One Last Dive, Goodbye Bora Bora
It’s our last couple of days in Bora Bora and while it didn’t turn out like we planned (what does these days?) we squeeze in one last dive to say a proper goodbye to all our new friends. Then it’s anchor up, sails up and on to the next island paradise.
Can you believe all those spotted eagle rays came over just for our farewell dive?!? Chances are, if you hang out around the same area, they’ll come say hello to you too. We didn’t spot them every time, but often enough to lure us over regardless of where Curiosity was anchored.
Add in a few sting rays, reef sharks, damsel fish along with an octopus sighting and you can see why it became our favorite spot in Bora Bora.
But, no day in the sea is complete without picking up some plastic. It’s our daily reminder to be mindful of everything we use and especially of everything we throw away.
We signed up as ambassadors for 5Gyres this year to step up our game on helping to save our oceans. You can be an ambassador too! It doesn’t cost a penny. So, if you don’t have money to donate but want to help, they have loads of free resources and information they need help spreading the word about. If you are looking for ideas on how to go #PlasticFree or you’re searching for better alternatives for the plastics in your life, check out this guide from 5Gyres: 5gyres.org/publications
What’s Up With That Chain?
Yes, this is just the beginning of the great anchor chain scandal and this won’t be the last you hear of it. Chaingate is just getting started. We’re 99% sure we were sold fake G4 chain (and a very good fake at that). We’re still digging to get to the bottom of it but we’ll report back with more once we have some solid information to share.
See The Chain Replacement Story Here: gonewiththewynns.com/replacing-anchor-chain
One failing anchor chain and a busted water pump aside, we’re still afloat. We’re sailing the paradise that is the South Pacific and life is good. So, onward to Tahaa we go!
🙏 THANK YOU!
Sharing our lives and what we learn along the way is possible because of viewers like you. If you like what you see, there are lots of FREE ways you can show your support. Thank you for being a part of the journey.
RESOURCES & GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
🎥 OUR CAMERA GEAR 📷
- Sony rx10: https://amzn.to/2QAHxwx
- Sony rx100: gonewiththewynns.com/product/productsony-dsc-rx100m-iii-cyber-shot-digital-still-camera
- Sony rx0: https://amzn.to/2HeAh3B
- Drone: https://amzn.to/2VQ2pzi
🌊SNORKLE / FREEDIVE GEAR
Nikki
- Freedive Mask With Camera Mount http://amzn.to/2d5C6SB
- Freedive Snorkel: http://amzn.to/2cjh3dV
- Freediving Fins: http://amzn.to/2kIYmlf
Jason
- Atomic Mask: http://amzn.to/2uuqsZf
- Freediving Snorkel: http://amzn.to/2uxCjEb
- Freediving Fins: http://amzn.to/2kIhljK
🎶AWESOME tunes:
- Source: http://bit.ly/artlist-gwtw
- Artists: Giants and Pilgrims (Intro Music)
- Main Artist: Joakim Karud
soundcloud.com/joakimkarud
SAILING REPORT
To see our full map with interactive pins, click here: gonewiththewynns.com/map
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- Anchorage: Bloody Mary’s
- Date: December 2018
Jim Rehage
Watching the Wynn sailing videos are my new favorite way to chill. Wonderful photography with soothing music in faraway places. Informative, too. Thanks for including us in your adventures.
Todd
The diving videos are amazing, never even heard of eagle rays until your video. Night dive with the sharks was thrilling. Keep up the awesome work!
Michel Bedos
Love your videos; however, there is no like button to be found at the bottom of your videos any anywhere for that matter.
Curious Minion
There is a “thumbs up” button if you’re watching on YouTube.
Curious Minion
Ron Grisoli
Curious Minion, I typically watch the videos directly from the GWTW website. Is there a preferred way to watch that is somehow more beneficial to Nikki and Jason, or does it matter? I’d like to be helpful wherever possible. Thanks!
Curious Minion
Hey Ron! The video (regardless of where you watch it) is actually “on” YouTube and so they still get credit when you view the video. [Here on the blog, Nikki embeds a link to the video on YouTube in case you’re wondering how it works.] So thanks! You’re doing your part, and we’re happy to have you as part of our sailing crew. Stay tuned – lots of fun stuff coming up!
Curious Minion
Bob
Great videos, would be nice if you gave them sequence numbers as YouTube does not always play them in order.
Michael
As always, great video.
Two comments. Always have spare parts. After breathing, water is the next important thing for humans. I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of the ocean in a calm without water. But that’s just me.
Also, in the reference video it didn’t look like the chain was the issue, but rather the gypsy. The depth of the space for the chain loops is all worn and way too shallow; they obviously cannot get a good grip. It is assumed that any chain will get dirty and/or worn. The device must grip it no matter the condition of the chain. Period,
By the way, the opening to the locker appears too small or it wouldn’t get backed up on the surface in a pile.
Nikki Wynn
We have loads of spare parts but short of lugging around a second boat, we can’t always be prepared for everything. 😉 As for the water crisis, we will get it sorted. Luckily, a watermaker is a luxury and not something every sailor has. So, there are always options for getting fresh water back to the boat until then.
The chain issue is very much the chain and not our gypsy. We looked into it heavily and inspected the gypsy (which is brand new and we have our old one as a spare). While any chain will get dirty and/or worn, our chain has gone from a 10mm to a 9mm in less than a year. That is not typical of G4.
Luc Tison
Do you think that collecting water when it is raining, is an option to fill your thanks, and how ?
Curious Minion
They collect it sometimes for laundry & boat washes but the water’s not “clean” after it lands on the boat and runs across sails & such so they don’t put it into their drinking water tank. You can read more about it all here: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/boat-life-get-water
Curious Minion
Stephen Norman
Absolutely fantastic photo(s)! I looked at the first one of Nikki with the rays and thought “This should be entered in a photo contest” but then I saw the rest and realized I would go crazy trying to decide which to enter.
Luke
The scenery is spectacular! Your videos have always been good (from a videographer perspective), but the fine improvements are very noticeable. You really do great work! Keep it up! Always look forward to the new email link! Take good care!
Yvan
Wonderful video (as usual). I loved the underwater images (of course, I’m a scuba diver). You are very inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
Rolonmascara
You have been spoiled for so long with your water maker, have you forgotten about solar stills? We did 5,000 miles to Australia using one without any complaints. By the way I hope someone told you that rainwater is safe to drink.
Alan L Solomon
Thank you so much.
Another fresh video from the depths of the Wynn video vault.
Safe travels,
Deborah Kerr
That Eagle Ray procession – wow – very gentle creatures! And I saw ghost fish at 8:14 but when I stop the video there, you can’t see them – they blend in with the sand and water!! Sooooo cool!! You can only see them when they are moving! Love the slo-mo raindrops and sounds! Thank you so much for sharing life in that part of the world! Keep smiling 🙂
Judy Goodson
I hope you found water at your next stop. Good luck with your “Chaingate” endeavor. I’m sure it’s been a great source of frustration for you.
Bob S
The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans and elsewhere isn’t with plastic, it’s what people do with their garbage. It’s a people problem, not a plastic problem. Banning types of plastic products that wind up in the seas is also not a solution. It’s also impossible to live “plastic free” if you want to enjoy the benefits of the 21st century. There would be no sailboats without plastic, no cameras to film these adventures and no computers to view them on. So, yes, let’s do all we can to encourage recycling and educate people on the harm of littering and let’s levy hefty fines for improper garbage dumping.
Bill Doty
Seems like much to do aboard the boat in general upkeep, unlike the motorhome. Safe travels
Jeffrey Stenberg
One of the coolest photos I’ve ever seen Nikki and Rays ( sounds like a band name ). Recycling is very well understood here south of Seattle ( and Seattle ), been seeing commercials on TV encouraging people to recycle, but it’s strange that the county just north of Seattle they don’t recycle and some don’t even know what it is. Our city Kent wants to charts extra in future because China doesn’t take all of the worlds recycle. Harder to deal with but they won’t tell us there solution. Will check out the website you mentioned, thanks. Stay safe, have fun, “Sail On”👣📷
Michael
I’m curious: Did you look at or consider any of the Berky filtering products for your water purification gear? Seems like that might be a good backup system in cases like this.
Nikki Wynn
Berky doesn’t filter salt water so it wouldn’t be as helpful here. Great for the RV days though!
Terri Nadeau
I followed the information link about 5Gyres(the nonprofit organization who’s goal is eliminate plastic waste in our oceans), and they mention a contraption called a Manta Trawl that can be attached to a boat to capture floating plastic in the ocean. Will you folks be getting one? It sounds like a big commitment. I know by watching your videos, that you two are always grabbing floating plastic bottles while you’re out on your dingy. Great job Wynns!!
Roger B
Such a colorful rainbow. Your underwater videos are really focus sharp with vivid color. No drone video?
Jeanette Brennan
Excellent video as always! The Rays were an extra special treat to see. Thanks for picking up the dreadful plastic from the ocean floor…
Good luck and thanks for sharing your adventures with us! Stay safe! 👍🌈⛵️😍
Dennis E Cowley
Another great video. Wonderful to see all the different sea life.
This island popped up on my google feed a few weeks ago. Sounds pretty unique and worthy of a little more research. Might be something for the future. https://www.niueisland.com/overview
Jim Ege
The Eagle Rays were amazing. Bah! to plastic. Thank you for the beautiful video and commentary. I look forward to your videos every week here in Moline ,Illinois. Always good to see Jason with his JD hat. You always remind the viewer that with the beautiful comes the ugly and the reality. Breakdowns and not having H20 etc. But you seem to hang tuff!
David Herridge
Always enjoy seeing your travels. Being a Texan myself, and a full time RV’er I can appreciate a lot of what you are going through. Continue the good work. You are a inspiration to many that only dream of doing what you do.
Cynde
What size are your water tanks ? Since your water maker isn’t working do you just jug it ??
Cynde
Awesome!!! Can’t wait till your next stop!!!
Happy sailing
Question?? Have you ever had your bildge pump have bubbles?