On June 25, with a following wind, we set sails for Kauehi, a small atoll to the northwest of Makemo.
We chose this atoll because its layout provided an ideal anchorage to shelter from the expected “maramù” for several days. The “maramù” is a wind that typically blows from the southeast in July and August and can reach speeds of up to 40 knots. Atolls offer minimal protection from the wind, as the only shelter is provided by the palms, but the reef serves as an excellent barrier against the waves. Of course, it’s necessary to position oneself on the side from which the wind is blowing to avoid the waves generated inside the atoll.
We reunited with Ron, Ruby, and Alex, all solo sailors, with whom we spent the days of “maramù” in pleasant company, organizing a beach bonfire and some evening drinks on board.
Ron and Ruby lent us their bicycles, which we used to travel to the village, just 13 km of unpaved road around the atoll, covered with palm fronds and coconuts. While we were shopping (three carrots and, hallelujah, a head of lettuce), we were approached by a policeman who invited us to go to the town hall to pay the tourist tax, which we gladly did by paying the few Polynesian francs requested.
The buoy tree!
Taking advantage of the extended stop while waiting for the wind to calm down, we finally devoted ourselves to replacing the leather covering on the steering wheel, a task that took us, intermittently, about 9-10 hours.
Kauehi
On June 25, with a following wind, we set sails for Kauehi, a small atoll to the northwest of Makemo.
We chose this atoll because its layout provided an ideal anchorage to shelter from the expected “maramù” for several days. The “maramù” is a wind that typically blows from the southeast in July and August and can reach speeds of up to 40 knots. Atolls offer minimal protection from the wind, as the only shelter is provided by the palms, but the reef serves as an excellent barrier against the waves. Of course, it’s necessary to position oneself on the side from which the wind is blowing to avoid the waves generated inside the atoll.
We reunited with Ron, Ruby, and Alex, all solo sailors, with whom we spent the days of “maramù” in pleasant company, organizing a beach bonfire and some evening drinks on board.
Ron and Ruby lent us their bicycles, which we used to travel to the village, just 13 km of unpaved road around the atoll, covered with palm fronds and coconuts. While we were shopping (three carrots and, hallelujah, a head of lettuce), we were approached by a policeman who invited us to go to the town hall to pay the tourist tax, which we gladly did by paying the few Polynesian francs requested.
Taking advantage of the extended stop while waiting for the wind to calm down, we finally devoted ourselves to replacing the leather covering on the steering wheel, a task that took us, intermittently, about 9-10 hours.