If you told me a plague would spread across the planet at the begining of the year I would have accused you of watching too many science fiction movies.
The human race has gone from panic and self isolation to living with the threat of possible illness and even death. Some politicians have not made this transition very easy, but at least the hope of a vaccine is a reality for many.
What a year!
How has the pandemic effected life aboard Spirit of Argo?
Not that ‘dramatically’ to be totally honest.
Even at the height of the initial lock down measures in Tahiti we could still go ashore every day. Essential services and hardware stores were still open and we could swim close to the boat to make up for not having a yard. Unfortunately any plans the humans had to travel back to see family were cancelled.
I got to admit, the initial ban on inter island travel, did motivate my humans to get some sorely neglected projects done on the boat. After 9 years of sailing, things need repair and replacing. Spirit of Argo is not getting any younger!
After the initial lock down, French Polynesia was actually Covid free. But, being an island nation and dependent on tourism, that was never going to last long.
As soon as inter island travel was officially reopened the humans sailed us off away from the touristy Society Islands over to the quieter Tuamotu Atolls. We hid out in some quieter corners and amused ourselves.
Finally, with the rainy season fast approaching (cyclone season in the Southern Hemisphere) the humans decided to head North to the protected waters of the Marquesas Islands.
In true ‘Spirit of Argo’ fashion things broke down on the sail, and more things were discovered that needed fixing, so we have not gotten far in re-exploring these wonderful young volcanic islands.
I am not complaining. In true terrier fashion, I have my humans working like a dog while I relax. I have them chauffeuring me to the beach daily, and the generosity of the local fisherman and hunters have me eating like a king.
Will the humans ever STOP working on the boat? When will the Covid vaccine make it to French Polynesia? Where will the humans head to next? When will they be able to see loved ones back home?
All these questions are tiring
Does anyone really know what the NEW YEAR holds in store for us? All we can do is hope for the best. On that note, I will finish off by wishing everyone HEALTH, HAPPINESS and LOVE in the NEW YEAR.
A FEW SNAP SHOTS of the year gone by.
Fireworks off the beach in Moorea to see in the New Year 2020
FAMILY VISIT TO MOOREA OVER THE HOLIDAYS
We were very lucky to have lots of family visiting to see in the New Year 2020They flew into Tahiti and we entertained them on the island of MooreaSpirit of Argo could anchor right off the beach in Opunohu BayThe island offered may snorkeling areas for them to enjoy
BOAT WORK AND LOCKDOWN OFF THE ISLAND OF TAHITI
With family headed home, it was time to sail back to Tahiti and get on with long over due boat jobsOf course nothing goes as smoothly as you would like on a boatIt is nice to have a helping hand when you need itExhausting job supervising these humansAnd then the bustling island went silent as quarantine measures were put into place to eliminate Covid-19 from it’s shores
SAILING OFF TO THE TUAMOTUS BEFORE INTERNATIONAL TOURIST FLIGHTS RESUME
With tourist flights set to resume into Tahiti, it seemed a good time to head to quieter regionsNext stop the group of atolls to the east called the TuamotusFirst stop, meeting up with friends anchored up in Anse Amyot. This is a little protected lagoon on the North end of Toau AtollMet up with old sailing friends and made new friends ashore
FUN INSIDE FAKARAVA ATOLL
Next stop inside Fakarava Atoll where the humans had us anchorage hoping to get in the best snorkeling and divingThe South Pass for the annual shark congregation to await the grouper spawningThen off to explore the multitude of other anchorages within the protected waterEasy sailing inside the lagoon, as long as you keep a watch for bommiesSo many places you can drop the hook you can surely find a place to yourselves
HIDING FROM VIRUS IN TOAU ATOLL
With the number of cases of Covid increasing in Tahiti, and a few showing up on the outer islands and atolls, the humans decided to head to an uninhabited atollThe South end of the lagoon in the atoll of Toau offered some great beaches and swimmingBut, the atoll did not turn out to be so ‘uninhabited’. We met up with two brothers working copra (collecting and drying coconuts) on the motus. Despite Covid they adopted us and taught us how to make some very fine Polynesian cuisine
SAILING ON UP TO MARQUESAS
After hiding out in the Tuamotus for a bit, it was time to head north to greener pasturesGreeted by mates as we pulled into Taiohae Bay, Nuku Hiva
TAIOHAE BAY, NUKU HIVA
Horsing around in Taiohae BayA few essential repairs, some hiking and far too much socializing and next thing we knew grass had grown on the anchor chain and Christmas had arrivedMy humans do not need an excuse to do even more eating and socializing. My pandemic bubble.And since we are already having a party, perhaps we can have few more mates join in.Might as well accept we not going far until after New Years
AND THEN DISASTER STRUCK
The humans spotted something very wrongA few outer strands have snapped on the rigging. Maybe it is better we did not go far?Of course further inspection reveled more rigging problems.The weld on the furler base plate has crackedAre these humans ever going to get us back sailing?I guess there are worse places to be waiting for parts.
