Only for experienced climbers!

Today we set out for the summit of Mount Pahia, 727 meters of steep and muddy climbing. We headed out at about 7:00 am. Mojo and Ceol Mor (2 other cruising families) left ten minutes before us because we had a bigger engine then them. It turned out to be a race in which Dad kicked it into high gear to beat Mojo to the dock. We tied up just as it started to rain.

A couple of locals gave us some advice saying that the climb would be extremely muddy with even a little bit of rain. We didn't take their advice since this was our day to climb the mountain. Well I can tell you now that we should have took it. With a couple of turns and even using the guide book as a map we got lost and went back and found the entrance to Mount Pahia.

We were a large group made up of 3 families each with two kids with me being the oldest at 13 (turning 14 in a week:-)) and William being the youngest at the age of 8. We started the climb and once we reached the first steep part Ceol Mor turned back because of the crazy slope. This was a good decision on their part. The Perry family and the Mojos continued on through the muddy but fun to climb areas.

We began talking about how ropes would be nice for these steep areas. Well we rounded the corner and got our first rope:-), up the side of a small rock face. Half of us went up the rope....I went first. The others went around it using a small bushwack kind of trail. About a quarter of the way up we stopped for drinks because we were all thirsty. We then continued on into places where it was extremely tough and there was almost always a rope to do it. We stopped here and there and stopped off at a trickle of water falling down the mountain to splash our faces.

As we got higher we were more and more muddy and before yah knew it we saw our first amazing view of Bora Bora. The outer reef surrounding the isle was like a perfect square and the clear water showed the drop offs from shallow to deep water. I've got to say it was awesome! As we were going up we were wondering how we would get down and the risk factor of somebody getting hurt increased as we climbed higher and higher.

We finally reached a blue rope and this rope looked like it would take us to the top. We were right. I went up first to take a look and it turned out that that the blue rope ended and led on to a large grey rope that then went up the last bit to the top.

This top part was a 5 meter high rock face. I made an attempt but didn't feel comfortable. I looked down and I felt afraid. It was scary because if I let go I would break an arm or roll off a cliff. It wasn't a good feeling. Ondene, the mom on Mojo came up next. She fit the profile of an experienced climber and went up to the top. Mom then followed up to the gray bit of rope to spot me up to the top. Although she tried I never made it up to the top of the mountain because I just couldn't do it. After this I went down followed by mom.

Sven the Dad on Mojo went up to the top with Ondene and they had the kids wait below as they took in the view. My dad stayed down and we started the decent now without the Mojos. We reached a comfortable spot and had lunch soon and were soon accompanied by the Mojo's again. We enjoyed P&J baguette and homemade hummus and crackers.

Our way down was tough and we advanced to a whole new level of dirtiness. We had to slide down most of the mountain on our butts. We also had to repel down the ropes. At this point our butts were filthy, basically every inch below the waist had mud on it and our arms were barely distinguishable. Our toes were beginning to curl from all the weight that was being pushed on to them from the downward climbing. We stopped off at that trickle of water and used a leaf as a funnel and drank the water (avatar style). It was delicious water. We new it was clean because we were the only ones up there today. We finally .....after a long time made it to the bottom. If you asked me right now was it worth it I would say yes. This hike although high wasn't exhausting like the Pitons were. It was more about choosing the right foot step and Mom says I've got a knack for that. The hike was beautiful and I loved it.

By: Alex Perry

Ps....from Julie.....as I stood on the tiny ledge staring up the 5 meter high rock face and looking back as Alex descended I was faced with a decision.....would I climb to the top without the rest of my family or descend to join them. My competitive nature was beggin me to continue...the end was right there in front of me and I felt I could do it since my legs and arms were longer than Alex's....but all of a sudden it occurred to me.....it wasn't about the destination....it was about the journey and I grabbed hold of the rope and climbed back down to the Perry clan full of pride and happiness in what we had accomplished.

Mister Monkey

It is 4 am in the morning and here I lay in the dark unable to sleep. We have had two of the best days and tomorrow promises to be another. I lay here re-living and processing different moments.

We went off for our intro hike up a small hill the other day. We thought we should stretch our legs and try and iron out any kinks before we hit Mount Pahia. We drove our lil' Salty Ginger dinghy....the family car....around the corner to a bay and hoisted her up on shore and locked her to a coconut tree. We then walked the island of Bora Bora. We found a hill that had a new dirt road up the side of it and it looked perfect for a great view of the bay. When we got to the top we had a fabulous view of this amazing place we are in. Bora Bora is the most beautiful from way up. You can make out all the variations of color in the water. As we were taking in the view Amelia spotted some dangling Mangoes in a tree on the steep side of the brush covered hill. She pointed them out to Graham and then.....there was no stopping him.

It is moments like these that the kids won't soon forget. For them the view was nice but it was just another bay....but hey...Dad and them trying to figure a way to get all those mangoes way up in the tree together.....now this IS FUN. First thing they did was go off and find a huge long bamboo shoot. Once Graham had this in hand they bush whacked down the side of the hill into the dirt beneath the tree on the side of the hill. Grahams shoes came off and he climbed the tree just like a monkey. I was a bit in shock....afterwards I said to Alex, 'Can you believe how high Dad got in that tree?' and he says, "I once saw him climb a huge tree in Bennington Heights, so I knew he had it in him!" ha.

Once Graham was up the tree with Bamboo shoot in hand and Alex was positioned down below where he would try to catch the mangoes before they roll all the way down the steep embankment....Graham began to beat at the hanging bunches. As it begins to rain mangoes I can't help but feel a bit sorry for Alex down below.....try to catch but also trying not to be hit! They were both so excited though by all the gold they were getting. You might ask where I was for all of the fun......safely back at the top of the hill watching the antics and taking pictures. It is moments like these that I am so happy to have Graham for a partner...for the kids to have a Dad who will get dirty and take on a challenge....do something a little unexpected. Eventually Amelia couldn't resist the fun and the promise of yummy mangoes. She plowed off through the brush with a big bag and began to collect the bounty.

Finally as I looked up and watched Graham getting higher and higher in the tree, up to the small little branches and his feet are balanced between 'Y' joints and both hands are on the bamboo shoot to get more leverage as he knocked at the mangoes....I yelled over to him, "I think you are high enough and we have more mangoes than we can eat...time to come down."

I had to laugh as we emerged from the bush and hiked back down to the lookout and we see some beautiful honeymooners on a paid tour with their guide taking pictures. They all turn around to watch as the Perry Clan emerges from above all covered in dirt and sweat and the guide says in shock...."Where did you guys come from?" since there wasn't any other trails up there....We said that we had just went for a little walk and carried our overflowing bag of mangoes behind us. :-)

The remainder of the day we spent on what is said to be the nicest beach on Bora Bora. Another family joined us and we all enjoyed cheese, baguette and fun in the sun.

We have revised our schedule since we just can't seem to tear ourselves away from this island and now weather permitting we will be leaving on Saturday. Yesterday we climbed Mount Pahia....but I think this story deserves a blog all its own....crazy crazy day....I will get writing.

Missing you guys in Bora Bora

Julie

Somebody Pinch Me

We arrived in Bora Bora a couple days ago after a beautiful overnight downwind sail from Moorea. The island is surrounded by an underwater reef and has one opening that you enter through. We came in through the pass and headed to a gorgeous anchorage in between two smaller islands. The water is everything I have ever dreamed of. The view is like those screen savers you see back home......clear clear clear blue water leading off to the breakwaters at the reef surrounding the island. Last night we had a spectacular sunset. It was so much like a painting that cruisers were calling out on the vhf letting everyone know to get up on deck and see. The sky was red and wispy and I just couldn't believe how beautiful. My stew was cooking down below so I headed back down to check on it. When I looked back up out the window our boat had swung so I was looking directly at the show. I screamed out, "Somebody pinch me!!! Can you believe the view from our window??". Sometimes it just shocks me where we are. I took a few pictures but they just don't do it justice.

We have all been really winding down. This pace of life suits me real well :-)! We spend our days visiting with friends, swimming, enjoying the beach, snorkeling, reading (can you believe it!), cooking and playing games. There is a boat anchored right next to us named Mojo and they have 2 girls on board. Amelia is happy since she has been missing the Gromits. She has had two nights of sleep overs and is loving life. Alex seems happy to have our full attention. He took Graham and I down yesterday in a rowdy game of RISK. He told us a story of being at his Uncle Robs for a sleep over and how Uncle Rob and Uncle Jason and a bunch of friends were playing Risk and it seemed pretty serious. I had to laugh...I love these stories from home. I can just imagine Jay and Rob not talking for weeks after. Man I miss you guys.

I made chocolate gooeys yesterday. They are a family tradition. It is moments like these that seem so strange out here. Here we are in Bora Bora but we can still have our Canadian moments right here on board. Annie the kids said that they were almost as good as yours. You would of been proud! Again though it made me miss you and wish that I could share this adventure first hand with all of you. Next time we cross the South Pacific you all HAVE to visit!! Graham and I will have to figure airfare for every family member into our cruising budget!

Ok, back to Bora Bora. The island has a really cool mountain on it that is begging us to climb it. We heard that you can do it in a day so tomorrow this is our plan. We are going to get up early and get a birds eye view of this island. The other thing we want to do is bike around the entire island. I guess it is 32 k around, so it is totally doable.

This morning we changed anchorages and I know it will be hard to believe but it seems even more beautiful than the last one. It is going to be hard not to get stuck here. The original plan was to push onto the Cook Islands (Palmerston) on the 23rd but I just don't think that is going to happen :-).

ps....Everyone has been asking...."Where are the Gromits?"....They are still enjoying Papeete and having a ton of really cool adventures that we can't wait to hear about. We hope to have a joyful reunion with them here in Bora Bora before we head out to the Cooks...fingers crossed...We miss them!

Sting Rays

Artemo Admirer

Moorea

This morning we had a fellow row up to Artemo and tell us how much he was admiring her. We had a nice chat and as he was leaving he said..."Don't forget these are the good ol' days". He rowed back to his boat without even realizing how much his one sentence had affected me. There I stood yet again with tears in my eyes, realizing how right he was. Before I know it Amelia and Alex will have families of their own and Graham and I will be talking about the good ol' days. I am going to squeeze as much as I can out of these years with them.

Today will be a day we speak of for years to come. After our chat with the Artemo admirer we headed off for a hike up the mountain to a look out point where the guide book promised a view of the two bays. Of course we did the day up Perry style and spent a grand total of zero dollars. We hiked in the hot sun up the mountain. At about the half way mark we found a beautiful trail that was sheltered from the sun and ran up alongside a creek. It was beautiful. We were all pretty hot and tired but finally the trail opened up to the amazing lookout.

Once we had taken our panoramic shots we got out our apples and just soaked in the view. At this point a man and woman join us at the look out and we began to chat with them. They were interested in our adventures thus far. As we were talking I realized that the woman was ....Sarah Jessica Parker! At about this time up walks Anderson Cooper. Alex recognizes Anderson and asks him straight away...."Are you the fellow from CNN?"....He answers yes and introduces himself to all of us and shakes our hands. Meanwhile Amelia is chatting away to Sarah and asking her where she is from and what her name is and telling her that she looks familiar! Too funny. They were really nice to us and I think we played it fairly cool. We didn't take any pictures and didn't even think to ask for an autograph. We were totally star struck though. We met a couple other ladies on the hill top who were super nice. They ended up giving us a drive back down. Turns out they are from New Zealand and live near the bay we will be staying at. We exchanged emails and contact info.

Once we were back at Artemo we had our lunch and then got ready for our afternoon excursion. We had heard that there was a place just around the bay where you could snorkel with rays and black tip reef sharks. We took our dinghy out and around and off in the distance we could see a couple of boats tied to mooring balls. Amelia was saying the whole way there...."Wouldn't it be cool to see Sarah again?"....Well sure enough we drive up and there they are all in the water, including Mathew Broedrick!!! So strange that just last night we watched Ferris Buellers day off! Anyway...there we swam and stood in crystal clear water with Anderson and Mathew....petting rays and watching sharks swim around our legs.....WAY COOL!!! Sarah stayed in the dinghy but she was really nice and said hello again to all of us. Amelia was dying to invite them all over for happy hour.

Tonight the kids went for a night time swim. The water is so clear that the light from the stars and moon is enough for us to see clear to the bottom. As I was watching them yell at each other in the moon lit water I thought to myself......these ARE the good ol' days.