We have arrived!! Autona Hiva Oa

Nickanddenisesailing
Sat 20 May 2017 23:52
09.80.43 S 139.03.30 W

Oh how wonderful it is to sleep!!! Although only for a couple of hours it has been a treat!

It was amazing approaching the islands last night, slightly unverving seeing this big black solid shape on the horizon and then lights, but the strangest thing about it all was the smell. It smelt so earthy and like rich soil. It was really overwhelming on the senses. I am sure that smell is still there now but we have become acustomed to it already.

So we arrived late last night and decided to anchor outside the breakwater - as suggested by friends. It was quite easy but very rolly with the swell coming into the bay. Some friends of ours had had a nightmare the night before where their stern anchor had snapped and they got washed into the breakwater and had to cut their primary anchor. The stern anchor line then got caught in the prop and they had to dive at about 3am to un tangle the mess. As they had had s uch a tense night the night beofre they were up and ready to see us in early this morning. Unfortunatley neither of us slept very well as it was super rolly and we were unacustomed to all the strange new noises etc.

This morning we woke about 7am and moved into the area behind the breakwater. We are now in a slightly more sheltered spot (see attached photo). We have lots of stuff out drying after our wet days at sea. It is a beautiful place. Black towering cliffs and lush green jungle like growth all over the island. We will go ashore soon and see if we can check in, get some groceries and maybe even a beer and some wifi. Apparently the check in wont be open till monday so we think we will head around the corner tomorrow to a quiet bay and then come back when we can.

So we are here and we are relaxing. Our friends on other boats are amazing. The group that we were in email contact with all the way across waited for us here to give us a welcome today, they arr ived in dingies with fresh baked rolls and lots of words of congratulations and encouragemnet. They have moved around the corner now to a nicer anchorage where we will join them tomorrow - for the party - apparently!

So all is well - Nick is napping and I am enjoying the sights and sounds of the island. Feeling extremely lucky and happy to be here and cant wait for all that is to come. What an adventure.



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