Happy Birthday, Capt. John!

Our new baby...a new outboard motor for the dinghy!

July 11 Happy Birthday, Capt. John:-)
You know how plans change sometimes? We started out today with plans to go to the marine store for a few parts, (yes, I know it's John's birthday, but he prefers we don't make a fuss) anyway, on the way into shore our outboard motor propeller just dropped off! Right there in the middle the anchorage...KAPUT! Gone! In 65 ft of water! There  is no way to dive for it... and anyway, the prop had been fix bolted earlier, a sort of repair when the bushings failed...so, we knew the prop was on borrowed time...well, today was day it decided to go! We had no choice but to paddle in and off we went to the marine store to purchase a new outboard engine! This is a necessity.  A cruiser needs reliable transportation to and from his boat. There's no question about  it.
We decide to "bite the bullet" and buy a new outboard motor, a 2 stroke, 15hp Suzuki. The size we've  always wanted. You can't get these sized motors in the states anymore because they're not environmentally friendly. They smoke and leave too much oil in water.  But oh, these motors are lightweight and fast! We are kind of glad that we get to buy this new one.  It's  just too bad we have to buy it in Tahiti...nothing comes cheap here! $$$$
Our plans for the day change. We arrive at the marine store and immediately arrange to purchase a new outboard motor... Happy Birthday present for Capt. John!

We learn we can save money by using cash instead of a credit card...so, we say we'll go get cash from the bank and...  this  is where the day gets long...we meet a fellow cruiser at the store, David who has a rented car and offers to drive us back and forth along with his errands...electrical store, hardware store, bank and sail repair shop. then we have to go to customs to have our purchase "stamped" for export!  Back to the store who reimburses the 16% duty from the purchase...all this in one day. It's exhausting.  Luckily, all these places are close together in the industrial section of the harbor. And it helps if everyone speaks some English.
This is  where I'm enjoying the mix of cultures in Tahiti. There are three distinct cultures mixed together: French, Tahitian and Chinese, along with some English. You can really see this variety of peoples mixed at the super market  when everyone is busy shopping for groceries. I find this interesting.

Anyway , we get all this accomplished, say goodbye to fellow cruiser/driver, David (sidebar: David is a young 26 yr old Capt of a 52ft sloop who sailed with crew of five across Atlantic through Caribbean to Panama to Galapagos where we met him in the Marquesas) and try to catch a bus back to our boat. There is public transportation going the  10 miles back to Arue where our boat is anchored near the Tahiti Yacht Club, but we are impatient Americans and cant wait for the bus! We try hitch-hiking...( I cant believe I'm sixty years old and hitch-hiking!) We've had luck on previous days and most rides have been offered by young Tahitians who want to practice their English. This time after walking  only a few minutes, a BUS stopped and gave us a ride! The driver went off of his route to give us a ride close to our destination and at no cost! Now, that's what I call a friendly Tahitian!

Back at the boat, exhausted from the day's journey, we marvel at the process of a traveling in a foreign land. Simple errands become major all day events and you just have to flow. It is what is .. and so it goes.... and Happy Birthday, John!