June 16 2007
Marquesas Islands LAND AHOY!! LAND Ahoy....
WE HAVE ARRIVED. In some ways, quite unbelievable, we keep "pinching" ourselves that we did it! It only seemed like yesterday we were in the Galapagos Islands and on the Mainland of Ecuador.
Twenty-five days, three hours and three minutes later, we have made it to Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands, South Pacific, Southern Hemisphere, Pacific Ocean, Planet Earth. We arrived at 10:30 this morning, then spent the rest of the day veggin' out. Best of all, it was worth it. It is really beautiful ("Awesomely beautiful"), steep terrain, green, really vibrant limes to sage green vegetation, and amazing rock pinnacle formations that peak below a thick cloud cover.
The rains drop heavily and then clear. The easterly winds blow through the anchorage with fierceness and then it is calm. Luckily, it is a mud and sand anchorage where we are holding well in 60' of water. Sam and Anya are laying in the cockpit, just enjoying the night weather as it is irrational and irreverent.
Already, we have been invited by the villagers to attend the Church Mass at 8 AM and the 9 AM Father's Day celebration. Both David and Agustino, local wood carvers (tiki statues), extended invitations to John (and the rest of us, too) to come and join in the dancing, singing and of course, libations. We are "comfortably" anchored with 13 other boats.
HAPPY FATHER's DAY to all the fathers of the world. And especially, to our fathers (Albert, Bob and Job), your daughters (Judy and Anya) and son (John) thank you, thank you, thank you, for the love, guidance and support you have given us. We are your children who pursue a roadless traveled, going to far away lands, living our lives exploring places and just being ourselves, always knowing we can come home to your unfaltering love.