Marquesas Arrival

Hi everyone,
We arrived at the Bay of Virgins on the island of Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas at 0830 local time today.  Local time here is UTC-9:30.  That's a 34 day 20 hour passage done.   4337nm over the ground.  I'll do a Passage Summary post in due course with all the statistics.

Wow - what a place

Last night was interesting with a lot of rainstorms, an acceleration zone and contrary currents and winds near the island.  We went from a nice steady15G18 E wind to 25G38 very rapidly as we entered the acceleration zone off the island.  The island is quite tall so the wind flows around it rather than over it.  When we came out of that zone winds were 10G15 from the NW with a choppy sea.  And we had a knot of current against us.  So the engine went on to help us bash through the chop.

As we approached the anchorage the E wind was coming through the 'saddle' behind the bay, again 25G30.  But as we entered the bay the wind calmed.  It's obviously going to a gusty spot.  In the bay the water was brown due to run-off from last night's rain.

Here are a few images of our approach and the anchorage.

Island Approach

Arrival

Satellite Image

The island is very spectacular to approach.  We did so in the pre-dawn, initially with just a little moonlight penetrating gaps in the clouds.  After dawn a couple of  local fishermen came past in their tinnies and gave us a wave.  Then as we approached the anchorage our courtesy and Q flags went up.  We're flying both a French flag and a French Polynesia flag.

Early dawn light approach

Welcome party

Courtesy and Q flags

Spot the waterfall

Looking forward to a short time here resting, cleaning then perhaps exploring.

Trust all's well where you are!