Location 16° 14S, 146° 35W
Sunday, 10.07.2007

At noon on October 7th the Schooner Maggie B was at 16° 14S, 146° 35W. We were making 6 knots, closed hauled, headed southeast. The wind is from the East at between 12-20 knots, with an occasional 35 knots in rain squalls. The weather is mostly clear.

We had a super ride yesterday coming out of the main pass in Rangiroa. The current was perhaps 6 knots, flowing into a 20 knots opposing wind. We hit the pass at 1600, just as the outflow was beginning to crank, under full main and jib. The Maggie B rose marvelously to the occasion, giving spectacular leaps from wave to wave. We blew our very loud horn as we entered and the dive boats scattered and watched us with awe.

The waves are now settling down somewhat. Last night it was rough and not all members of the crew were fully active.

We are making our way south and east, sliding outside the main mass of the Tuamotus. Kaukura, Arutua, Tupana are behind us. The only one still on our way is Anaa, which is about 60 miles ahead. We should be well outside the restricted zone around Mururoa, where the French used to test nuclear bombs.

Easter Island is about 2150 NM away, a little South of East. The coast of Chile is about 4000 NM.

We certainly learned one thing at the Kia Ora hotel, which is that September is the month to get married in Italy. More than half the high occupancy was Italian newly-weds. We liked the Kia Ora, but it really didn’t approach the standards of Hotel Bora Bora, where we were badly spoiled. I’m not sure if there just isn’t that much experience with the hospitality industry in the Tuamotus, or that Kia Ora is the only first class hotel on Rangiroa and so no one is pushing them to be strong. Perhaps a bit of both.

Today is the first full day at sea with this new new mix: Frank Blair, Hannah Joudrey, Kath Moore, and Robert Farrar. We are just sorting everything out, but I believe that we are in very good shape for a big passage.

We are starting crash courses in Spanish.

All is well.