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Makatea Belvedere Lookout

The Astonishing Tour of Makatea-Part II

In our last blog post we shared the mining of phosphate and some of the amazing history of Makatea.  We had so much to share that it just would not fit in one blog.  So, here is the rest of our spectacular tour.

Open Air Museum

Deep in the center of Makatea is an old building that used to be the bakery, ice storage, and magasin (market or store) for the workers.  It is now a hollow reminder of what once was.  However, Julien has plans to turn this into an open-air museum for tourists.

Abandoned Building Housed Bakery, Ice, Magasin

Abandoned Building Housed Bakery, Ice, Magasin

The pastor of the Protestant Church grows organic vanilla beans. We were super pleased to meet him and check out his crop.  He gave each of us 3 vanilla beans as a welcome!  Sweet.  It doesn’t sound like much, but he could have sold each bean for $8-12 and he gave away 12!

Organic Vanilla Bean Farm

Organic Vanilla Bean Farm

The largest hole that dug on the island is over 75 meters deep.  It was and still is a source for fresh water.  Julien had 5 men work for 11 days to clear out the debris on the bottom with the hopes of using it as a fresh water source in the future.  The pulley still stands proud on the edge of the immense hole.

Pulley used to lift water from depths of 75 meters

Pulley used to lift water from depths of 75 meters

You can still see the pipe that brought up water from the depth of the hole and then made a sharp 90 degree turn.  The hole is slightly covered by vegetation, but nobody can see 75 meters down.

75 Meter Fresh Water Hole

75 Meter Fresh Water Hole

Belvedere Lookout

We discovered a magnificent view after a small walk down a narrow path.  It overlooked the eastern beach and provided a fabulous photo opportunity.  Yves and Martha (Break Away) and Matt and I.

Belvedere Lookut Over Eastern Side of Island

Belvedere Lookut Over Eastern Side of Island

Eastern Side of Makatea

Julien drove us to the eastern side of Makatea to explore the beach and a few caves.  What a breathtaking experience.  Matt holding up the rock with his fingers – he is so strong!

Eastern Beach on Makatea

Eastern Beach on Makatea

You could climb up the rock and use a rope to walk across the ledge.  Martha is walking across the ledge in top photo when she discovers the rope just ends.  Bottom left photo is of me on the beach.

Climbing the Cliffs of Makatea

Climbing the Cliffs of Makatea

Fresh Water Cave

Julien had his friend Asu take us into a cave where we clambered down the rocks.  At the bottom was a fresh water pool below the looming stalactites.   We greedily jumped in to cool off and enjoy this rare opportunity to swim in fresh water at the bottom of the cave.  Imagine my surprise when Asu swims towards the back where the ceiling drops to less than 6″ above the water.  Using flashlights, we followed.  Ducking our heads and sucking in our bellies as we swam over stalagmites and under stalactites.  We went deeper into the cave until we came to a second pool even more awe inspiring than the first.  It had dozens of curtains and chandeliers hanging from the roof top.  Unfortunately, I did not bring the underwater camera so the only photo I could take was at the entry point.

Underground fresh water cave

Underground fresh water cave

Museum

Next to Le Maire is a small museum with old photos.  It was great to see what the island looked like in its heyday.  This first set of photos is of the port and the massive transport system they set up to deliver the phosphate to the ships

Makatea port in 1950s

Makatea port in 1950s

This is what the port looks like today:

Makatea Port 2019

Makatea Port 2019

Below: In the top photo shows the destruction of the port in the early 1990’s after they cleaned up the debris.  The lower photo is the same area. You can see the semi-circle in both photos (lower photo between Sugar Shack and trees).  The French government blew up the port in 1988 to protect the locals from injury (diving off the top and fallen debris).

Before and After Shots Port

Before and After Shots Port

After our amazing tour, we went back to Julien’s place for lunch.  He served us coconut crab, poision de cru (fresh raw fish) and a chicken stew with rice.  It included water, beer and a lovely fruit cocktail for dessert.  Our entire day, including lunch was only $50/pp!  Money well spent. Julien is next to me in the black shirt and Asu is next to Matt.

Lunch at Le Maire with Break Away

Lunch at Le Maire with Break Away

Whales in Teti'aroa

A Whale of a Send Off: Passage Teti’aroa to Makatea

Teti’aroa is know for whale spotting, especially from July to November.  We had seen several spouts and watched a few charter boats do the dance around the entrance in search of a whale.  But we didn’t actually see a whale breach the water during our stay.  A little disappointed, we raised the main sail and released the mooring.  It was time to head to a new island called Makatea.  We unfurled the jib and put out our three fishing lines as soon as we left and were crossing the bay.  Then I heard Matt shout “whale.”  I ran back, grabbed the big camera and tried to capture these elusive beauties.

Under full sail with three fishing lines out we had to be careful about maneuvering the boat.  We could not just turn on a dime to go back which was frustrating, but I got a few shots of the mama whale and her baby calf.

Whales in Teti'aroa

Whales in Teti’aroa

We received a send off part just as we were passing Brando island.  A pod of dolphins came to play with Sugar Shack.  We weren’t going very fast, so I am sure it was not much of a sport to them.

Dolphins off Brando Island

Dolphins off Brando Island

Making Our Way to Makatea

We knew it would be a light wind motor sail, but we had hoped for a little more wind than what we got.  Regardless, we had full sails up, port engine running, and three lines out on our way to Makatea.

The moon rose as the sun set in perfect unison.  So gorgeous.

Moonrise and Sunset

Moonrise and Sunset

As we approached Makatea the next morning, we started preparing the boat for mooring.  I was setting the lines for the mooring while Matt brought in the fishing lines.  We caught nothing, zippo, nada during the entire trip!  As Matt brought in one of the lures, we understood why we did not hear the elusive “zing” of the line.  Someone ate our skirt as an appetizer.

Someone ate her skirt!

Someone ate her skirt!

Passage Details:

Miles Traveled:  110 nm

Duration:  20:30

Avg. Speed:  5.3 kt

Max Speed:  8.1 kt

Wind Speed:  8-10 kt

Swell:  .5

Makatea has soaring cliffs that jet into the sky from the sea’s surge.  Making a very imposing sight on entry.

Approaching Makatea

Approaching Makatea

Mooring in Makatea

There is no anchorage anywhere near the island of Makatea.  There are only three moorings that are maintained by the locals.  Lucky for us, there were no other boats when we arrived.  So we had our pick of the moorings.  A fellow cruiser told us that the mooring on the far left (red) is the best one because it is not moored in super deep water (50 meters vs 100 meters).   We circled around and found the painter sunk below the water.  We grabbed the line, threaded our two lines through loop and secured Sugar Shack.    The boat is maybe 8-10 meters away from the surge and the reef – freakishly close!

Surge over reef at Makatea

Surge over reef at Makatea

Long Lost Friends

A few hours after we arrived, we saw a boat on the horizon without AIS.  We could not determine their name so we just watched as they approached.  It did not take long for us to hear the roar of “Sugar Shack.  Hey, it’s Matt and Christine!”  Well they certainly know us….if we only knew them?  They slowly motored up next to us and it was Yves and Martha on Break Away.  We had not seen them since Las Perles, Panama (over 18 months ago).  Sweet!

We let them get settled on the furthest mooring before picking them up to go exploring in town.  We had to navigate the tricky pass that has a big surge over the reef. Lucky for us, Sweetie is equipped with a 25hp outboard.  We timed it between sets and made it in with no problem.  A quick bow anchor and stern tie to dock and we are off.  The photo below shows the surge over the reef between the two poles which is the entrance.

Entrance to Makatea Port

Entrance to Makatea Port

On Shore – Makatea

We found lots of industrial equipment, the le marie (mayor’s office) and a magasin with ice cream and wifi.  We decided to turn back before it got too dark and enjoyed sun downers on Break Away.

Old trains abandoned on the island

Old trains abandoned on the island

The map below shows the trail we will go on during our tour.  See Belvedere and Pot Hole.

Map of Makatea

Map of Makatea

The terrain was mixed between large rocks jetting from the ground to beautiful forests.  I am sure will learn more about this on our tour.

Lots of phosphate rocks on this island

Lots of phosphate rocks on this island

Returning to the port, we see our beautiful boat sitting close to the ruins.

Sugar Shack on her mooring close to the reef

Sugar Shack on her mooring close to the reef