Trapped in Raivavae

I am starting to understand why this island only gets ten boats a year.  Instead of doing laundry, taking hikes and relaxing after fifty four days at sea with only an 8 hour break at Pitcairn, I have been doing anchor watch for four days straight as winds generated by a tropical depression are accelerated down into the anchorage blasting the boat and throwing spray on everything.  I have not seen the sun in a week.   If you study the weather chart above, you can see that trade wind conditions do exist.  Most boats headed to the Societies from the Marquesas have a nice broad reach in 15 knots...

One of the benefits of visiting places that get fewer boats is that the expat community is starved for company and go out of their way to help you.  I will take advantage of the opportunity to upload a clip or two.

Nothing too interesting in this one.  Vid quality is poor because of the length.

Here is me gloating.

Turns out there were two other boats on the other side of the island.  One left so there is now only one other.  So far that is it for the year - just the three of us.  No one is showing up this week and that is for sure.

Raivavae, Australs

Internet is still too expensive and slow to do much except for quick updates.

This island is described as the most beautiful in the South Pacific according to two popular cruising guides.  It really is quite something.  I was told by the officials checking me in that the island only gets ten boats a year.  Crazy.

The real debate is whether to go for Rapa or not.  I could call it quits and just head north where it is mellower.  I had headwinds for almost half the passage from Pitcairn....

We wil see.  I will be here for a few days.  It is good feeling being in a safe anchorage.  Will post again.

Pitcairn Island

Just a quick mind dump.  Internet here is expensive and slow.

39 days out of Melaque, Mexico.  Did a sail by of Henderson Island on day 36.   Very bad weather experienced on day 37.  Near knockdown size breaking waves, white out wind squall, the last remaining side mount solar panel had the glass shattered so that really sucks...  Good news is that by the time the gale blew itself out, I was less than ten miles from Pitcarin!  This meant that I could come ashore as there is no safe harbor.  It is open roadstead but today it is less than 10 knots of wind so I made it!  Cruise ships visit here but the conditions are usually such that passengers don't get to come on land....

This place is definitely trophy level.  Raw, pristine island with a neat history with a lot of the current inhabitants (60 people) able to trace their ancestry to the mutineers of the Bounty.

I can get fruit here so I will skip Gambier.  That place has an airport so it makes it less interesting.  Will most likey head to Raivavae.   Rapa Iti would be another trophy but you need special permission and it is at 28 South which means work.

All is well, boat is tougher than I am and the ocean is a truly beautiful place with incredible gems like this island.  Lots of love to everyone (not checking my email this time) and we will talk again when I get an affordable internet connection.