We avoid a Monsoon and Land Ho!
After 3 weeks at sea, where most days you only saw water and some flying fish, last night and this morning were literally like Union Station at rush hour (OK, a little exaggerated).
First, on the AIS last evening after supper we saw that there was a sailing vessel that was going to pass behind us. A little investigation and we determined the Nirvana Formentera was a 55meter Super Yacht, currently for sail at $35 million USD. Bill considered calling them on the VHF and offering a straight swap but we talked him down, as we wanted to arrive on Turtlebones!
When Bill rousted me for my 4am shift we were on course and speed for our morning arrival, one blow at 25kts with rain. During the hand over we checked the instruments and found that a Monsoon could potentially hit us in the next couple hours!
Remember Monsoon, the older sailboat with the nice couple with the two crew 2 and 4 years of age? They had left Puerta Vallarta a week before us and will arrive a few hours behind us! It will be interesting to compare notes!
We can actually see 4 or more islands around us, but Hiva Oa stands out. The 4000 foot caldera of the volcano was visible just below the cloud layer.
So Bill and Sharon are completing the online form for entry of a pleasure craft to French Polynesia. The Starlink is great!
As importantly, Bill was putting some beer in the fridge to cool – once the hook is dropped we are no longer a “dry ship”. Today’s efforts will be around anchoring, checking in with the Port Captain and the immigration office and diner at one of the 4 local restaurants! This assumes of course any of us remember how and are capable of walking 50 feet without falling over!
Congratulations to all three of you. Thank you very much for sharing your journey with these blog posts which have been a compulsory part of me starting my day. Enjoy the time you now have to relax and explore.
Yay! You must video the sealegs on land and share…
Tourism site says this (I’m sure you are fully prepared): Be prepared for lots of mosquitos by bringing plenty of insect repellent and wearing long, loose pants and sleeves. Also, be wary of the nono, a type of fly that does not respond to DEET. Try using local monoi oil to deter the insects.
Ahoy and congratulations!
YIPPEE I’m so excited for all of you!!!
I will miss the blogging, so keep it up even on dry land!
Have a great diner!
That is so exciting that you are close to land once again! Enjoy the beers and finding your land legs!
Hope you avoid the monsoon : )
So exciting for you.
Congratulations! That is a big step on your (oh so) interesting journey.
So happy you have arrived safely and after an interesting journey that took about three weeks!
Now time for celebrations!!
Wish I could be there for the horse back riding!
Wonderful – thank you for taking us along on this amazing voyage. Time to celebrate, drop that anchor, open a beer and find a great little restaurant.
We will have a toast to you all too.
With love and all good things, k
Glad you made the first leg safely! Enjoy following your story.
Very different from our here in Alberta – woke up to a covering of white stuff yesterday….
Enjoy your land time!