We are now in downtown Papeete.  We arrived last Friday, at 4pm.  The weather had been beautiful for the past 4 days, but as we were crossing the reef to enter the harbor, a squall came through and we had our second to last fire drill (get the sails down quick, close the hatches, move the cushions, watch where you're going, etc.).  The last one, of course, was trying to dock in a 20 knot crosswind.
The marina advertises wifi, but apparently only in its lounge, 8-4 weekdays.  So I have been communication challenged.  I am also picture challenged.  I have lots of good photos on my phone but have somehow messed up photo and can't download, copy, or post any of them.
So, when I get that sorted out, I will provide a more interesting blog of our trip.
We were at seas for 24 days, landing, not in Tahiti as planned, but in Hiva Oa, in the Marquesas.  Stephen had been optomistic in our schedule, and he had to get to New Zealand before we could reach Tahiti.  So the short version is that he flew to NZ and left Tom and me on Alyosha for two weeks in the Marquesas.  And as one of the most distant places on earth, it has a lot of appeal for mountain climbers, hikers, and nature lovers (survivor was filmed here).  We had a hard time as there was no good dinghy landing, and no town once we did get off the boat.  And it was very hot.  Don't get me wrong. I was very glad to have seen it.  I just don't need to go back.  Definitely no beaches, much less bars.
Stephen returned on Monday, March 20 at noon, and we were underway by 1 pm.  It was a very quick 800 nm passage.  We arrived at 4pm Friday, and Stephen was gone by 5pm!
We love it here.  It's very French, with lots of restaurants, shops, and interesting things to do.  We do have a few boat problems that hobble us.  The dinghy doesn't work, the generator doesn't work and the shore power doesn't work.  But we are at a lovely marina, with floating docks, where Tom can easily get ashore.
So, this isn't much of a blog, and I have lots to tell about our trip, but it's frustrating not being able to share any photos.  I will hopefully fix that shortly and share more of our adventures.
Hope everyone is good and welcoming spring.