We are now 211 miles southwest of Bora Bora, on a rumbling rushing ocean filled with wind from the east, waves from the south and east, and enough spray to wash Sea Child several times over. Yesterday morning around 11:30 am we cleared the buoys at Bora Bora, bidding our farewell to French Polynesia and their beautiful lush islands. We enjoyed our time there, even had the reef fish literally eating out of our hands while snorkeling the popular Bora Bora spot called, ironically, "Coral Gardens". This coral gardens was different from the one on Maui, the snorkel boats actually feed the reef fish who have no fear whatsoever, and when you swim into the area, they come right up to your mask and poke at your hands. It was the closest I've ever seen reef fish, and is definitely one of many wonderful memories of our time in French Polynesia.
The sailing we are experiencing right now is intense, plenty of wind thats for sure! We have made 211 miles from Bora Bora, and it has not yet been 24 hours since our departure. At this rate, we expect our arrival in Rarotonga to be tomorrow afternoon. With this sailing experience, I must say that it is intense, the seas are wild out here, powerful, rolling past us, throwing us around a bit, and Sea Child is responding with all her power, as Eric says, she can take this stuff way easier than we can! It's an impressive ocean, and when we left Bora yesterday, it was like we were shot out of the starting gate, big screecher up with full main and we saw 15 knots instantly! For the night, Eric decided to double reef down the main and reef the jib, and as I sit here writing this email, we are still sailing a steady 12 knots. Talk about power!
Writing on the computer inside this powerhouse of a vessel, things are scattered here and there, Sandro's forward bunk is soaked and things are finding new homes all over the place. We are all trying to get our rest, not an easy thing to do on a sea like this. At this rate, our arrival into Rarotonga will be total sailing of 2 1/2 days. Now that's fast. We are not ones to complain about speed and distance, but this crossing is turning out to be the fastest yet on this leg of our Great Adventure.
CURRENT POSITION:
18 degrees 18.131 minutes SOUTH
155 degrees 00.088 minutes WEST
CURRENT POSITION:
18 degrees 18.131 minutes SOUTH
155 degrees 00.088 minutes WEST
