#24 Tahiti

We arrived in Tahiti on the 17th June, 2010, after an easy trip from Fakarava (except for the pass out of the lagoon which was "boiling" like a washing machine!).

Our first view of Tahiti was from 65m out and an amazing sunset over the island. Upon arrival we motored to the anchorage at Maeva Beach. The autopilot was still giving us problems so after a couple of days we went to to town quay in the center of Papeete. We attempted to get the local dealer to fix the problem but thay seemed to have less idea than us!

We have thouroughly enjoyed Tahiti and will leave Wednesday for Moorea.

#23 Tuomotus

We arrived in the Kauehi lagoon 7th June, 2010 after 4 days of squally weather. We spent a few days in this large lagoon before setting off for the 30m run to Fakarava lagoon. This was a great place with a small village and a few shops (that had beer & baguettes). The snorkelling was great and there were many sharks.

We left Farkarava for Tahiti on 15th June.

#22 Arrive Fatu Hiva, Marquesas

On 18th May, 2010 we arrived at the dramatically beautiful anchorage of Hanavave, Fatu Hiva after almost 19 days from Isabela. We had a much faster passage than we xpected with several days of winds over 25 knots. Our best day mileage was 180nm. The trip was almost 3000nm. Our average days run was 156nm.

It was great to arrive at such a beautiful island. Unfortunately we cannot add pictures at this time as our main PC has a broken motherboard. We enjoyed about a week in Fatu Hiva before heading north to Hiva Oa to clear in. We had 3 electronic problems all within a week. Our DVD player failed, followed by our PC and then our autopilot course computer. The autopilot was a major concern but we had a new spare just in case. We fitted this only to find that it would intermittently run off course.

After another week we moved to Tahuata island and enjoyed a few nice days in the bay befroe setting off for the 500nm passage to the Tuomotus.

#21h Departure Isabela

We have cleared out of Isabela and will be starting the ¨puddlejump¨ to the Marquesas probably Thursday. We´ll do our best to update ¨our position¨ daily once we are underway. The passage will take about 25 days!

#21g Port Villimil, Isabela

We arrived at Puerto Villimil in the Galapagos late Friday afternoon after an easy sail from Santa Cruz. Our friends on Innforapenny & Aurora B were in the anchorage. There are also lots of sea lions and penguins. Innforapenny had arranged a trip to the volcano Sierra Negra for the following morning. The trip included a 12m (20km) hike along the cauldon´s ridge and a horse ride.

Next morning we left the boat at 0715 and made our way to the town. The streets are made out of sand. The population is about 2000. We met the tour operator who took us to a hotel where we were directed to make our own sandwiches for lunch. Then it was to the small bus with some other people joining us for the tour. The bus trip took about 45mins and the changes in scenery as we made our way were amazing. There were arid lava fields, then a transition zone of holly trees which were a mile or two later all covered with thick vines. Then we came to the humid zone with trees and tropical rain forest style. We arrived at the park base and set off upwards towards the ridge of the cauldron. It was quite steep and when we arrived on the ridge the cauldron was covered in cloud. Within 10 minutes of our arrival the cloud drifted away. We continued our hike along the ridge.

About 1030 we were due to meet horses and ride the next 3 miles. The horses hadn´t arrived so we hiked the next 3 miles and then down the northern ridge to see the lava flows and boccas from the last eruptions of 5 and 35 years ago. Then it was time for lunch. It would have been good to have a hellicopter arrive at this point to take us back!

After lunch there was a 20 minute climb to get back to the ridge. The horses had arrived so we mounted up and enjoyed the 3 mile ride. Then it was time to dismount and walk back around the ridge and then on down to the car park. By this time our legs were like lead weights as cloud rolled in. We enjoyed the bus trip back to Villimil and a few well earned beers. We´d had a great day.

#21f - Leaving Santa Cruz

Tomorrow (Friday) morning we'll be leaving Academy Bay for Puerto Villamil, Isla Islabela. We don't want to roll out of bed anymore in the Academy Bay anchorage! Internet access in Isla Isabela will be more difficult but we'll try to do another update before we start the 3000nm (5300km) passage to Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas.

#21e Academy Bay, Santa Cruz, Galapagos

We arrived at the rollie anchorage of Academy Bay, Santa Cruz on Wednesday 21st April. The 43nm passage from San Cristobal took us 7hrs. Forecast wind was SE10 -12 knots but found 20kn until we passed the island of Santa Fe, then the wind dropped to 10kn.

After a night onboard our "bucking bronco," (yes, the anchorage is much more uncomfortable than it looks in the photos), we walked to the Darwin Center to see giant tortoises and land iguanas.