Suwarrow
Lynn & Mike ..around the world
Mike Drinkrow & Lynn v/d Hoven
Mon 15 Jul 2013 20:18
We arrived at Sawarrow on Saturday afternoon at 4.30pm, averaging 8.8knots from Bora-Bora and chewing up a proportionate amount of fuel. We made it through the pass with no problems and were happy to be on anchor in the relative calm of the atoll. Shortly thereafter we were visited by the park rangers, Charlie and Harry who came over to check us in. Sawarrow belongs to the Cook islands and there was a LOT of paperwork! Not sure what they do with all of this paper when it finally gets shipped back to Raratonga in November?! However both he rangers are very charming and welcoming and Mike was soon talking fishing and planning an excursion to track down some tuna and wahoo.
These rangers come over for a 6 month stint - bringing along everything (?) they will need to survive. They are totally cut off from the rest of the world, except for a satellite phone and visiting yachtsmen. Each yacht tries to give them something, from fuel to rum to provisions, as thanks for their hospitality. The small island they live on is beautifully maintained with a pretty small beach and a big barbeque area for the yachtsmen to use. There are lots of yachts here (14 at the last count) and it is already proving to be very social.
Mike is still suffering badly with his back, with the pain now radiating through his hip and down to his knee. Between various stretching exercises and lots of anti-inflammatory drugs he is getting some relief, but it is not going away. We assume he has or is, pinching a nerve. Those new house batteries are working perfectly, but they certainly took their toll on Mike!