Raiatea
Uturoa main village
We park ourselves right outside of the marina, on a small patch of sand, in 10 metres, where all around is 20metres. Hopefully no-one else will try to anchor there. We have a look around the town but is is very sleepy. There is a walk to the top of the hill to do tomorrow perhaps.
That wasn't a good idea, the walk is not accessible on Sunday, the path goes through private land and they shut it on Sunday. So we have a wander following any road we can find which looks like a good view point. Being Sunday, the three churches we see are humming with songs. A game of petanque is under way on the seafront.... Loads of people participating in what is obviously a serious competition. We get back to the boat late afternoon, just as the drums start beating... Back out we go... Following the music we end up at the end of the cruise ship terminal, where a group of people are rehearsing traditional dances. Even the toddlers are having a go. It was fun to watch.
We need some gas and we are directed to the other marina, They should do it in a day. Of course it does not turn out this way, having moved the boat around the next bay, we are told that it will be a two days wait. Time enough to go further around on the reef, we hoped that we could swim but unfortunately, the current is so strong, I can't cope with it. Even taking the dinghy out to the little island is not viable, between the wind and the current, I'd probably find it hard to get back.
