[password]shipnavire1
[status]
:position 13 20.168s 176 11 155w
We made it. We arrived off the island of Wallis at dawn, the sea so rough that is was debatable if we'd get in to the lagoon through the passage through the reef. We hoved to for a couple of hours and tried at low tide successfully steering through the narrow break in the coral. We wove through the coral filled lagoon and dropped anchor in a sheltered bay. 11 days, 1500 miles, our longest passage yet.
David
Delighted to be at anchor. Ahhhhhhh, flat water. So gorgeous. Lush green hills. Well kept houses. Within minutes we had: a ride into town tomorrow to do customs etc, a freezer to put bottles of water for ice, some music making, local dance event, a cafe, a local vege shop, a diesel supply close by and a motor boat to run us back and forth, and a guide and interpreter for all things Wallisian. All care of Ben who saw us arrive and dropped by in his runabout to see what we needed. He had to wake us. We were already asleep. We could have gone to a local live music event but took the option to rest, post passage wisdom that has taken us along time to absorb. Ben was raised here and has returned to teach physics and chemistry. Great English, a rarity here. All looking sunny for Wallis.
Janet
Big thanks to Gulf Harbour Radio in NZ and yachts Seal and Swift Sure who were monitoring our position each day, also GHR gave us daily weather reports. Looking forward to getting 11 days email. More news once we have rested up
Cheers Janet
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