Today, Saturday, March 24, 2012 we will begin our long passage to the French Polynesian island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands. Its a bit over 3000 miles across the "puddle" as the Pacific is lovingly called. A mighty big puddle!
We really loved the Galapagos and our first stop in the Southern Hemisphere was definitely worth making. It was costly with the clearance fees here – and we did it as cheaply as you could (at least to stay more than four days). But we are glad we did it. It is a unique and very special place. We are particularly happy we made the decision to come to Isabela – rather than the other more traveled ports.
Now, we are getting the boat topsides and below the deck ready for an ocean passage. It should take us at least 30 days. The winds right now are pretty light to non-existent, but our twenty days were up so we have to go. It is a clear, quite pretty day so it is a good way to start.
We will have a little company out there. Also leaving today will be six very traditional Polynesian catamarans. They are from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Solomans and French Polynesia and are trying to prove that these boats can go east and west so their forefathers were plying these waters well before the famous "explorers." They have no fossil fuels on board and navigate by the stars only. They will most likely be much faster than us, but it should be quite a sight out there when they are fully rigged and flying sails and we look forward to being In their company.
We have a few a radio nets set up with other boats who have already left or will be leaving shortly after us. So we will have folks to chat with and check in with so that will be good.
We will try to post a daily position report(check the "Where are we" page) if all our systems continue to work as planned (SSB radio and computer). No internet or phone. Hopefully good winds, flat seas and no storms.
We are excited, nervous and thrilled for this next big adventure.
So sign up today and make your pledge to the Astarte Pacific crossing pledge drive - a buck a mile?
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