From Tahiti to Moorea

We are at the starting line on time. The main is set, the genoa ready. Helmut, the skipper of the Freya, gets us into a good starting position. There's a Canadian to leeward who's right on our tail, and an American to windward. The starting signal is given, the catamaran sets course and Gaby and I set the genoa. The boat quickly picks up speed. We are on the sailing rally from Tahiti to Moorea. Yesterday afternoon we met the other crews at the briefing. The organizer emphasized once again that this is not a race. But as the saying goes: if two boats are sailing in the same direction, it's a race. We are 16 boats.

Rallye Tahiti-Moorea, Starting grid

Of course, the focus is on having fun. In addition to Gaby and me, who complete the Freya crew, there are also three local children and another from New Zealand on board. The father of the New Zealander, who is also on board, is a marina manager in New Zealand and presents his marina during this rally. Last but not least, there is a chaperone on board for the Polynesian children. The children have a lot of fun and we are pleased that we as sailors can give something back to the local population by making it possible for them to sail with us. 

Young people at the Moorea Rally

The wind is light and with a little engine assistance we quickly set off from the field. The idea is to cover the short distance to Moorea as quickly as possible to give the children the opportunity to let off steam in the anchor bay. After a good third of the way, we are out of the wind cover of Tahiti and we can sail on without the engine. Our destination is Opunohu Bay in the north of Moorea. We are the first to cross the finish line, the pass of this bay. 

Arrival in Moorea

We drop anchor in the far south of the bay and the children can hardly wait to jump into the water. We finish the anchor maneuver just in time as it starts to rain. The Moorea Yacht Club was just visible and then, a short time later, disappeared behind a thick wall of rain. The surrounding mountains are no longer visible either. The children don't mind. From the boat into the water and back onto the boat via the bathing ladder. This goes on for hours. Even the lunch that Babsy has conjured up on the table can't stop the hustle and bustle. We adults are very hungry, but the teenagers don't seem to be. Of course, each of the boys had packed a lunch, but in the end they don't seem to trust the potato soup, which was excellent, by the way. It's a case of what the farmer doesn't know, he doesn't eat. All I can say, lads, is "Tough luck, you missed out on something." That leaves more for us, which makes us very happy.

Breakfast on the Freya, Moorea

It's still pouring with rain when we launch the dinghy. The boys have to go back to Tahiti and the New Zealanders want to go to their reserved lodge and finally put on some dry clothes. The planned dinner at the Yacht Club has to be canceled at short notice due to the heavy rain. After everyone has disembarked and Helmut has collected various forgotten items from other boats, I can finally jump into the water. The warm water and the rain from above are simply wonderful. There is almost no wind and the bay is as shallow as a lake. The contours of the mountains slowly become visible again. The vegetation reaches right up to the shore, which is densely forested. The rain drums on the tarpaulin and plays the song of freedom. As suddenly as it came, it stops again. We sit with a beer and soak up the wonderful evening atmosphere. These are the days we enjoy and live for as sailors.

Outrigger boat, Moorea

The event continues the next day. Polynesian sport is the order of the day. Dugout canoes are lowered into the water, a course is set out for a banana run and coconuts are peeled. It's the first time I've ever sat in a dugout canoe with an outrigger. There are six of us with a helmsman. One of us gives the command to change sides of the paddle. And then we're off. The boat accelerates and we paddle like crazy. But we don't stand a chance against the experienced local crew. Nevertheless, it was a lot of fun. After the sporting event, it becomes traditional. Lunch comes from an earth oven. I have no idea what I ate, but it was delicious and plentiful. After lunch, a nap would have been just the thing, but various groups performed a few dances. 

Dancers on Moorea

Men and women alternated at first and then mixed at the end. A really successful event. Back on the Freya, we took care of an anchor problem. The winch kept switching off for inexplicable reasons. As the weather forecast for Monday predicted winds from the south-east, we wanted to return to Tahiti on Sunday. It was not until late in the evening that we weighed anchor and made our way back. Passing two mega yachts, we find the exit from Opunohu Bay and set course for Papeete. As the wind is already coming from the east, we have no choice but to motor the whole way. We reach Papeete Marina shortly before midnight and tie up in the box. 

I am satisfied, Moorea

The mooring beer is a must, of course, and so we fall into our berths on the Katinka late at night. A great weekend comes to an end. We enjoyed Moorea so much that we will definitely be returning. Then we will take more time to discover the island. Until then, we wish you fair winds and keep a stiff upper lip.