Arrival in Palmerston Atoll
Nickanddenisesailing
Mon 11 Sep 2017 02:27
We have arrived!
It was a pretty slow last 24 hours with only about 6-8knts max wind so we had to motor the whole way. We got here about midday local time and have just been catching up on sleep since then.
What a strange but beautiful place. We are anchored off the atoll on the outer reef side as there is no pass into this reef. It was amazing to go from 1000's of meters on the depth gauge to 85 within a couple of meters. We are on a mooring at where the coral reef drops off into the abyss. Its amazing to have sailed for a week to arrived at this tiny speck in the middle of the Pacific. They are so isolated here. On the other side of the reef is a stunning white sandy beached island covered in palm trees and a few dwellings that we can make out.
We have met one of the locals and planned to meet up with our 'hosts' tomorrow morning. We are very much in their hands. We had a quick swim off the boat when we arrived and straight away swam over a massive Napoleon 'hump head' wrasse. They are very large (approx 1m long, 75cm wide), brightly greeny coloured, slow friendly fish that are very rare in the rest of the world. A good start!
So because we are on the outside of the reef we are not particularly well protected and are rolling around a bit - not my favorite as I normally stop feeling sea sick when we stop but here might be a bit different. But we are exited about some land and sea adventures tomorrow and Nick has already spotted some fish he wants to shoot.
Plan is to only stay a few days - but very weather dependant. We will really need some wind to get us to Niue as we don't have all that much fuel left. Later in the week is looking good. We will keep you posted.
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