Midnight – November 16/17 2016
Only 34 miles to go to get to Rarotonga. At the moment it is a beautiful balmy clear night sky filled with all the constellations and we are making 6+ knots. I’m hoping to go in early so I can get started on my shopping before the stores close. I’m expecting a moon rise in the next hour which would be a great spectacle to witness.
I’m excited to be making a landfall. I have sailed just over 2200 nautical miles since leaving Gisborne on Monday, November 28th.
Tying up in the harbour will be a real thrill. New places, new people, new smells, and sounds. Those first wobbly steps and staggers for the next while are always difficult to get used too. I have all three of my VHF radios ready and charged. Giving the Harbour Master a call when I get to the harbour entrance is an important moment.
My yellow Quarantine flag is ready to be hoisted and I will proudly place the Canadian flag on the transom toe rail. I have my list of things to get and after clearing customs will get started.
Proudly Canadian
It is only 10:00 pm and so I am going to try get some more rest before an early morning lookout to catch the first site of land as it takes shape coming out of the night.
I’m taken back to 1997 when I made my first landfall in The Iles Marquises after 62 days from Victoria in Sannu II our Haida 26. Back then it was also a clear moonlit night and I sailed down the east coast of Iles Nuku Hiva around Cape Martin past the spectacular pinnacle of Tokomaito, across Controleur Bay and into Taihoa Bay where I anchored amongst the boats. It was three o’clock in the morning when I finished my first single handed non stop ocean voyage.
Once again that first phone call to Marylou is the very most important thing to do.
November 17, 2016 03:15
Land Ho !!!
Rarotonga lying just off our starboard bow
High mountain ridges silhouetted against a moonlit sky
Lights along the shore like a string of pearls
Twinkle like diamonds
Flicker as the waves on the horizon roll past.
There is also an amazing tropical smell. I have a great feeling of accomplishment this morning and I miss Marylou a lot.
07:30
Just received a phone call from Glenn as he enters Avatiu Harbour, Rarotonga. He sounded happy and excited to be making landfall.
Great news! Love the details of your journal.
Glad you’re doing well. Will u be exchanging your reading materials?
Glenn I was in Rarotonga in 1994 with my softball team coming back from Australia after winning a gold metal in softball. Nice little island. A buddy and I climbed up a tall mountain up past the hospital. Met a good friend there, his name is Fire. Probably still there. They also have a max security prison.
Hi Glenn It’s been great following you on another adventure!
We are going to be on Molokai from January 6 to April 6
Are you planning on sailing through the Hawaii?
Anyway, all the best and stay safe!
Regards, Bill and Tracey
Congratulations on making Rarotonga, Glenn! So exciting to be following along – we’re looking forward to hearing more about the area through your reports!
Cook Islands one of my favourite places in the South Pacific. I’m sure you will enjoy your visit to Rarotonga, also north approx. 145 nm is a little atoll or more correctly a lagoon encircled by coral reefs is Aitutaki … just heaven on earth. Haven’t been back to the Cook Islands since the early 1990s so I’ll bet there has been a lot of changes. But of coarse you are on your way back to God’s country Victoria, B.C. Safe travels and tight lines to you Glenn, following your journeys from sunny Sooke, Vancouver Island.
Great news! Love the pictures, too!
Congratulations on yet another epic single handed ocean passage Glenn! Thanks for your wonderfully descriptive blog posts. Enjoy your run ashore.