The Romantic Island

So what do you think of the site? I put it together using free software called WordPress and an $80 theme called Thesis. This is my first attempt at setting up my own website so it’s pretty basic…I know. At least I don’t have to wait on anyone to fix anything. If I want to make a change I do the research and change it. Not a bad deal for $80.

I’m still moored here at the Yacht Club. I’ve spent a lot of time on the internet wrapping up my stateside life for a while. I bought an unlimited access account from Iaoranet and I get a pretty good connection all the way out here at the second to last mooring. I figure it’s best to get all this done now before Margie gets here and we’re out filming or having fun somewhere. It’s good to have this transition time back into the cruising life as the two couldn’t be on farther extremes of lifestyle spectrum. It’s a bit depressing to be on “the romantic island,” surrounded by honeymooning couples, by myself but I get along ok. There’s always some entertainment to be had at the club. Last night they brought in a band and I had the best night I’ve had since my return. In the words of Anthony Bourdain, “there is nothing finer in this world than a good pub” and the BBYC on a Friday night is about as close as I’ve found to a good pub in this area of French Polynesia. You would think that some French sailor would settle down on one of the islands around here and open up a dive bar on the water. Cans of Hinano for 350 cfp and a 400lb polynesian guy sweating into the fryer out back would be great. Instead, a visit to a bar usually involves drinking a beer next to young Australian newlyweds dining on foie gras or a delicate duck confit. I’ve seen older photos of the inside of this yacht club covered in yacht burgees, t-shirts, and stickers but those days are no more. It’s a bonified restaurant nowadays that also happens to have a bar that’s a great time on Friday nights. Highly recommended to anyone visiting this area.

Sandwiches are my life right now. I have no cooking gas and no expectations to have any till later this week in Tahiti. See, trying to devise the safest propane install possible, I neglected to learn that horizontally mounted propane tanks come with a new-fangled fill valve that is basically impossible to get filled overseas. So now I have my tank safely mounted on the transom where any possible leak will drift or blow overboard and I have no gas to leak. I’m in contact with some guys in Tahiti that should be able to help me out even if I have to completely replace the valve with some European style. Ham, turkey, and cheese have become my best friends followed closely by the premade Chicken ceasar salads they have in the grocery store (which oddly come with italian dressing) and the occasional cold can of beef stew or even meatballs from Ecuador.

Tomorrow…maybe…I’ll depart for the Tahiti/Moorea area where I’ll stay for the next few weeks till Margie gets here. That’s right, I’m moving from “the romantic island” to “the island of love.” There’s supposed to be a cool sandbar on the southside of Tahiti a buddy recommends.  Maybe I’ll check that out.  Hehe…