We have visited five of the islands – the photos in the Picture albums tell the story.
The weather is the same most days though we have had a bit of rain – good to wash the salt off the boat. The sea temperature is about 33 degrees – very warm – we don’t swim that much as there are munchies around. We swam off a beach a few days ago which was very pleasant and in a very cold swimming hole just behind the beach on one of the islands. Robert and I scrambled our way up to a waterfall with a pool at the base of it for a look and a swim.
Monday, May 26, 2008
CROSSING FROM SAN DIEGO TO THE MARQUESAS (FRENCH POLYNESIA)
The crossing is 2,800 nm as the crow flies but in reality about 3,000 nm as one cannot always sail in a straight line. We made the crossing in 23 days which is quite good time. We made our first landing at Bay of Virgins at Fatu Hiva in the Marquesa Islands. Described as the most beautiful bay in the world.
What do you see and do you might ask. Well, we see the same thing everyday – water in its different moods as well as skies. Each day passes in a different way – some days we seem to do many sail combinations – the skipper sees us having too good a time reading sleeping etc and thinks he needs to liven the show . This usually only happens on days when there is light airs and we are trying to keep the boat moving.
We had a really good run down to close the Equator with 10 – 15 knots of breeze behind us – we didn’t put the engine on for a week – just ran the Gen set for the batteries. At about 08 degrees North we ran out of consistent wind and entered the ITCZ (doldrums). We had light airs, rain and lots of squalls. At around 03 degrees N we were through and the wind from the SE stayed in and the trades developed.
We broke the boom end fitting at the goose neck and jury rigged the boom so we could put a partial main out. In 15 – 20 kts of breeze we are doing 7 – 8 knts reaching with a boat weighing 25 tonne fully loaded with food and fuel – not too bad with a partial rig up.
We have seen dolphins twice and small pilot whale once – no fish caught to date – did catch a small dolphin fish but put him back – lots of bites. Some bird life and lots of flying fish especially in the mornings after a fast ride in the night.
We have had a birthday, a wedding anniversary and a few arguments but everyone is still smiling – Robert must wonder will this trip will ever end. It is a case of endurance and patience which is bit hard at times when the boat is chucking itself around the ocean – especially for the cook – Me Julie.
What do you see and do you might ask. Well, we see the same thing everyday – water in its different moods as well as skies. Each day passes in a different way – some days we seem to do many sail combinations – the skipper sees us having too good a time reading sleeping etc and thinks he needs to liven the show . This usually only happens on days when there is light airs and we are trying to keep the boat moving.
We had a really good run down to close the Equator with 10 – 15 knots of breeze behind us – we didn’t put the engine on for a week – just ran the Gen set for the batteries. At about 08 degrees North we ran out of consistent wind and entered the ITCZ (doldrums). We had light airs, rain and lots of squalls. At around 03 degrees N we were through and the wind from the SE stayed in and the trades developed.
We broke the boom end fitting at the goose neck and jury rigged the boom so we could put a partial main out. In 15 – 20 kts of breeze we are doing 7 – 8 knts reaching with a boat weighing 25 tonne fully loaded with food and fuel – not too bad with a partial rig up.
We have seen dolphins twice and small pilot whale once – no fish caught to date – did catch a small dolphin fish but put him back – lots of bites. Some bird life and lots of flying fish especially in the mornings after a fast ride in the night.
We have had a birthday, a wedding anniversary and a few arguments but everyone is still smiling – Robert must wonder will this trip will ever end. It is a case of endurance and patience which is bit hard at times when the boat is chucking itself around the ocean – especially for the cook – Me Julie.
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