TUAMOTUS - Manihi

We weighed anchor at half past midnight on July 4th from Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas to head for Manihi, an atoll in the paradise of the Tuamotus.

In the wee hours of the morning with a single reef in the main and a 20-knot wind on the beam, the mainsail answered the strong wind by ripping at #1 reef. So we set 2 reefs to prevent any further tearing. Our mainsail is getting quite old now (it was on the boat when we purchased Sea Turtle back in 2005 and we don't know how long it had been used previously). We are hoping it will last until we get to New Zealand where we will then replace it.

On July 5th, we saw the most vivid rainbow ever. The colours of the total arc were so distinct and bright. Then to top that off, another half arc rainbow appeared over it.

We experienced a lot of squalls and at times with almost gale force winds, going too fast for landfall! (Meaning we would be arriving at the entrance to the atoll too early as we have to enter at slack tide and with the sun directly overhead to be able to see the coral heads.) At one point, we were down to bare poles and still doing 5 knots as we tried to slow our passage time. Very lumpy seas and unsettled weather...

Land Ho after 4 days and 5.5 hours!