June 16, 2012
Since we last posted:
We sailed about five miles west to Daniel’s Bay. It’s actually two small bights and after turning right into the east bight, we were treated to another beautiful bay that appeared to be completely land-locked because of the turn at the entrance. Also because of this turn, it was a very calm bay and it may have been our stillest night on the boat since leaving Redondo Beach.
At Daniel’s Bay we hiked to the Vaipo waterfall – we’re told the third tallest waterfall in the world. It was about a two and a half hour hike to the falls. I just don’t have the words to describe the incredible beauty on walk to the falls. Whether it be God or Nature, I am in awe of it’s creator!
At the falls, we swam in wonderful cool pools with water cascading into the pool. Crayfish-like things cleaned our legs and feet. Strange, glowing growth lined the top of a deep crevice. After the hike back out, we had coffee at a local’s house. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful day!
Now we’ve sailed back to the island of Ua Pou in a bay by the main town–the one that was too crowded for us last time we tried. We caught up with our friends Dean and Sabina on Local Talent here and went out for, what else, pizza.
The weather’s looking good for a Monday departure on the 450 mile trip to the Tuamotus Atolls. It should take us three or four days. We’re not even sure which atoll we’ll head for and are planning to sail in the general direction of Takaroa and see what happens as we get closer. The fall-back is about another day’s sail: Fakarava. Google Earth should easily locate these. We’ll also try to check in with the Pacific Seafarers Net so there might be some updated tracking information on the “Track Us” link. -Rich
