January 2011 2011

Hello everyone,

The time has come again for New Year wishes... I send you mine from one of the most protected spots on the large island of Tahiti - of which I often regret the excessive development which affects the neighbourhood of the capital Papeete, but about which I always say that it is enough drive or sail a few kilometres along the west coast or the east coast, to find scenes that haven't changed much since the time of Gauguin.

This year, because one of Banana Split's propeller shafts needed a revision, which was made in the small shipyard of Taravao, in Port-Phaeton, we are presently at anchor in this vast bay, doubtlessly the safest shelter in all of Polynesia, waiting for a good weather window to get back to the Tuamotu, and savouring in the meantime the beauty and the peace of this little frequented lagoon.

Here, none of the speedboats and jet-skis that turn into maelstroms the lagoons that surround Papeete... The road vanishes just after Teahupoo, well known by surfers of the whole world, and it is on the lagoon that we reach nice quiet spots such as the small guesthouse whose name, you suspect, i do like : Le Bon Jouir (a reference, of course to Gauguin, who had built in the Marquesas Islands his " Maison du Jouir " or "Home of Enjoyment".
Farther, even the lagoon breaks off, up to the reefs that protect the Fenua Aihere, the " Beloved Country " whose inhabitants move only by boat, for example when they want to go shopping at Tautira's supermarket!

It is from this blessed place, then, that I send you my best wishes: may 2011 be a quieter year than the previous one, fewer meteorological, volcanic, political and social disturbances, more peace, enjoyment, happiness finally, on this planet, that has everything to offer happiness, under a form or another, : one just has to find the instructions for use...
Ia ora na outou paatoa (greetings to you all)
Antoine.