Days 26 & 27: Land Ho!

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Day 26: Just around the bend!

We are now so close that we can taste it! It is literally just around the bend... the bend of the earth that is!

We are still hoping to make landfall tomorrow afternoon on Hiva Oa. We have been goofing around all day (actually, since midday yesterday) with calculations of what we'd have to average to make it into port during daylight tomorrow. We were doing super throughout this morning. Then, the wind died down and moved behind us, making it a slower point of sail. We put our asymmetrical spinnaker up and have been trying to eek out a solid enough run to get us into port.

This evening,

The "Captain's Platter"

we had a celebration of what we hope to be our last night before being anchored happily at Hiva Oa. We called it the "Captain's Platter." Ang made a fun feast of Captain Eric's favorite goodies (featuring pad Thai & ice-cold chai tea) to celebrate a successful trip so far. A better captain has never been! We the crew (just Ang) all agree! It was less of a celebration of the end of a sail and more of a celebration of a voyage still underway - with many years to come! :)

Sunset through the rigging

Sunset and moonrise were extra beautiful this evening. The moon is perfectly round and lights our way at night almost as well as the sun does during the day. The ocean is a perfect canvas for such a lovely portrait. We both agree that the moon/sun rises & sets at sea have been so magnificent that, if captured in a painting, they would not be purchased - the prospective buyer passing it by as too fake due to its perfection.

Full moon rising

Eric has his fishing lures in the water again! The tuna we caught early on has kept them dry for a few weeks. But since we're nearing port (& reef fish that are potentially dangerous to eat due to toxins that cause ciguatera), he's decided to give it another go. Our freezer is now empty and Eric is working hard to keep it and his stomach full!

We are each excited to be the first to see land! We have a bet going over who will be first to spot it. Due to the height of the island, we figure that we might be able to spot it almost 60 miles away. The bet we made works out to be a win-win situation. If Eric wins, Ang has to take him out to dinner sometime. If she spots land first, Eric has to take her out. Not a bad deal either way! Of course, we don't know where/when this will even be possible to accomplish. There won't likely be a cafe or restaurant ashore for a while... but when we find one, someone will have to pay up. And besides, it's really only about bragging rights!!! It's all about the "Land ho!" :)

15 April @ 16:00 GMT
08^o08' S  137^o13' W
wind ESE 8 kts / seas 2 ft
138 nm today (5.8 kt avg.)
2842 nm total - 95% of the way there!

Day 27: Land Ho!

16 April 2003, Wednesday

This morning, just before sunrise, Angela spotted a small dark spot

Coastline on Hiva Oa

on the horizon in the moonlight. Due to her superior vision, she was the first to yell "Land Ho!" -- okay, yes, it's me (Ang) writing! But I MUST obviously have the better eyesight!!! :)

Once the sun rose, islands in all directions presented themselves, just where we would expect them to be! As we moved closer, it was great to see the texture and features appear! The islands rose mightily out of the sea with jagged cliffs and lush jungle forests. It was a spectacular sight to see!

As we rounded the island of Hiva Oa, the majesty of it all continued

Entrance to Taahuku Bay and the village of Atuona on Hiva Oa

to amaze us. We entered the anchorage with huge smiles on our faces! We were finally anchored at 2345 GMT (2:15 pm local time) and snug in the middle of Taahuku Bay. The cliffs on one side of the anchorage rise straight up to above 3000 feet. Everywhere we look is covered with vibrant green foliage. The sensory overload of the new colors and smells (after just over 27 days with only blue and Eric, respectively) is dramatic.

We have not yet been ashore. We are looking forward to exploring tomorrow getting more than 3 hours of sleep in a row - not necessarily in that order!! We're happy to be here and are left with great memories of the successful and safe journey behind us.

Anchored in Taahuku Bay, Atuona, Hiva Oa - Īles Marquises, French Polynesia
Total... 27 days 7 hours 45 minutes sailing!

16 April @ 23:45 GMT
09^o48.2' S  139^o01.9' W
wind: who cares / seas: calm in here
2998 nm total - ALL of the way there!

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