Day 111 Departing Bora Bora

To Rarotonga
Departure was hindered by more heavy rain in the morning but we finally weighed anchor and got underway by about 0930. Eaio had decided to forgo Rarotonga and go directly to the island of Suvorov in the Northern Cooks. They are on their way to Perth, Australia and have 11 people aboard so there seems to be an urge to get there rather than dawdle along the way. Roy the captain and owner was a shark fisherman in Perth and he bought the boat in Papeete and did a small tour of the Tuomotus and the Marquises before returning to the Society Islands and Bora Bora. He plans to charter the boat once he gets home so he will have a chance to see the Western part of Polynesia at that time. Their plan upon leaving Bora Bora was go West by Northwest to the island of Suvorov in the Northern Cooks.
Liahona and Southern Star decided to go first to Aitutaki before going on to Rarotonga . Aitutaki is described as one of the most beautiful atolls in Polynesia but cannot be entered by a sailboat because it is too shallow. The guide book says it is worthwhile to anchor outside the atoll and explore for a day by dinghy. Also, Aitutaki is North of Rarotonga so we can reach it on the way.
Because the weather forecast called for winds from the South within 48 hours, we decided to head more South first and then turn West whereas Liahona chose to aim directly Southwest.
Yesterday, Mark and Jim (Liahona) met and agreed that Kurt would travel aboard Liahona for this passage. Wendy's parents have been aboard Liahona until now but had to return to the states for a few weeks so Jim and Wendy felt more comfortable with an extra crew member.
Also, before we left, we declared a fishing competition - once case of beer each for the largest caught and for the most caught.
For the next few days, we agreed we would contact each other at 0830 and at 1900 on the ham (SSB) radio.