From Fatu Hiva

We enjoyed this litle island where the scenaries are just beautiful, amazing, impressive and much more. We met the locals who gave us some fruits(huge grappefruits and bananas), went for walks, swam in a waterfall and even went to church this morning to listen to their Polynesians songs. We met new friends. We cleaned the boat (inside-outside)...relaxed and slept so well after so many nights at sea. Tomorrow we are going to Hiva Oa (only 40 miles) to do our clearance, try to find some fresh vegies and visit Gaugin's grave. If we find Internet we should then post some photos.

Thanks to Merlin!

We arrived after 17 days at sea. The anchorage is simply beautiful. The view takes our breath away. Tonight, champagne to celebrate our crossing and then a good full night sleep for all. We went ashore this afternoon. It is a pleasure to speak French again and to communicate with the very friendly locals.

Thanks to Merlin for taking us safely (without any damage) these 3000 miles.

Our position : 10deg 27'S 138deg 40'W



La ora na!

Bonjour des Marquises!

Nous sommes arrives apres 17 jours de mer. Le mouillage est simplement superbe. Une vue a couper le souffle. Ce soir champagne pour feter la traversee et nuit complete pour tous. Nous sommes alles a terre cet apres midi. Plaisir de parler francais a nouveau et d'echanger avec les locaux tres sympatiques. Les enfants ont eu aucun probleme a se trouver des dizaines de petits copains. Eux aussi sont contents d'etre arriver. Merci a Merlin de nous avoir emmene, avec surete (et sans casse) tout au long de ces 3000 miles.

The latest news

We should arrive tomorrow so there is some excitment on board. 130 miles to go. However the wind died and we are going slowly, but surely, with the asymetrical spinnaker at 4.5-5 knt.

Greg, Victor and Mamouss had a Pacific haircut.

Greg, Felix and Emmanuelle went for a Pacific swim in very very clear and blue water. Can't find a better swimming pool than that.

We caught a fish, a 1m Wahoo, but it escaped when we tried to pull it on board. A real pity as it was our first fish!

We had a amazing moon rise last night. It was as orange as the sun going down on the other side.

This morning, we spent 3 hours trying to get rid off the many bugs in the pasta, the flour and the rice.

Our position: 10deg 08'S 136deg 28'W

From all the crew awaiting for more wind... Please send us some land news!

Incroyable

Conditions parfaites pour un rayon vert hier soir : pas un nuage l'horizon. Comme toujours nous etions tous dehors a l'attendre et a l'appeler (une vraie tradition sur Merlin, tous en choeur, nous chantons "Green flash, green flash...). Alors que la lune, pleine, se levait a l'Est, le soleil nous a offert un rayon vert. La houle s'est deroulee a l'horizon et a notre grande surprise, le soleil est reapparu et nous a offert a second rayon vert. Superbe, magnifique, magique!

L'equation du jour : PAS + EOLE = PETOLE, le "T" venant de nos frustrations a ne faire plus que du 4 noeuds. Nous pensions arriver jeudi soir, il se pourrait maintenant que ce ne soit que samedi! Les odeurs de la terre et les chants des oiseaux nous manquent (ainsi que des fruits te legumes frais).