After a busy week of activities both on and off the water in Tahiti most of the fleet managed to leave the hustle and bustle for the waters of Cook's Bay in Moorea some 9 miles away. Cook's Bay named after Captain Cook, who visited the bay and the next door bay of Oponohu about 300 years ago. Rally yachts have been anchored at the head of the bay next to the atmospheric Bali Hai Hotel, whose palm-fronded restaurant and facilities have become a home from home for the Rally.

We have been given an extremely warm welcome here for this our seventh visit. Most crews have been renting mopeds and cars to tour this beautiful tropical island. However, most impressive have been the exploits of the Blue Water Rally hiking goup, who set off the other morning at 0700 for an 7-hour walk to the Belvedere and return through the rainforest. (The Belvedere offers the most amazing view of the two bays which make Moorea so famous and this viewpoint is set amongst near vertical mountain faces at over 2000 feet.) In the evenings local canoe teams have been practising and have streamed past our anchored yachts as the crews enjoy their "sundowners" in this most beautiful of anchorages. In fact, Brian Baker of "Our Island", who has circumnavigated previously and is sailing with us this time, believes that Cook's Bay is the most beautiful of all in the South Pacific. I am sure that no one here disagrees.

One of the traditional functions that the Blue Water Rally enjoys in the South Pacific is the BBQ and Dance Show here at the Bali Hai Hotel. Last night male and female dancers in traditional dress entertained Rally crews on the lawn of the hotel at sunset to the sound of a musical group of drums and guitars. The evening concluded with a superb choice of BBQ'd meat and seafood dishes served on the wooden deck over the water in front of our anchored yachts.

There have been 2 optional briefings for skippers in preparation for their cruise through these magical Iles Sous le Vent (Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora). Yachts will be cruising slowly towards Bora Bora for a rendezvous around 25 May.

I am unable to send pictures at present, but these will follow soon after 8 May