08:55.174S 160:06.015W - Welcomed by Dolphins
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Wed 6 Apr 2022 02:22
After 18 days at sea, with very little wildlife, we were charmed to be
welcomed by a pod of dolphins upon arrival at the small and dramatic island
of Ua Huka, part of the Marquesas archipelago in French Polynesia. The
landscape is prehistoric. A sparsely populated volcanic island, with steep
soaring peaks, and folded motionless lava flows. A pterodactyl flying by
would not be at all surprising! We anchor for the night in a windy, bumpy
anchorage, excited at the smells and sights of this magical land.
The following morning at daybreak we set sail for Nuku Hiva, the customs and
emigration entry port to French Polynesia. 1310 is our logged arrival time
in Taiohae Bay. An emotional moment after so many days of a solitary watery
vista. The excitement was palpable, seeing other yacht masts, houses, a
town, cars, mountains, trees - people! Other Oyster yachts had arrived
before us, they welcomed us with with horn blasts, waves, and yelps.
A glass of champagne marked the occasion. We had made it across the Pacific
Ocean completing the longest passage of the entire Oyster World Rally.