Tragic ending, Bastille Day

Bastille Day as we know it, formally called La Fete Nationale in France and these French islands is quite a big deal here.   Festivities go on for a few days.  

It really is a must to make sure you are in French Polynesia for this celebration if you are planning to sail the South Pacific.  Traditional dancing, colorful dress, delicious food and drums late into the night.

 Unfortunately the fatal accident with these horse riders really put a damper on one of the days.

gung ho...

heading into the oncoming crowd...

the oncoming crowd, all at full gallop ...

head on, both horses died, one on impact, the other a little later. One rider to hospital, head injuries…  I felt sick with sadness

Later that night...

think of the Haka, a traditional ancestral war cry, and you get a feel for what this is all about

We sail on to the Tuamotu's next.  The largest chain of atolls in the world, spanning an area in the Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe.  Tuamotus(we will spend about 2 to 3 weeks there) are 500 miles from here so will take a couple of days to get there, from there 180 miles to Tahiti.  I assume we will be in contact only in Tahiti again, till then...