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First Arrival - Tahiti

Marita's log records the first impressions of Papeete at the conclusion of V215 from Easter Island.

"The following day we set sail in the direction of Tahiti and for the island of Moorea. On the voyage we held a man over board drill and managed to retrieve our big orange fender in under 7 minutes. The easy swell and glow from the setting sun made for some nice photo opportunities for Voyage Crew from the rescue boat of Soren under full sail.

Voyage Crew Peter celebrated his birthday with a couple of G & T’s as the sun set over the pacific. After 45 days at sea together, voyage crew and crew enjoyed what would be their last couple of days sailing together.

On arrival into Tahiti all were a little stunned by the development along the coast. Having spent the past month visiting remote communities on tiny atolls, the buzz of the traffic whizzing along the coast of Cook’s Bay in Moorea was a little bit of a shock for some. Voyage Crew-come-purser, Carol took the opportunity to climb to the look out point, Belvedere on the beautiful volcanic peak of Mt Rotui. The Cooks were happy to find some fresh produce, while the crew enjoyed the night life that this sprawling metropolis had on offer.

On the second night all went ashore to enjoy a fantastic performance put on by a group of Tahitian dancing girls and boys. The boys mouths were agape as they watched the young supple girls gyrate their hips to the beat of the drums.

On the last day of this 49 day voyage we anchored off Point Venus in Matavai Bay. Point Venus was the site of Cook’s observatory, built to record the transit of Venus across the face of the sun to try and calculate the distance between the sun and the earth. Crew and Voyage Crew ventured ashore to check out the impressive lighthouse and the black sandy beaches. That evening we celebrated what had been a fantastic trip with a fancy dress party. The theme ´How Bizarre´ lubricated with a little rum punch, spawned some very creative costumes. Captain Jim dressed in a joc strap and sea boots, Carol came as herself in 20 years time, Ulrich dressed as a worm and had wiggled his way into the flying nun, and painted his face white, whilst cookie Dave spread himself in marmite. The evening kicked on until the wee hours of the morning with many a shanty. Yet another crazed fancy dress party aboard the Soren Larsen!

For some the arrival into Tahiti herald the end of a three month voyage on Soren. All the crew send a special farewell to our long timers, Voyage Crew Kate, Tony, and Audrey. Having travelled with the ship from New Zealand this trio covered over 7000 NMiles through all types of conditions. Congratulations! No doubt you will all be back one day to enjoy more adventures aboard Soren.

The ship tied up along side in Pape´ete for a 10 day lay over period on the 17th of June. Since leaving Auckland in March it was the first time the ship had tied up alongside. The ship was berthed just a step away from the food markets, internet cafes, restaurants and bars. The crew were elated about their new found freedom, being able to step off the ship at their will to seek out the many hidden treasures which Pape´ete had on offer. As soon as the sun is down and the heat of the day behind the city of Pape´ete, the streets come alive.

Every evening small mobile food caravans, les Roulettes set up on the quayside and dish out an array of delicious cuisine’s. The smell of crepes, Chinese food, steak and pomfrites draws quite a crowd each evening. To the side, a band stand has provided a platform for old men to sing and string their guitars and for teenagers to compete against one another in a Hip Hop dance festival.

Aside from painting waterways, topsides, varnishing, making repairs to the starboard generator, provisioning and preparing for a new group of Voyage Crew, the crew had sometime to venture out for a couple of days and take a break!

Ulrich, Mikkel and myself on our time off took a safari tour in a land cruiser through the Papenoo valley on Tahiti Nui.

It was great to escape inland and explore this ancient crater. The drive took us pass striking waterfalls, sheer mountainous peaks and natural swimming pools.

Astrid took a two day escape on the island of Moorea, while Kenny went in search of the best surf break along the east coast with Christiane. Andy took the opportunity to take a refreshers course for his open water dive ticket, whilst Nate endued the pain of yet another tattoo!

The ship and its crew, refreshed after the lay over period were ready to set sail again and explore the beauty of the Society Islands.

It was here that Capt Jim Cottier returned to home to the Bay of Islands, NZ having brought us safely to our final destination at the end of this epic voyage. "

Marita

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Soren Larsen will be travelling to Tahiti in 2006-
See schedule