Tahitian Islands -August 9, 1999

Position: Tahitian Islands -August 9, 1999

We returned to Seaquell on July 31 after spending 6 weeks in Mpls. to be with the family and spending time with friends. This gave the crew time to work on Seaquell after 6 months of cruising. One of the generators had to be rebuilt after experiencing a faulty water exhaust system. The crew also had the chance for some R&R on the local beaches.

During the last week of July, Walter Corcoran, Rita Malloy, and Walter's son Daniel and wife enjoyed a tropical cruise through the Tahitian Islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Huhiane, and Bora-Bora on SeaQuell. We were sorry we missed joining them.

Since returning we spent the past week on the main island of Tahiti getting acquainted and enjoying the people and the tropical temperature. Papeette is the largest city of these Society Islands and is very commercial and growing rapidly. The population of 150,000 is 40 % teenage and younger. There are tropical hotels with cottages on stilts over the shallow water, thatched roofs, and glass in the floor to watch the sea life. It looks pretty funny to see someone standing in a boat with a squeegee cleaning the bottom of the cottages, but we saw it happening.

All of the islands are volcanic with mountains and fantastic coral reefs that reach as much as a mile from shore. The reefs give calm warm water inside the reefs and nice beaches, also good snorkeling and swimming. The 7,000' mountain offered an ideal 4x4 tour to see the tropical growth from the abundant rainfall. The water is unbelievably beautiful shades of blue to green when the sun shines and from the mountain vistas.

The Paul Gauguin art museum is located on Tahiti. The museum provides a history of his life and artwork, however, there is none of his original art here. It is scattered through other parts of the world.

Our company Todd Communications constructed the wireless cable TV system, Telefanu, in Tahiti which I had a chance to visit and see a French TV system in operation. The manager, Luic Brigato and his wife, were very hospitable and joined us for a sail and dinner on board SeaQuell.

We think the tropical French Polynesian islands are just as enchanting as we have always read and the movies have portrayed them to be. We will be spending the next few weeks cruising the islands outside of the main island of Tahiti. They have no large cities and are the real ideal vacation locations .

See you next week.

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