spent 90% of the our time in French Polynesia. These perfectly constructed passes contain some of the most unreal diving and perfect waves in the universe.

Our first stop in the Societies after leaving the solitude of the wild Tuamotus was Tahiti. We were a little overwhelmed at first but quickly settled into the Polynesian culture and soaked up the fast pace city life of Papaette. Although most days were consumed with mainly errands since it had been months since we had access to markets, laundry, water and internet we always managed to fit in a surf or at least a good adventure. Once we had more or less gotten the boat back to normal we took a trip down to check out the “Oh so talked about” Teahupoo. The monster wave was pretty small and blown out the day we were there but it was a pretty magical little spot and easy to see its potential . After surfing and socializing with friends, that had finally come together after being scattered across the Pacific and a full dose of city life we escaped for better surf and clearer water in Moorea.

Moorea Moorea Moorea! The waves rolled through showing their perfect face day after day after day for a week straight. The time we spent on Moorea allowed us to finally take a deep breath and feel like we weren’t so crazy for deciding to sail halfway across the world to surf a few amazing waves. As the wind died down and the swell increased Gaviota sat still as could be in her protective bubble. While only a few hundred yards away we were able to surf some of the best waves of the trip, if not our life. After the first few days it got too big and the prospects of me ending up looking like hamburger meat on the reef became too great so Brandon took to conquering them alone. He managed to escape with only a few reef cuts and one broken board which was a small price to pay for the epic week that nature had presented us with. The days of surfing and walking along the quiet sleepy roads of Moorea quickly came to an end, as we had stayed until the last possible moment before having to leave for Huahine to pick up our first guest of the trip, Brandon’s sister.
The next few weeks with Christina became in a way like a vacation for us also. We indulged in good food and wine and enjoyed some of the more touristy activities that we don’t usually allow ourselves to splurge on. One of her first days in Huahine we were lucky enough to meet some locals and were able to share some freshly husked coconuts, pomplemous, star fruit and bananas. After seeing the abundance of fruit that the island had to offer we were determined to go be the resourceful trio we were and find our own supply. After a day of riding scooters around the island we came across the “jackpot.” With a handy machete and some savage tree climbing techniques we were able to make off completely loaded down with a stock of bananas, huge pomplemous and more star fruit than we could eat. We only had a few days in Huihine before we had to quickly move on to Raiatea and then Bora Bora where she was flying out of. The days were mainly filled with attempted hikes on some pretty rugged trails and some awesome shark dives. We even managed to reel in a fresh Mahi Mahi during her quick visit. Although the ten days she spent with us kind of turned into a power tour of the Societies we managed to fit in some pretty amazing experiences that we hope will leave her with the same magical feelings we have for French Polynesia.
After saying our goodbyes in Bora Bora we had a new mission to complete. One that we had attempted numerous times but always managed to fail. Our friend Liz who also left from Santa Barbara to sail the world a year before us was only a few miles away on her boat Swell and it was time to find her. After fumbled radio attempts and being anchored only miles away with out ever meeting up we decided with only a few weeks left it was time to get serious and at least get back to the same island she was on. We hightailed it back to Raiatea. Well, actually it was more of a miserable five hour beat back in slop before anchoring off a little motu that became more or less our home for the next two weeks. We finally met up with Liz and her friend Katie and spent the next week surfing and swapping sea stories. It was refreshing and exciting to finally meet up with someone that had chosen this lifestyle for similar reasons as us. We have met and hung out with so many people out here all with different stories and different ideas of what sailing and traveling means to them. To finally connect with someone who is out here to surf and to have the same experiences we are brought back the level of spice and excitement that we had originally left with. Over the next few weeks we spent our days surfing some awesome waves, climbing a few coconut trees, watching local Polynesian dancing, sharing good stories and eating a ton of cookies! It was a perfect place to meet up at the perfect time. We will never forget Raiatea or how lucky we were to have actually run into each other out on this huge ocean! Smooth Sailing Liz!
With time now running out we sit here hanging out with good friends on Bora Bora preparing to leave this enchanting wonderland. All of our time socializing, surfing, diving and exploring for the last two months has clouded our heads of the reality of what lye ahead. This time we won’t be leaving Bora Bora for a day sail to the next island . We are actually in for a rather rude awakening for next time we pull up the anchor it will be for a seven day passage to Swurrovw. As soon as life starts getting comfortable the wind steadily increases, the seas pick up and poof it is time to leave! The ups and downs that life throws at you out here seem to be intensified a million times over. But, it is what keeps us moving. curious and most of all humble.