Kelcey Chandler-Yates and Jim Yates present...

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November 7, 2002 — Papeete & Moorea
Sorry about the break from writing! We arrived in Tahiti on October 22 and with all the excitement of the city life it never crossed my mind to write! The city is quite nice although I am not sure whether I think that because of the people or the multitudes of vegetables! The buildings are drab and the streets no cleaner or dirtier than most cities. The mountains in the backdrop are beautiful. Practically every shop has a window full of extravagant and expensive pearls! Thousands of black pearls. I was not impressed but I was amazed that everyone---yes everyone was wearing them, from anklets to mongo dollops around their necks.   And these were ordinary people wearing jeans and shorts! Needless to say we were pearl numbed and after our fill of veggies and New Zealand lamb we were ready for an escape. Last weekend we took 3 days and our friend Sylvia who is French, to Moorea. She brought copious amounts of food and scant amounts of  clothing! Cute body, French attitude and you get topless lady most of the weekend! Well the boys were in heaven/hell—not sure which because after awhile they became numb to the scenery. Three operations made them Barbie doll firm so for 43 she was looking fine! I just ignored the cultural situation, as did Jim—after a few long looks! Anyhow toplessness aside Sylvia is a wonderful person. Once back in Tahiti we loaded up with some more veggies, went to the dentist to fix Nick's filling and 2 days after we sit here in Moorea again enjoying the beautiful Cook's Bay. Spectacular spires and lush vegetation — a lot like Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas. Time to do the laundry!! Last time, as we haul the boat on Tuesday! After hauling we will franticly pack and clean the boat and then we will fly to Hawaii for 3 days to try out our newfound surfing skills. Did I tell you that Sylvia’s son is the Tahitian junior champion?  On top of having her on board we had Steven and Michele who currently is in second place but they swap status frequently. Anyhow they were with us for the sail to Moorea and we were greeted with 10 of their friends greeting us at anchorage. Chris has gotten some tips from him but this weekend he will take the ferry over and stay with Steven. He also has a date with “Miss Honda” a local beauty queen, at the disco Friday night! And she IS a beauty!! Stay tuned for our next update!!

November 9, 2002
Chris took off on the ferry for Tahiti last eve, hitch hiking to the ferry dock here and then once to Papeete he walked to Silvia’s work where he was to meet Steven—I am a bit nervous about it all but when I think of the independence I had at 15 this is nothing!

Last eve we met some Austrians with a bird just like ours only it is a male! We got them together and they liked each other—Nick also hung with their boy who is 10—a little young but kid contact anyhow. He enjoyed swimming with him and teaching him to do back flips off the bow of the boat. Not much else here in paradise—blue water, sunny skies and beautiful mountains—let's not forget the swaying palms. We are all callused however as we have much work to do putting the boat together for the four months we are home as well as packing. I can’t wait to see my girlfriends!

November 26, 2002
Home sweet home — Redding California for 4 months! Obviously I have been busy in the past few weeks. Packing, cleaning and giving away perishables from the boat as well as getting Loreeto the parrot all settled at Sylvia’s home.

The night we left Tahiti Chris was a guest at the Miss Surf contest and was invited back stage. The pictures are really great!!

And he says that the butts were too! A bit shy about the whole thing but I think it was a great way to leave Tahiti — at least we know he will want to go back!!

On the way back we spend a few days hanging out at the Triple Crown Surfing Championships at Haleiwa Beach on the North shore of Oahu.  The waves were Huge!