Tidal gates determine the timing of departure and arrival and only fools do battle with the moon and its gravity. It is also imperative to tackle passes and coral strewn lagoon navigation in good daylight. Obeying all rules we left Makemo at noon and planned arrival at our next motu pass a couple of hours after dawn.
The plan worked like a dream and we ghosted along in flat water under half sail beneath a star stuffed sky until the silvery sliver of moon rose in the east and, with it, the inky blackness receded. We are never more than a mile from Ken and Trish in Shanti 3 who clung to our wake and only veered away when their autohelm spontaneous disengaged many times. Ours does the same but much less frequently!
Six miles from our destination the dawn glow began and the camera came out to record Shanti’s own sunrise.
With the anchor safely down and floated we chose the big petrol outboard for the dinghy so that we can snorkel, dive and visit friends further afield. Soon we were reunited with S/V’s Matilda, Pacific Wind and Shanti and got a coffee in each. Nomad was in too and it was good to finally catch up with Wolfe and Doris and share Greenlandic stories and ski mountaineering exploits around the globe. They have been following our exploits for years and likewise we have been plugged into www.seenomaden.at for years. An inspiring couple. Distant mutual admirers finally meet in a remote, uninhabited Pacific atoll.
We snorkelled a few bommies and spent an hour or two removing what remains of the Marquesan marine growth from our waterline to make Shimshal look as pristine as her surroundings.
Simon
Our chain floating above the delicate coral studded seabed.
Our chain floating above the delicate coral studded seabed.