Duration: 5.5 days
Our timeframe for the planned journey from Les Sable d’Olonne (France) to Brisbane Australia was five months, our anticipated arrived being somewhere around the 25th November. With the number of delays we experienced, in the main due to equipment failures, we were aware that unless we sailed straight through with no stops our estimated time of arrival in Brisbane was not going to happen. Realistically at this stage mid December was most likely, and that would mean leaving three planned Pacific island stops off our itinerary. We had already foregone a stop in the Marquesas, with Nuie and Fiji now also off the list. Whilst we were in Papeete, Peter contacted his boss at home and arranged additional leave until Monday 15th December. So, we now had a definitive deadline that we needed to meet, and whilst all the vagaries associated with sailing were still in play, this timeframe was doable. We would also need to limit our time in the last two stops, the Cook Islands and New Caledonia.
With a couple of major repairs completed and the boat reprovisioned, we departed Papeete at 1800 hours on Friday 15th November. The first night was ‘interesting’ a shifting wind direction and strength until we had passed the island of Moorea, which is situated just west of Tahiti. Once passed the island we made steady 6 – 7 knots overnight, and on Saturday through to Sunday morning we again experienced fickle winds which played havoc with our course. As a result, we decided to motor/sail to maintain boat speed and at this stage looked to arrive in Aitutaki, our destination, around Wednesday lunchtime. (Aitutaki which is part of the Cook Island group, is a beautiful atoll just perfect for swimming, snorkeling and chilling out). We actually arrived a day earlier than expected, on Tuesday 19th November around 2200 hours and as the channel is very narrow and unlit we drifted overnight down the coast until early morning when we could get a better visual. Unfortunately, when we arrived there was a significant swell, breaking across the channel entrance and surrounding reefs, which didn’t look as though it was abating any time soon. As a consequence, Peter decided to make way for Rarotonga, a short one day sail south. We arrived and docked in Rarotonga, Avatiu Harbour, at 0800 hours the next day.
Just an additional note regarding Avatiu Harbour. This is a commercial port with high concrete wharves and you will be required to dock Mediterranean style. Access to the wharf from the boat is via ladder which at times was extremely tricky. More importantly, if there is any form of a northerly swell you are likely to sustain damage. Even with the anchor set, four stern and two back spring lines and our largest fenders across each transom, we sustained damage to the swim ladder and transom on the starboard side.
Lastly at Rarotonga we said ‘Farewell’ to both remaining crew members and wished them safe travels. Going forward, and for the first time we would sail the final two legs of this amazing adventure as a couple. We were excited at the prospect of fully taking the reins so to speak and sailing into Australian waters in less than a month’s time.