27:08.689 S  109:26.125 W

4/6/08 13:00

Well the barometer may be rising but the rain has returned. We are seriously looking forward to a few days at rest.  The only worry is if we have to refuel by ferrying jerry cans to the boat.  2000 litres is a lot of jerry cans.

15:00

The rain was just a passing squall.  The sun is back and there are still a few squalls about.

Steve has resewn the halyard tape at the top of the staysail, its not a strong repair but if we leave a couple of turns on the furler we can probaly use the sail until we can get is repaired properly.

5/6/08  03:30

Another clear night. We’ve been sailing since 10:15 last night.  Less than 30 miles to go. Easter Island is about the size of Spetses with a local population of 3500. We’re sailing over the top of the island and will be in its lee for the last few miles.

08:00

We approach the island at dawn and slow down to arrive after full light.  About 15 miles out we are contacted by the Capitania asking for our position and our ETA.. We certainly are expected.

We anchor at Hanga Roa and wait for the authorities to come to the boat.  There is huge surf and the thought of the dinghy trip ashore looks very challenging from here. This leg was a total of 2322 miles from Valdivia, 1045 of which were under  engine.

It took just under 13 days.

Local time is confusing.  It should be GMT – 7 according to time zone maps, GMT-8 according to pilot books, and GMT -6 according to the Capitana. Unless we’re having a language problem.

12:00

 The authorites came to visit an hour after they said they would and were charming...all 5 of them.We’re tied to a substantial mooring buoy so we  don’t have to worry about dragging.  It doesn’t look like we can get into the little port to take on fuel but we’re  going ashore to explore the possibilities.  More later.