Day 220, Year 1: On Our Way to Ua Pou
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2006
Weather: Bright and Sunny Day, Evening Showers
Location: Overnight Passage from Hiva Oa to Ua Pou
We are currently motoring in the pass between Hiva Oa and Tahuata. This is our second trip through this pass called the Canal Du Bordelais. We traveled through to the east when we went to Hiva Oa on Sunday and we are now traveling back through to the west as we head to the island of Ua Pou. Both times we have had a current against us, but only a knot or so. The wind is dead behind us and only about 8 to 10 knots, so we are motoring for now. We hope to be able to sail once we get through the pass, but it might not be in the cards for tonight. Whatever, we should arrive in Hakahou Bay on Ua Pou by early morning. And I don’t know about you, but all of these vowels are getting to me!
After the walk to the top of the mountain last night, my back has been fine. I continue to be careful and rest often during the day, but I do think I made it through this one without a major problem. This is good.
Mark did our income tax reporting today. We didn’t get the forms until we were in the Galapagos and we were just having too much fun to stop and do taxes, so we asked for an extension. It is good, however, to get this out of the way.
We are still not checked into French Polynesia. The bond they require is $1,200 US dollars per person. Because of daily limits on cash withdrawals, we have not been able to get the required amount. We have actually contacted an agent who might be able to help us, for a fee of course, but he can get us duty-free fuel which will save us $2.00 on every gallon. Once we reach Ua Pou and hear back from the agent, we will up-date you on our check-in situation.
Today the boats Pelican Express and Dutch Touch arrived in the anchorage on Hiva Oa. They were anchored next to us in Santa Cruz in the Galapagos, but they headed for Easter Island as we headed for the Marquesas. Scotty also arrived today. They left the Galapagos a couple of days before us but had a very slow passage. I know they were glad to reach land at last. And Jade also arrived today. Jade is a catamaran out of Hong Kong with Arnie and Cam and their two beautiful children aboard. They left the Galapagos about five days after us, but had to turn back for repairs. We talked to them today and they said they had a great passage-twenty-one and a half days.
It is time to get ready to eat dinner and do the night watches. Aqua Magic is traveling with us tonight, so we do have company. It feels good to be on the way again. I look forward to exploring the new island of Ua Pou.
