We arrived at 0230 on Wednesday morning. The islands, even in the moonlight are spectacular, towering into the sky with their sheer cliffs that continue down to more than 3000 feet below sea level.

As we turned to come into the bay we could smell the greenery of this lush paradise, after 17 days at sea the smells from land are almost overpowering. The anchorage had a few boats in it already so we picked our way in and dropped a hook to await dawn, when we could put out a stern anchor and pull ourselves in next to the other boats. Meanwhile the gin flowed and much laughter ensued, we’d done it-the longest trip on our circumnavigation, and in some style too. We averaged 180 miles a day, had very few breakages and also beat quite a few boats much bigger than us. However, style was slightly compromised by the time we put a stern anchor down, with both Ollie and Pietro succumbing to ‘dribble-napping’ in the cockpit or down below. Always nice to win one over youth!

 

The island is so lush and the locals are just the nicest, most smiley people I’ve ever come across. They make a point of remembering your name and just fill your day with joy. I can quite see why people have fallen in love with this place and quit the rat race. We’ve gorged ourselves on the best fruit one could imagine – something all of us were missing since our pitiful supplies from the Galapagos ran out over a week ago.

 

Ollie and Pietro have left us now for a month, Ollie going on with Hebe and then flying to Tahiti. Pietro has flown directly to Tahiti for a bit of stationary life, writing being his passion he is hoping to spend some time doing exactly that while sat on the beach somewhere. Both intend to re-join us for the Pearl Regatta at the end of April.