Subsistence Living: We Question Western Society's Materialistic Standards!

Why do we work our whole lives to buy materialistic things? Finding this true piece of paradise makes us question why Western Society put such a big value on Materialistic Items. Spending 10 days with a Polynesian Family in Toau shows us how little you need (materialistically) to be happy and content. They live a completely self sustainable life, providing absolutely everything they need for themselves.

To get here we have a couple more pass entries and exits. We leave Fakarava Atoll and take a short sail to Toau, a far less inhabited atoll.

It is an early departure to make sure we exit the pass at Fakarava at the right time and enter the one in Toau also in good time. We need the wind and the current to be going in the same direction when going through a pass or there needs to be no current at all.
Predicting when slack is is not as simple as most other parts of the world.
An atoll is like a massive swimming pool. If the wind is blowing heavily from the east for days on end, you may not have a slack tide as the constant waves into the atoll may keep filling it up leaving you with outgoing current for longer than expected.

In every video, you will see us wearing our life jackets when doing this and yet the conditions always seem flat. This must have you wondering what we are always concerned about.
You will that when we exit the Toau pass at the end of the video there are some breaking waves on our port side. We are getting dragged out sideways towards this but with the power of the engine and the sail we manage to keep clear.
These waves can get pretty big and the current is racing in or out when this happens. They are short and steep. If you get a catamaran in this washing machine side on, you will be given a serious shake up. Worst case is you end up with someone in the water without a lifejacket. This is likely to result in drowning. Better be safe than sorry.

We make it to the anchorage in Toau and head off ashore to meet the local family and ask for permission to be on their land.
We motor along the coast shouting our hellos from the dinghy. Finally we find a good spot to drop the dinghy anchor and swim ashore.

We introduce ourselves the Louis and his wife, daughter and daughters boyfriend. An Italian single handed sailor is also here and he is helping Louis on his land.
Massimo shows us around the motu and we get to see all the animals. Bees, Chickens, Pigs, Goats and of course the motu is surrounded by fish.

We spend a few incredible days here. The boys go off fishing and spearfishing every day and Claire and I explore the motu.

Our hosts were very kind and we enjoyed having them and Massimo onboard for drinks and snacks one evening.

Before we know, it is time to head off again to Fakarava. With the Christmas Tree secured in place we head off through the pass again.

Goodbye Toau, we will be back.

If you are enjoying our videos please consider becoming a Patreon.
  / sailingmokara