This post was originally published by Octavia for S/V Delos. Reposting it for all the Bella Marina fans out there!
Cheers,
Octavia
After spending three amazing weeks cruising the Society Islands in French Polynesia aboard Delos, I am at a loss for words to describe all the beautiful shades of blue of the South Pacific. I think I need at least three languages to name them! Gin water blue, pale blue, azzure, turquiose, teal, bleumarine… Pictures are probably better 🙂
Petter and I arrived in Baie Oponahu in Moorea after an 8 hour flight from LA to Papeete, Tahiti and a quick ferry ride followed by a cab tour of the Island. In front of us was the most beautiful bay, the stuff of dreams of the South Pacific and Landfalls in Paradise where Delos laid at anchor. Team Bella Marina joins Team Delos! As Brian was rushing over in his dingy to pick us up we wasted no time in getting outfitted for joining up the floatie party behind Delos (read changed into our swimming suits right there on the beach). The rest is kind of fuzzy, as the hostess with the mostess, Erin, was waiting for us with beaucoup de drinkies!
Oponahu Bay Blues:
It’s raining but it’s OK because there’s a beautiful rainbow blues:
Mishka blues (because we took over her V-Berth which she sometimes lends to Brady):
Stingray blues:
Trying to fit into Jay’s BC blues (it happened):
Kytesurfing awesomeness blues:
Tropical Rain blues:
Brady’s deep blue sea’s fishing blues (the ONE that got away…):
Soon we were off to Tahiti for a taste of the PARTY (see Brian’s Party On in Tahiti post!)
America Day blues:
While on Tahiti we rented a car and drove around the island, taking in the volcanic black sand beaches, the surf breaks and the amazing vistas on Belvedere Point at sunset:
Moorea view from Tahiti:
We arrived in Huahine after a boisterous overnight passage and dropped anchor in another gorgeous bay. We spent the days snorkeling, exploring the island and its old South Seas vibe, learning how to fly a kyte (thanks Jay!), playing beach cricket and watching the solar eclipse which reached 98% at our location.
Huahine blues:
98% Solar Eclipse blues:
Ancient Polynesian marae blues:
After a short stint in Raiatea and Tahaa, we were off to famous Bora Bora, the jewel of the Society Islands. It’s an absolutely spectacular island surrounded by the most beautiful blue lagoon. We spent our time between the main town anchorage that allowed us to attend all the Heiva activities that kept the locals busy and a gorgeous isolated anchorage that came with its own private motu (a small sandy island fringed with palm trees).
Surf blues:
Sailing to Bora Bora blues:
Inspired by the island’s jagged silhouette, Erin and I decided to have a supermodel shoot, complete with 80’s hair.
Vahine’s Secret blues…
Brady couldn’t help it…
Classic Bora Bora blues:
Anchorage blues:
Our own private Motu blues:
Bierre blues:
Bromance blues:
Into the blue(s):
Hinano blues:
Sunset over a South Pacific Island blues:
And finally, Blue Steel from Alf: