Tahiti at last

June 20, 2014 Tahiti

Anchored in Tahiti, surrounded by other cruising boats.  Waves crash on the reef about 1/2 mile away.   Moorea is across the channel towards the setting sun.  Every evening there is a different and always beautiful sunset.  Outriggers scoot back and forth, everything from the large 6-8 man teams to single man ones.  The music which echoes over the water in the evening is the lovely rhythms of Tahiti which somehow seem to echo the rhythm of the ocean.    We have to keep reminding ourselves that we are really here.  It does not seem real.  It took 3 years of preparation and 2 years of sailing but here we are.  We can call ourselves real cruisers now. 

Tahiti is a gathering spot.  Everyone needs to clear in with customs/immigration.  Boats are constantly arriving from the other islands as other boats leave.  Everyone has a different deadline on their visa.  I am surprised by how independent everyone is.   I had expected boats to stick together more and  travel in groups.  People discuss their plans with each other and check in of the morning radio net but when it is time to go it is every man for himself.

We are anchored at Marina Taina, which actually caters to the Super Yachts.  There is a line of them along the waterfront, 100 feet long, polished and shinning.  Their booms are longer and thicker than our main mast.  Inside the marina is filled with more ordinary yachts, most of them belonging to locals.  Despite this, we do not find the wealth of shops catering to sailors that we had expected.  There are 2 restaurants and a bar along the waterfront, a small chandlery, a dive shop, clean but cold showers and a laundromat where the machines are  constantly out of order.  Just up the road is a gas station and a surprisingly well stocked grocery store which is open 24 hours.  Up the road a bit farther the other way s the large Carrefour mall with Walmart style supermarket, small clothing stores, electronics/phone store and a cafe with good wifi.

Between the gas station and the grocery is one of the fanciest McDonalds that we have ever seen.  It is set on the waterfront and includes a large lawn with trees and an enclosed swimming area.  the day we were there staff was hosting summer camp type games for the kids.  Yes we ate at McDonalds.  We were ready for lunch ashore and the marina restaurant wanted $25 for a salad so we are at McDonalds.  I am happy to report that both the menu and the prices were the same as the US.  Good old McDonalds.  If you want consistency you can’t beat it.