Photo finish with an update

Ron channeled Neptune as we crossed the Equator. Lou Lou and Sooze made the costume.

We celebrated with some Champagne.

Go fly a kite and boy did it fly

Trini was exhausted from the rain and rough seas

We did laundry as we crossed but then the rains came for 10 days

 These are some of the photos from our crossing. Hope the video uploads as well. Enjoy!

Susan entertained us when we were board.

Sooz and Berkeley thought they had a fish but it was a poor sea tern that got his wing hooked. The fisherman turned out to be Lou Lou.

Sooz found some pirate stuff and amused us with her best

Daz tried for his sextant celestial navigation certification but the rain got in the way.

T loved the fish and wanted to wear her sailor suit

Lou Lou caught the Tuna; two at the same time on each hook we had out. We are having the last of the Ahi tonight.

I made sashimi and susi and man, it doesn't get any fresher. Berkeley ate the flesh before it was off the fish.

Sherri, Lou Lou in the middle and Sooz.

Sooz is amazing with rope;here she is making a Turks head for Ron's chair so it won't hit the chart table. Sooz made the Neptune costume all from rope.

The sailing sirens taken as we left Mexico

Setting sun 2000 miles in the middle of the Pacific.

Star gazing

Friday April 22, 2011: Wow, what a week! Checked into Nuka Hiva main port and all went well as our agent Regina, was a gem, helping us through the process. Sherry and Lou both speak a bit of French, so that made it easier. Trinidad was denied to come ashore because she must clear through a vet in Tahiti as there are no veterinarians in Nuka Hiva.Today we sailed to a remote place on the island called Anaho Bay; a sheltered bay out of the turbulent ocean. The ride here was very rough. Tahihoie Bay, is the the main settlement of Nuka Hiva; a cool little settlement with schools and a small rural hospital. I decided to have the cyst removed that has been on my back for years. The French surgeon did a marvelous job and Whala...only draw back is I can not swim for 10 days. They charged me only $50.00!

Ron and I had a beer in Tahohie Bay and it cost $15.00 for two can beers! Good thing we stocked up in Mexico.

Coming into Nuka Hiva

Tahahoie Bay

The town had 2 small supermarkets and I swooped up some can goods, frozen veggies, and Brie cheese. The baguettes are not bad either. There is a farmers market on Wednesday and we bought tomatoes, fresh French green beans, eggplant, green onions, and cabbage. It was heaven to find fresh produce and the next morning the girls went to town and brought me back 2 cucumbers! Today I made a tomato cucumber salad and the left over grilled Whaoo on cabbage with fresh papaya with lime mayonnaise. Ymmmmm. Hope I can post the pix soon; the internet is non existent.

Lets back things up to the first part of my story, the part where Daz and Berkeley abandon ship 2 day's after we reach land in Nuka Hiva. The boy's paid for passage on a small Benitu sail boat with an Aussie named Stew, headed to Tahiti for boat repairs. The boy's plan on catching a flight back to LA. Daz and Berkley tried to talk me into their mutiny, but I opted for the big boat with the fun girl sailors and Ron. Daz didn't much like the girl sailor thing and worked himself into a froth during our ocean crossing. He had a 100 degree melt down his last night on the boat, after he told Ron he was leaving the boat; Ron answered simply, "'okay Daz" . That was 2 weeks ago and to tell you the truth we are much better without them.

The boy's watched from the Benitu, as the girls repaired the main sail, rigged a device to catch the abundant rain water (delicious water), placed the Mizzen cover over the sail, lifted the main sail and the anchor and sailed away! And they said it couldn't be done! Given half a chance, anyone could see these girls talents.

This aint no fish story. Lou Lou caught this big boy and we still have plenty in the freezer. Whaoo, much like swordfish and I grilled it with a rub; better then steak.

Wednesday, April 27: Anaho Bay has been a terrific anchorage; we have not moved from our spot. Been here 1 week now, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking to the next village 2 hours over the mountain and picking fruit off the ground from abundant mother earth. Best coconut, papaya and mangoes I ever tasted and passion fruit to! Lou Lou went up the mast and reported that the main sail was not broken, the kar had simply come out. The lazy jacks were restrung, the Gennicker sail dried out and put away, shade cover dried out and put away, storm sails put away, back in crew quarters. The boat looks good; Lou and Sherry cleaned the scuppers with a rust remover we found. Daz spent hours cleaning the suppers with sandpaper, the remover had it clean in 3 minutes! 

Tricky passage into Anaho Bay

Anaho Bay; Ron and I went for a shore hike to take in the land.

Many are called but few show up! The Island had a church but it was Easter Sunday and no one attended service.

The road to no where

Good shot of the island

Palm trees were everywhere and we picked up some good coconuts, the best i ever tasted and the coconut Ron was waiting for. The Mango and papaya fell from the trees like manna from heaven. We ate ourselves sick.

My bread making skills have become awesome.

Daz used the sandpaper and the girls were not keen on that method

They found some cleaner on the deck and wow, what a nice job it did. Quick and easy

The girls were pleased with the cleaner and the scuppers were clean lickidy split!

Ron and the girls took the trash to shore to burn it; when they return I am going for my first swim in 8 days as my wound healed up pretty good.

Yesterday Susan changed the oil in the generator with Ron and filled the batteries with the pure rain water; the batteries were seriously low and had not been looked after properly. I am so proud of the girls, they are talented each in their own way and lots of fun to hang out with. Lou has caught buckets of delicious rain water she calls sky juice. The water maker is making water, but Lou's sky water is the best water I have ever drank.

May 1, 2011 Sunday in Nuka Hiva main port of Tahoie Bay: after spending 2 days in Daniels bay we decided to come back here (been all around the island) as we can provision food, fuel, and water, as well as check out of the Marquesas. Hope to be off to Tumotos which are 76 small atolls to explore. We will have internet again in 2-3 weeks at Rangiroa.