10:27.9S 138:40.1W

 

3 April 2015. 2100 UTC

 

For our final approach, we had to motor sail for 24 hours in order to maintain speed and ensure a landfall in daylight.  We were counting down the hours, one by one, as the distance to waypoint clicked slowly down towards zero.  In the early morning Good Friday, we sighted land – and what a sight it was.

 

   

 

As we approached the island, we could see the jagged ridge with impossible, knife edge peaks, and deep ravines running down to sheer cliffs.

 

 

Then we rounded the southern end of the island and turned towards the bay of Hanavave.  Our excitement mounted as we passed more fantastical scenery until the bay hove into sight and soon we had our anchor down. We looked at each other and thought “We made it!  We’ve arrived in the Marquesas.”

 

     

 

And what a place in which to arrive.  Jaw dropping in its majesty.  Exotic and alien in appearance.  Polynesia!

 

MB