Two weeks in Tahiti

Hand sorting recycleables

Crushed pop cans

Mountain backdrop to Papeete

 

Two weeks in Tahiti

May 15 2015

This has been a long stop for us on this trip. But it is considered the last place to work on the boat and provision easily until Australia in Sept. As well as the new and larger battery bank, we bought three new solar panels. We will install the older two somewhere, perhaps on the davits. With light winds in the marina and the power being 220v, we aren't getting power from shore or the wind or hydro generators. Rob is working on installations at the moment. Nothing is simple on a boat, the panels aren't the same size as previous ones and the chandlery doesn't have the mounting brackets. New wiring and controller also have to be done. All the battery work is done, however. And the sails and canvas are back on.

Tahiti has the most sophisticated recycling system in the Pacific. It was interesting for members of the BPO to have a presentation and a visit to the plant led by the manager, who fortunately spoke good English. Part of his job is to provide incentives to families and businesses to recycle and sort garbage.This includes school programs to educate.  The "green bins" are picked up and eventually the contents are placed on conveyer belts. They are then hand sorted into large bins beneath the workers. In France these workers last about 8 months but here many have been doing it for the 15 years they have been open. The usable waste is then compacted. The cubes of stacked colored cans are quite a sight. Also, the compacted cars after the batteries and fluids are removed. Products like the batteries are shipped to specialist facilities in New Zealand. Ground glass is used as a substitute for gravel under roads and retaining walls. I would be interested now to see all that we do at home.

The eye testing training was provided by an eye clinic in Germany. They have been providing this service to underdeveloped locations for 20 years now. Four people flew here to bring equipment and expertise. As well as the normal eye charts we are familiar with, there are two expensive ($7000) machines that can measure the dimensions of the eyeball, particularly in children. The information is sent to the clinic and glasses are made and sent free to any children that need them. The goal is to help children with compromised sight get a better start in life and in their learning. It isn't perfect as follow up is difficult but it is something to get started and then the parents may seek additional help later. Sailors can play a unique role in making contacts in isolated spots.

Last Sunday 4 rental cars did an island tour. We all took our VHF radios so that Luc and Jackie could comment and keep us together. It is always good to see more of an island than the coast. We did a circumnavigation of the larger island here, Tahiti Nui. The centre of the island is very mountainous and picturesque. Along the coast there are beaches, some with good surfing and fresh water caves and several gardens. Unique to a boating group was the first stop at a chandlery near another marina. Then a long stop at the Museum for the island. You could spend a whole day there studying the science, geography, culture, and history. We stopped for a buffet lunch at a beautiful spot near the south end. That turned out to be a delicious Mother's Day treat.

 A highlight was being invited back to the home of the owners afterwards. Their house and propertyis impressive and has a long history here. The garden could be a tour in itself. There is a swimming pool and a magnificent view.  Roger Gowan sailed here with police friends from Rhodesia when they were young men. He has a scrapbook with the newspaper articles he wrote of their travels sent to London. Eventually their boat was destroyed on a reef here in Tahiti. (There is a good story about that ,also) . He married a Polynesian, Juliette, and they bought the current restaurant 50 years ago.

There are only 8 boats in the marina now, 4 with the BPO. Unfortunately, Heron Reach has decided to head home to Bellingham,

Wa. They will be leaving today and travel to Hawaii. From there it is back to the west coast ,possibly via Alaska depending on the winds. We will miss them! We have checked out so need to get ready by tomorrow am. I'm not looking forward to getting out of this slip at the inside end of the docks. But it will be exciting to move on, just a short hop to Moorea first.