Worrall Wind Update 3/1 - Society Islands Arrived

Day 2/3 - Land Ho Moorea! The Dream is Realized!

UTC/Local Time: 0712/2112

Latitude: 17.30.266 S
Longitude: 149 49.221 W

Update:

Tuesday, June 1:
The wind decreased to 7 knots towards late afternoon of day 2 and our forward progress was pitiful. We were under 1 knot of speed in the 2 meter swells. Our estimated travel time of 2 days was now estimating a July through September arrival. Given our experience and resolve not to run with the whisker pole or genny at night,it was time to turn on Lehman and Ray (engine and auto pilot)as the weather was showing decreasing wind over the next few days. We are all ready for some land.
We turned on the engine about 3:30 p.m., and under motor with a small tail wind we should arrive in Moorea early tomorrow afternoon.

Wednesday, June 2:
By 2:30 this afternoon, we were anchored in Cook's Bay in Moorea. This island with the backdrop of the lush green mountains with cumulus clouds building on top with deep blue seas is where we started the dream 15 years ago. On our 25th wedding anniversary, we came to Moorea and saw sailboats in the bay. We said, wouldn't it be wonderful to sail our own boat here someday? At that time, it was just a fantasy dream. As we were waiting on the bow while we were making sure the anchor was really set, Russ said, "Pinch me, are we really here?" I gave him a little pinch and a kiss. Yes we are really here! It's unbelievable. We did it! In the bay with us are several other Puddle Jump boats, including Alobar and Furthur.
We disembarked and went for an afternoon walk into town. We all seem to be having some difficulty getting money from the ATMs. We tried three of them with no success. Our challenge tomorrow will be to figure that out. In the meantime, we used plastic to buy some groceries and had a wonderful French dinner of curried shrimp and rack of lamb at one of the established restaurants on the bay. We sat next to the water and noticed that manta rays were swimming in. We counted 9. The waiter told us that up to 13 come in every night and are hand fed by the owner around 8:00 p.m. Sure enough at 8:00 p.m. the owner, descended the steps to the water with some tuna. The rays were flapping and vying for his attention as he pet them and gave them some tuna. It was fun to watch.

Garyn and Jess have gone to bed and we will be following as soon as this update is posted. It will be a joy to sleep all night on still waters. We look forward to some snorkeling and hiking over the next couple of days.

It is a beautiful night in Cook's Bay. It's very still. We cannot feel the boat move at all. The stars in the inky sky are brilliant. The moon has yet to rise. We have the doors and windows open and covered with mosquito netting. Off to our port side their is a church community center. When we walked by after dinner this evening, the place was packed what looked like funeral (not a lot of happy faces). Now that we are on the boat, we hear Polynesian singing waft across the water. Lovely.
All is well on Worrall Wind.