By Nicole
Stars were fading, and the sky was just beginning to lighten to the east when I saw it. Land! Still some 35 miles off in the distance, the island of Hiva Oa rose from the sea. We'd made it to French Polynesia! At that moment, smiling to myself, I felt absolutely fantastic, and I held back my urge to scream, "Land ho!" so as not to wake Aaron. When it was time for his watch, though, I clanged our bronze bell and yelled the words I'd been holding back for hours. It all felt a little silly, but so what. We just sailed our boat across the Pacific Ocean.
We're anchored in the tiny bay of Taahuku on the island of Hiva Oa. There's a buzz of excitement and a feeling of camaraderie among the 20 or so sailboats who are anchored here like sardines. Whether we came from Mexico, Panama or Ecuador, we all completed this epic journey and are reveling in the awesomeness of that feat together.
At this moment, a giant peak, lush and green, looms over the hills surrounding the bay. Palm trees and other exotic tropical plants sway in the gentle breeze flowing down the valley. Roosters cock-a-doodle-doo their morning greetings. And a brilliant blue sky hangs above it all. It's magical and wonderful and everything I thought it would be.
PASSAGE FACTS (Galapagos, Ecuador to Marquesas, French Polynesia):
Total nautical miles traveled: 3,302
Number of days at sea: 25
Fastest 24 hours: 171 nm (average speed 7.1 knots)
Slowest 24 hours: 113 nm (average speed 4.7 knots)
Number of flying fish on deck: oodles and oodles
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Congratulations guys!!! We've been following along with your SPOT updates and blog posts, and are so happy to hear that you've made it safe & sound!
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is -- how does it smell?? That was my memory (from when I was 11) of landing in Hiva Oa: the land smelled soooooo strongly of tropicalness that it was almost overwhelming :)
Can't wait to read more of your adventures!
Leah & Jon
s/v Brio
Thanks, Brio! And to answer your question, it smells deliciously tropical here. Love it! Take care.
DeleteCONGRATS! That is huge, I can't imagine how good it must feel to be anchored in paradise after that trip. Can't wait to read your explorations of the islands.
ReplyDeleteYay!! What an accomplishment! It must feel amazing.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you arrived safely. Can't wait to read about it!
Hugs to you both. We miss you!
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYou have done what many have wanted, few have started, and fewer still have completed.
You salty dogs you.
bob
s/v Eolian
Seattle
Congrats you two!! Such good news. What an amazing trip. :) Glad to hear it went smoothly.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. We've been watching your progress. Randomly met some friends of yours last night while unloading our car at Shilshole. They said they had friends about to landfall and I went Belle Star? Sure enough. The husbands name was Paul and they have a Cal 35 that they went crusing on in the early 90's. Such a small community.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a small world, isn't it? Or maybe it's just a small community of sailors. Either way, I'm glad you got to meet s/v Altair -- they're very cool people. Thanks for following along with our journey!
Delete25 days?! What an accomplishment that most of us will never experience! Congratulations and we look forward to hearing all about the exotic French Polynesia!
ReplyDeleteYay!!! I'm so excited for you guys!!! Congratulations on an amazing journey and all the exciting discoveries still ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!!! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fantastic run to do that in 25 days. As a fellow HC33 owner I am encouraged by those stats. How much did you motor to keep that pace? I can't wait to hear about your island adventures. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteBob
sv About Time
Thanks, Bob! We motored-sailed off-and-on for the first two days to get down to the wind, but after that we sailed! We motor-sailed again toward the end, since the winds got flukey around the islands and we were excited to arrive. All in all, I'd say we motored maybe 300 miles? If we have good wind, sailing for us is way faster than motoring.
DeleteHope you're loving your HC33 as much as we love Bella Star. Great little boats ... And not as slow as you'd think!
So glad to hear you made it! Natalie checked your blog this morning with no new news and I got the email update this evening! LAND HO!
ReplyDelete-Nate, Natalie and Sully from S/V Astraea
Congratulations to you both...a long way from the Bunsbys. We also met your fellow cruiser on SV Osprey when we were in Melaque. It is a small world.
ReplyDeleteAlison and Craig
Congratulations Nicole and Aaron on courageously completing your daunting marathon - glad you made the finish line in Hiva Oa and are safe, both you and your trusty vessel, Bella Star. By contrast, we are thinking now of that tragic outcome at the Boston Marathon where the finish line was anything but safe or a time/place of celebration. Nature can wreek it's own havoc, no need for humans to cause the carnage of bombs. Keep safe and keep blogging.
ReplyDeleteHugh Lawford, Canada
IMPORTANT re Donations: Best Intentions . . . .
ReplyDeleteYou should know that folks who are not living in the USA cannot make a "donation" to you/Bella Star because the donation form, although it allows Canada as a "country" of origin of the credit card donation REQUIRES a designated "STATE" and Canadian Provinces are not listed!
SO a credit card donation is not possible - bummer for you guys, eh?
Hugh - a follower living in Canada
Thanks so much for thinking of us, Hugh! That's what really counts -- and we certainly do appreciate all your kind words and encouragement. You know what? I think you deserve a toast anyway. We'll raise a couple of cold Hinanos in your direction!
DeleteAll the best,
Nicole and Aaron
Congrats! Have loved following your blog. Did you guys eat the flying fish?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brian! No, we tossed the flying fish back to the sea. We figured they wouldn't be good to eat (they're stinky even when they're alive!), but we've since learned that the big ones are quite tasty. Next time. :)
DeletePHEW! I CAN FINALLY SLEEP TONITE!
ReplyDeleteXXOO
So proud of you guys! Can't wait to hear and see more. What an amazing accomplishment!
ReplyDeletelove you!
Little brolaw
So great to hear you made it (never a doubt) and really amazed by your stats. We'll have something to shoot for when we make the jump ourselves in 9 months time.
ReplyDeleteHeather and Ron
Hooray!!!! Land Ho!! I'd ring the bell too - that's not silly at all, it's awesome!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
SOOOO happy to hear you have sighted land, makes my day!
ReplyDeleteToday you are under clear blue skies and at you destination. Here in Seattle we are under cloudy skies with rain. But, today I will celebrate with you as the other half of the family will be at CentryLink field watch SuperCross. It was cold but not much rain.
Enjoy your beautiful surroundings and soak in all the great weather and ventures you will soon be taken. I do need pictures so I too can enjoy. I especially require the arm shot, miss you guys every day
Love you, be safe and have fun
Dad
Wow guys, 25 days?? That is something to brag about for sure. Can't wait to read about all your Marquesan adventures! - Steph & Dave
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks to everyone for all the congratulations and well wishes. It's so fantastic knowing that you're here (at least from time to time) checking in on us and following along with our adventure. It's also nice to know that our parents aren't the only loyal readers. :) (Hi, parents!)
ReplyDeleteStay tuned for more updates and PICTURES!
-Nicole and Aaron
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ReplyDelete