Rangiroa, Tuamotus — Kia Ora Hotel

October 26, 2000 1200 Local Time 14º53'00" S 147º36'00" at anchor.

Our passage to Rangiroa from Papeete, Tahiti was a pleasant sail at 5 knots with the wind on our beam.. About 8 miles off Tikehau atoll, we found ourselves dead into the wind and had to tack the rest of the way to Rangiroa. It took us from 0830h to 1730h to reach Avatoru pass on Rangiroa. We were racing the tide at 1600h for a safe pass entry and the sunset at 1800h to reach the anchorage before nightfall and we made it! Rangiroa is the most exotic, tropical, peaceful lagoon we saw on our entire trip. The Kia Ora Hotel was a stunning respite from the close quarters of the boat. We found a fantastic anchorage in 40' of lapiz lazuli water.