Tag Archives: wayne

Tauna, Gambier

Gambier Showcase With Wayne Part I

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We are so blessed that our good friend Wayne comes to visit so often.  He has visited us four times in French Polynesia, but this is his first time in Gambier.  We plan to show him all of our favorite places!

One of the supply ships arrived the day before Wayne.  We had hoped it would be the Taporo VIII but it was the Taporo VI (the VIII was being repaired).  The unfortunate thing for us was that it did not have our fuel order (diesel or gasoline) and it did not bring very much fresh produce.  We have not seen a supply ship in over a month so fresh goods are super slim which is unfortunate.  Oh well, the next ship comes in 3 weeks.

Supply Ship Taporo VI

Supply Ship Taporo VI

The next day, we headed to Totegegie which is where the airport is located.  We anchored right by the airport and picked up Wayne with his loads of goodies for us.

Poor Wayne had a huge supply of goodies to haul to French Polynesia.  We had several key elements fail on Sugar Shack that needed new parts (washing machine, watermaker, windlass) and he brought an array of other boat paraphernalia.   It filled 1.5 suitcases!!!  Thanx Wayne!

Totegegie (airport and false pass)

We stayed one night at the airport anchorage and enjoyed the solitude of this pretty spot.  We walked around to the windward side of the island, up along side the airport runway, and back over the leeward side of the island.  Many beautiful sunsets over Mangareva.

Puamu Paradise

We took Wayne to the furthest North motu called Puamu.  This is one of our favorite spots because very few boats make it this far north.  The motu is privately owned and the locals only come out on holiday weekends.  So, we usually have this slice of paradise to ourselves.  We anchor in 2 meters of water and enjoy snorkeling and walking around the motu.

Taravai

We had a beautiful downwind run from the east side of Gambier to the west side.  We put up the parasail and enjoyed a leisurely sail.

Wayne arrived just in time to enjoy an authentic Sunday Funday BBQ.  This day is extra special as we celebrate Alan who is leaving to join the French military.  22 boats and over 65 people come to wish him well.  Photo is only of the small group of people we know well 🙂

Tauna

Tauna is a really small motu on Gambier’s outer reef.  The motu itself is a bird refuge and has become the home of many species and their nests.  The long sandy spits make it a perfect launching pad for kite surfers.  We tend to come here on calm days so that it is less crowded.

Tauna

Tauna

Perfect sunset shots looking back into the lagoon.

Akamaru

We spend a few days at the little island called Akamaru (also known as Remy’s Island).  The waters are simply gorgeous, clear, and turquoise.  We spend several hours just hanging out in the water.

We take Sweetie out to explore the reefs and shallow bommies.  All three of these photos were taken from the dinghy – that’s how clear the water is.

The village of Akamaru consists of a church and maybe 8 or 9 houses.  It is very isolated and remote.  The people who live here grow lots of fruits and vegetables as well as vanilla.

Akamaru Village

Akamaru Village

And then there are the spectacular sunsets.  This top photo is one of my favorites

Big birthday celebrations in our last blog. Events from this blog post occurred beginning of February.  Stay tuned for part II of Gambier Showcase with Wayne – coming up next!  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Air Head Sally – Blow Up Friends

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Flat Stanly has nothing on Air Head Sally.  We try to get creative to keep our friends entertained during confinement.    (Air head Sally helps us along.  No blowup dolls were hurt during this episode).

Air Head Sally is a happy member of our crew and really enjoys when we have guests onboard.  She practices safe measures during covid.

She loves to read and takes great pleasure when guests bring her magazines.

Although, she realizes now, that she needs reading glasses like the rest of us old farts.  Some find reading glasses sexy??

Always up for a good snorkel, she floats at the surface like we do.

Sometimes she gets overzealous with the vitamins…

But after a little nap she is back her old tricks.

Jumping into a good party like any good guest on Sugar Shack.  Of course she drinks hinano beer with the boys and manon rose (corte de provence of course)

The next morning, she takes care of business right on the bed (oops).

She just loves to cuddle.

She pops up in unexpected places.

Air Head Sally is so deflated when our guests leave that she actually tries to go home with them.

Just a wee bit of fun to brighten your day…like this rainbow over Tahiti

In our last blog, we try to entertain Wayne and Deborah during lockdown.

Events from this blog post occurred during the third week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Underwater Sanctuary

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Lockdown was extended for another 2 weeks.  A real disappointment, but not a surprise as delta ravages French Polynesia.  Just means we have to get more creative to fill our time.  Clarification around the restrictions for cruisers were released and we are now allowed to swim and do water sports within 1 kilometer of our boat.  Sweet.  So, we discover an underwater sanctuary right behind Sugar Shack.

Deborah heads back to the states after spending a week with us on Sugar Shack.  Once we drop her off at the ferry dock, we move Sugar Shack to a new to us anchorage on the south side of Vaiare Bay.  It is super lovely, and after 24 hours we are the only boat here.

Vaiare Bay, Mo'orea

Vaiare Bay, Mo’orea

We miss the sunset from here, but we still get magnificent fiery skies.

And one more with an orange sky

We are anchored in 2.5 meters of beautiful, clear turquoise water.  We have lots of happy hour guests the love to hang out with our green light.

Underwater Sanctuary

Rumor has it that the reef behind us hosts an underwater sanctuary for loads of fish and pretty corals.  Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  We explore the reef over several days and love getting a glimpse of the underwater sea dwellers.

Underwater Sanctuary

Underwater Sanctuary

The above photo was taken at the surface looking at the marker (top), looking back at Sugar Shack (way in the distance) and Wayne striking a pose.

Lots and lots of purple coral in this area.  It was as if the coral was telling us we were amongst underwater royalty.

This very large coral head topped the surface and created a super cool reflection off the water (top).  The bottom photo is me at the edge of the drop off.  You can see it goes way deep (dark water upper right) with the light beckoning me to come explore.

Life Abounds

These underwater gardens were teaming with life.  We played with a huge variety of fish that were all curious to see the new visitors to their underwater kingdom.  A beautiful little turtle decided his shallow sanctuary was too close for comfort and headed toward the deep.

It was amazing to see such a variety of fish enjoying this piece of paradise.  Loads of butterfly fish, triggers, bat fish, neon fish, and angels.

And we swam through a school of fish trying to glean some information about their underwater education.

It always amazes me how much beauty is underwater, just a stone throws away from our boat.  It is like visiting your favorite TV series each day, but in person.

The three musketeers

Thank you for spending lockdown with us Wayne!  Even though it was not ideal, we had a great time hanging out with you.

Our new GoPro 9 took the underwater photos.  Thank you Dad!!!!

We introduce Air head Sally in our next blog..  In our last blog, we try to entertain Wayne and Deborah during lockdown.

Events from this blog post occurred during the third week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.