The good ship Curare arrived at Hanga Roa, Easter Island at 8:00PM local time on April 3, 2011 after an 18 day passage of nearly 2000 miles from the Galapagos Islands.
We expierenced almost all expected weather conditions along our southerly route starting off with a nice push of northerly winds for the first 24 hours, followed by a couple days of calm and variable conditions and then finally into the southeast trade winds blowing off the coast of South America. At times those trade winds were a little more than we wanted and since our course was southerly our standard sail plan became a triple reef in the main balanced by the stay sail. When we wanted a bit more throttle we'd unfurl the genoa and then take it as needed for squall conditions. Most of the time we romped along at 6 knots with lots of spray over the deck. Since Jessie doesn't like getting wet with any form of water, she is a princess after all, during her times on deck we would run off before the wind (this meant the spray went away) and she was more comfortable. After that was over, it was hard on the wind again.
As we approached the port of entry on Easter Island we were hailed by the Port Captain representing the local Armada. They took down our pertinent details and then arranged to board us in the morning. Perfect since it was dusk and the light was marginal. We followed the Armada's instructions for anchoring but missed the sandy patch on the first attempt. If we weren't successful with our second try it would have meant leaving the anchorage and standing off for the night since there are numerous rocks close by and we could not try a third time in the dark. Luckily the hook grabbed in 15 metres, we set out 70 metres of chain and backed down hard to make sure it was set well. Then after a quick meal the entire crew of Curare turned in for a welcomed good nights sleep.
To put it in perspective, Easter Island is a tiny bump in the middle of the south Pacific. The island is shaped like a triangle with its base oriented NE - SW and the top of the triangle jutting NW. At 10 miles long by 6 miles wide the island is about the same size as Gabriola Island. It's basically like hitting a needle in a haystack in this huge ocean which is why the place is so mysterious.
After the Armada, Customs, Agriculture and Immigrations officials inspected Curare and her crew the next morning, we were ready to head ashore. The only problem is that the small boat basin lies within a gap of two breaking reefs. There are surfer dudes hanging ten, or whatever they do, on each side of the narrow entrance channel. From Curare's perspective in the anchorage the dinghy ride looks impossible. But timing is everything and after putting the dinghy together, Geoff and Jessie set off for shore. They made it in to the protected boat basin between wave sets and Jessie got her first shore leave in 32 days, she was smiling.
you made it - I did send you a note about jessie - what about the quarantine issues? were the officals ok with her getting off the boat?
Posted by: kathi | April 06, 2011 at 06:26 AM
Bravo! How many days will you be staying on Easter Island and where will you go next?
Posted by: M-F | April 05, 2011 at 02:42 PM