Weather conditions: Beautiful
We anchored in Fanning on Monday - 5 days ago already. Since then we have been getting Moondance organized and liveable, chasing down some leaks, working on projects, laundry (lots), catching up on our sleep, plus doing some exploring. It has been a fast/busy week!
Fanning is an atoll and we are anchored in the lagoon, which is so many shades of beautiful blue. There was one boat here when we arrived, but they left heading south. Two other boats are anchored on the other side of the channel. Not a lot of cruisers or tourists come here - unless you are a surfer. There is a bit of a current in the anchorage, so we have anchored 3 times. We now have the perfect spot.
There are approximately 2500 people living on this atoll and Gilbertese is the native language, but English is taught at the schools. Kiribati was a British protectorate, but have now formed their own republic. Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati, is on the other side of the international date line. Christmas and Fanning recently adjusted their time to be in line with their capital, so the date is one ahead of Hawaii. We thought we arrived on Monday, but it was actually Tuesday local time.
We have been trying to determine the origin of the Fanning people - very different from the Polynesians - but haven't figured it out yet. We have heard Samoa, New Guinea, and Micronesia - it is a mystery. They have been very friendly and everyone knows that we belong to the "yacht" - hah!
Fanning has no electricity, but some have solar and a few have generators. At night, there are only a few lights on. But, recently internet equipment was donated and a business opened. Wifi is $5 US for an hour. Pretty cheap and very busy!
Most people live in palm tree huts with thatched roofs (kia kia's) that are ~2 feet off the ground and moveable. Copra (coconut meat) is their only export. Everyone fishes, of course, plus we see a lot of volleyball, soccer, basketball, and lots of time in the water. Definitely on island time!
Island transportation is mainly by small canoes - some with sails - all very low to the water. It is a big lagoon and the locals use the wind and the currents to help with the crossing, but it looks like a lot of work. There are a few scooters, lots of bikes, and a few flatbed trucks that are used for bussing people and their stuff. And the "free ferry", which is a small metal boat that goes back and forth across the channel. It holds ~40 people standing, plus all of the ones hanging over the sides! The only way to get to Fanning is by boat - no planes.
We tracked down Bruno and his wife Tabeta (sp) who own the A La Belle Etoile guest house. From what we had heard, they were wonderful people and good to the cruisers - everyone was right. They immediately invited us over for dinner, which we accepted. Dinner was fish curry, baked fish, rice, and a salad - very tasty - and all cooked outside on a grill/oven made out of stone and steel. We brought beer, wine, and brownies - everyone was happy. They have three guests - Fred, Mike, and Jeff (surfers from Hawaii) - we enjoyed sharing stories with all. Fred and Mike are also responsible for the fish - they go out almost every day. In fact, they brought us a nice fish by last night. Not sure what kind, but it looks like a great dinner!
Bruno and Tabeta really appreciated the donations from Ko Olina. We have more to deliver to the school and others on Monday. Moondance is definitely getting her water line back!
Life is good here in Fanning. We hope to do some more exploring on Monday - we hear there is a store somewhere and I hear church bells ringing. Our buddy boat Evergreen will be here on Sunday/Monday, plus the supply ship is on its way. Wahoo!
PS: We celebrated our 31st Anniversary on Wednesday. Can't believe we have been together so long - it has gone by so fast and we have had so many wonderful adventures together. More to come!
Summary of our trip - we gave it a B Minus rating and the crew was rusty! We had good wind most of the way and only had to motor 10 hours - mostly through the ITCZ. The waves drove us crazy coming from all different directions and pounding ol' Moondance and keeping the crew wet. We also had lots of rain associated with crossing the ITCZ, plus some lightening - had to drag out our foul weather gear. Squalls were mild - highest winds we saw were gusts to 32 knots. But, we had three great days of sailing with calm seas - just like the pictures! We only saw one boat in our eight day crossing, but lots of birds, stars, and that beautiful moon.
Maybe our next trip will be a B Plus - hope so!
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Saturday, June 22, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Day 8 - Safely anchored in English Harbor, Fanning Island, Kiribati
And it is a beautiful place! We are tucked inside the big lagoon anchored next to the village of Paelau and we only have to share our view with one other boat. Very peaceful and what a sunset...
Customs met us at the boat right after we dropped our anchor and checked us in - no more quarantine flag for us. It was an interesting crowd and we made sure that they all got some chocolate.
Doug is cooking dinner - grilled flat iron steak and brussells. We haven't had a real home cooked meal for awhile, so this is going to be a treat - plus some wine - yeah!
We are both pretty zonked (no nap today) and looking forward to both of us being back in our bed at the same time and not have to get up for our 3-hour watches. Plus, we won't be rocking and rolling. We are going to sleep great.
I will write more once we get rested - summarize our trip, plus share some details about Fanning Island. And, one of these days, post some pictures!
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Customs met us at the boat right after we dropped our anchor and checked us in - no more quarantine flag for us. It was an interesting crowd and we made sure that they all got some chocolate.
Doug is cooking dinner - grilled flat iron steak and brussells. We haven't had a real home cooked meal for awhile, so this is going to be a treat - plus some wine - yeah!
We are both pretty zonked (no nap today) and looking forward to both of us being back in our bed at the same time and not have to get up for our 3-hour watches. Plus, we won't be rocking and rolling. We are going to sleep great.
I will write more once we get rested - summarize our trip, plus share some details about Fanning Island. And, one of these days, post some pictures!
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Sunday, June 16, 2013
Day 7 - Oahu to Fanning Island
LATITUDE: 05-58.24N
LONGITUDE: 158-53.99W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 135
Miles to Fanning Island: 136 (tomorrow - we hope - come on winds!)
SURVIVING THE ITCZ!
After watching it rain so hard yesterday that we couldn't see the front of our boat and everything (almost) that we own was wet, we were wondering if it was time to open Karen and Ed's gift - The "Oh Shit" bottle of Pendleton Whiskey. Not quite yet, but we did decide to have an ice cold Longboard's beer. It tasted wonderful after not having anything fun to drink for a whole week - Aloha!
Then the doldrums hit - no wind. So we motored and charged the batteries for 6 hours. The rest of the day, we fought squalls, rearranged sails (again and again), cleaned up messes - the usual cruising stuff.
We had a wonderful sail last night - 15 to 20 knots of wind and the stars and moon were shining. We had a few small squalls come through, but nothing big.
4am we had a little "incident". Doug announces that our bilge pump was running, but not working. He had to explain that a few times to me. After some investigating, the bilge pump just needed to be primed, which he quickly took care of - my plumber running around in his underwear - very cute. Good thing. No one wants to think about water in the bilge - especially with all of this rain!
This morning, we had a few more squalls, but lots of sunshine. The wind has changed direction and coming more out of the east, so we are having to change our sails in order to make Fanning easily. Hopefully, we will have enough wind to get us there to make slack tide tomorrow, but I will be happy to just be anchored outside the island tomorrow. It will just be a wonderful treat to "not" be moving!
Hope all is well with our Family and Friends - thinking of you!
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LONGITUDE: 158-53.99W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 135
Miles to Fanning Island: 136 (tomorrow - we hope - come on winds!)
SURVIVING THE ITCZ!
After watching it rain so hard yesterday that we couldn't see the front of our boat and everything (almost) that we own was wet, we were wondering if it was time to open Karen and Ed's gift - The "Oh Shit" bottle of Pendleton Whiskey. Not quite yet, but we did decide to have an ice cold Longboard's beer. It tasted wonderful after not having anything fun to drink for a whole week - Aloha!
Then the doldrums hit - no wind. So we motored and charged the batteries for 6 hours. The rest of the day, we fought squalls, rearranged sails (again and again), cleaned up messes - the usual cruising stuff.
We had a wonderful sail last night - 15 to 20 knots of wind and the stars and moon were shining. We had a few small squalls come through, but nothing big.
4am we had a little "incident". Doug announces that our bilge pump was running, but not working. He had to explain that a few times to me. After some investigating, the bilge pump just needed to be primed, which he quickly took care of - my plumber running around in his underwear - very cute. Good thing. No one wants to think about water in the bilge - especially with all of this rain!
This morning, we had a few more squalls, but lots of sunshine. The wind has changed direction and coming more out of the east, so we are having to change our sails in order to make Fanning easily. Hopefully, we will have enough wind to get us there to make slack tide tomorrow, but I will be happy to just be anchored outside the island tomorrow. It will just be a wonderful treat to "not" be moving!
Hope all is well with our Family and Friends - thinking of you!
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Saturday, June 15, 2013
Day 6 - Oahu to Fanning Island
LATITUDE: 08-24.35N
LONGITUDE: 158-47.77W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 130
Miles to Fanning Island: 271 (getting close!)
WHAT'S VERY VERY DARK AND VERY VERY WET AT 10:30 IN THE MORNING?
Yup, that would be the ITCZ. The area where the weather systems from the north and the south converge and they don't get along! We are sailing through it right now and Moondance is soaked inside and out. Plus, throw in some of that lightening. Fortunately, not a lot of that because sailboats don't like lightening around their expensive electronics. But, I did see a glow-in-the-dark bird. I swear!
Yesterday, we Hove To, which allows you to stall the boat at sea. You can work on projects, get some rest, eat a meal, etc. It is a very surreal experience, especially when you been constantly moving for 5 days. Moondance is sitting still while all of the waves are flowing past. It works!
We also got to do some "extreme" sewing yesterday. Our bimini (cockpit cover) all of sudden ripped out one of its seams. Doug attached me to the gallows and held on to me, while I sewed my Frankenstein stitches. Thanks Mom, I can sew!
Lots of squalls yesterday and one big around 5am this morning. I was tucked in bed and Doug fought her for 40 minutes - he was soaked, but still smiling.
Happy Birthday wishes to our Bestie - Carol on s/v Evergreen. Hope you are having a wonderful day and we look forward to celebrating in Fanning with you next week! Love from the crew of Moondance.
PS: I was a little disoriented late last night and got up thinking that we were delivering a boat for Brad and Kaki (Kokua Yachts). Why are we delivering it at midnight, Brad? Cuz you know you want to, Carla. Just exactly what Brad would say! Doug has been having funny dreams too - guess that is part of our weird sleeping schedule.
PSPS: The Milky Way was so big and bright last night. What a spectacular treat!
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LONGITUDE: 158-47.77W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 130
Miles to Fanning Island: 271 (getting close!)
WHAT'S VERY VERY DARK AND VERY VERY WET AT 10:30 IN THE MORNING?
Yup, that would be the ITCZ. The area where the weather systems from the north and the south converge and they don't get along! We are sailing through it right now and Moondance is soaked inside and out. Plus, throw in some of that lightening. Fortunately, not a lot of that because sailboats don't like lightening around their expensive electronics. But, I did see a glow-in-the-dark bird. I swear!
Yesterday, we Hove To, which allows you to stall the boat at sea. You can work on projects, get some rest, eat a meal, etc. It is a very surreal experience, especially when you been constantly moving for 5 days. Moondance is sitting still while all of the waves are flowing past. It works!
We also got to do some "extreme" sewing yesterday. Our bimini (cockpit cover) all of sudden ripped out one of its seams. Doug attached me to the gallows and held on to me, while I sewed my Frankenstein stitches. Thanks Mom, I can sew!
Lots of squalls yesterday and one big around 5am this morning. I was tucked in bed and Doug fought her for 40 minutes - he was soaked, but still smiling.
Happy Birthday wishes to our Bestie - Carol on s/v Evergreen. Hope you are having a wonderful day and we look forward to celebrating in Fanning with you next week! Love from the crew of Moondance.
PS: I was a little disoriented late last night and got up thinking that we were delivering a boat for Brad and Kaki (Kokua Yachts). Why are we delivering it at midnight, Brad? Cuz you know you want to, Carla. Just exactly what Brad would say! Doug has been having funny dreams too - guess that is part of our weird sleeping schedule.
PSPS: The Milky Way was so big and bright last night. What a spectacular treat!
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Friday, June 14, 2013
Day 5 - Oahu to Fanning Island
LATITUDE: 10-29.25N
LONGITUDE: 158-40.36W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 146
Miles to Fanning Island: 401 (over half way!)
WE HAVE PROOF....
You can't have two good sailing days in a row - just can't happen.
The sun tried to make an appearance, the wind decided to get feisty, and the waves threw a party and invited all of their friends from all neighborhoods! Moondance and crew were drenched with waves hitting us on all sides - whack - but we all did fine. We took down the jib and put up the staysail (our double reefed main has been permanent). We were flying along with 32 knots of wind with no stars or moon to guide us - it was very dark. Early this morning, the waves corrected and smoothed out our ride - yeah - and we were able to get some rest!
Today we have good wind (mid 20's) and the sun peaks out around the squalls once in a while. That will help us dry out! The Grib files (weather) show that the winds are supposed to be calming down tomorrow. That would be nice. But, until then, we will make some miles.
We are still hoping to be at Fanning Island on Monday. If we miss slack tide, we will anchor out for the night and motor into the lagoon on Tuesday.
Looking forward to seeing this wonderful island that we have heard so much about, plus deliver all of the goodies that our friends and neighbors have donated. That will lighten our load for sure.
Hope our friends and family are doing well - miss you!
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LONGITUDE: 158-40.36W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 146
Miles to Fanning Island: 401 (over half way!)
WE HAVE PROOF....
You can't have two good sailing days in a row - just can't happen.
The sun tried to make an appearance, the wind decided to get feisty, and the waves threw a party and invited all of their friends from all neighborhoods! Moondance and crew were drenched with waves hitting us on all sides - whack - but we all did fine. We took down the jib and put up the staysail (our double reefed main has been permanent). We were flying along with 32 knots of wind with no stars or moon to guide us - it was very dark. Early this morning, the waves corrected and smoothed out our ride - yeah - and we were able to get some rest!
Today we have good wind (mid 20's) and the sun peaks out around the squalls once in a while. That will help us dry out! The Grib files (weather) show that the winds are supposed to be calming down tomorrow. That would be nice. But, until then, we will make some miles.
We are still hoping to be at Fanning Island on Monday. If we miss slack tide, we will anchor out for the night and motor into the lagoon on Tuesday.
Looking forward to seeing this wonderful island that we have heard so much about, plus deliver all of the goodies that our friends and neighbors have donated. That will lighten our load for sure.
Hope our friends and family are doing well - miss you!
----------
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Thursday, June 13, 2013
Day 4 - Oahu to Fanning Island
LATITUDE: 12-53.53N
LONGITUDE: 158-36.28W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 143 (picking up speed)
Miles to Fanning Island: 540 (almost half way!)
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD...
It was beautiful - sun shined, the ocean sparkled, waves settled down, winds continued 18 to 25 - we made up some time and it was smooth sailing. I like that. If we are lucky, we just might have that kind of day today too.
So we rested, read, and I worked on my mani/pedi - which is way over due.
Already started to think about the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). It is lurking at about 6 degrees. I am not looking for a Free Pass, but hoping that we catch it on a good day and it gives us a gentle ride.
Also, already starting to think about that first ice cold beer (or two) once we drop our anchor in Fanning!
I keep forgetting to tell you about the Cloud Trains - that's what I call them. Every afternoon, these long lines of clouds form and continue to grow bigger and longer and darker throughout the day following the sun as it passes. As the sun sets, they converge around it and create these amazing formations. I can't describe it well, but I got lots of pictures I will share.
As we pass under these Cloud Trains, we expect increased wind on the front side, a little calming in the middle, and increased wind on the back side. Usually, lots of rain too, but so far we haven't had but a few sprinkles.
It is hard to imagine the force that the sun and the moon have over the clouds and waves - very interesting watching them charge after the setting sun and rally around the moon. Hope you get to see it one of these days!
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LONGITUDE: 158-36.28W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 143 (picking up speed)
Miles to Fanning Island: 540 (almost half way!)
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD...
It was beautiful - sun shined, the ocean sparkled, waves settled down, winds continued 18 to 25 - we made up some time and it was smooth sailing. I like that. If we are lucky, we just might have that kind of day today too.
So we rested, read, and I worked on my mani/pedi - which is way over due.
Already started to think about the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). It is lurking at about 6 degrees. I am not looking for a Free Pass, but hoping that we catch it on a good day and it gives us a gentle ride.
Also, already starting to think about that first ice cold beer (or two) once we drop our anchor in Fanning!
I keep forgetting to tell you about the Cloud Trains - that's what I call them. Every afternoon, these long lines of clouds form and continue to grow bigger and longer and darker throughout the day following the sun as it passes. As the sun sets, they converge around it and create these amazing formations. I can't describe it well, but I got lots of pictures I will share.
As we pass under these Cloud Trains, we expect increased wind on the front side, a little calming in the middle, and increased wind on the back side. Usually, lots of rain too, but so far we haven't had but a few sprinkles.
It is hard to imagine the force that the sun and the moon have over the clouds and waves - very interesting watching them charge after the setting sun and rally around the moon. Hope you get to see it one of these days!
----------
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Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Day 3 - Oahu to Fanning Island
LATITUDE: 15-05.24N
LONGITUDE: 158-35.04W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 122 (slow...)
Miles to Fanning Island: 683
WE CAUGHT FISH(ES)!
Well, one jumped in to the cockpit and Doug sat on him and squished him (a horrible/stinky death).
One Doug caught on the handline. A 15lb Skipjack. We decided to hold out for an Ahi, so we gave him back to Neptune. But, it was some excitement - we love catching fish.
Most of yesterday and last night, we were sailing through big black squalls and big waves. The squalls are windy, but no rain, so that helps. So, we chose to leave up our staysail so that we could be comfortable. It worked; we both slept well and are functioning better.
Today, the sun is shining and we haven't seen a squall yet - big waves, but no squall. So, we put out our jib (reduced) and are making much better time, plus it smoothed out our ride.
Ed & Karen - did you see the moon and the planets that form the triangle? It was so crystal clear and beautiful - thought of you two. I will try and get a picture tonight!
My current social network: Flying fish, birds (boobies, terns, and seagulls), and Doug. Miss my Peeps!
Hope everyone are doing well!
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LONGITUDE: 158-35.04W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 122 (slow...)
Miles to Fanning Island: 683
WE CAUGHT FISH(ES)!
Well, one jumped in to the cockpit and Doug sat on him and squished him (a horrible/stinky death).
One Doug caught on the handline. A 15lb Skipjack. We decided to hold out for an Ahi, so we gave him back to Neptune. But, it was some excitement - we love catching fish.
Most of yesterday and last night, we were sailing through big black squalls and big waves. The squalls are windy, but no rain, so that helps. So, we chose to leave up our staysail so that we could be comfortable. It worked; we both slept well and are functioning better.
Today, the sun is shining and we haven't seen a squall yet - big waves, but no squall. So, we put out our jib (reduced) and are making much better time, plus it smoothed out our ride.
Ed & Karen - did you see the moon and the planets that form the triangle? It was so crystal clear and beautiful - thought of you two. I will try and get a picture tonight!
My current social network: Flying fish, birds (boobies, terns, and seagulls), and Doug. Miss my Peeps!
Hope everyone are doing well!
----------
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