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Sailing to the Vanilla Isle - Taha'a, French Polynesia | Episode 195

March 15, 2023 · 32 min · 34K views · French Polynesia

What this video covers

After spending a week anchored in Huahine, French Polynesia, during a period of persistent rain and stormy weather, the crew of a cruising sailboat departs for Taha'a.5:46 The 28-mile passage across the South Pacific takes approximately seven hours, with winds ranging from 15 to 20 knots.6:11 Upon arrival at Taha'a, the crew navigates a narrow pass into the lagoon under sail, choosing to minimize motor use.12:28 The vessel anchors in the shallows, though the crew experiences an uncomfortable night due to a lack of protection from a passing weather system that generates three-foot waves at the anchorage.22:47 Once the weather clears, the crew goes ashore to explore the island, known as the "Vanilla Isle."25:52 They visit a family-operated vanilla farm, where they receive a demonstration on the manual pollination process required for vanilla orchids and the nine-month maturation cycle of the pods.26:18 The visit concludes with the crew returning to the boat after finding local businesses closed for the off-season.30:34

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