|
 UPDATE
- TALLSHIP SOREN LARSEN RETURNS IN 2004 TO EASTER ISLAND - PITCAIRN
- MARQUESAS & TAHITI
2 April - 21 May - See more here
First Mate Sally Anderson's
Web Log report from the Marquesas onwards to Tahiti.
June 2001: "Bet
you thought we reverted back to Polynesian navigation and got
lost!!!
Not quite but we have found our way through the red antifoul dust and we’re back at
sea. Ian our webmaster has been keeping you updated and now we can give you some direct
news.
 The
last report was many moons ago and the ship was cruising through
the Marquesas. Just a reminder French Polynesia is made up of
5 groups of islands – the Marquesas in the NE, the Tuamotus
to the SW and further again to the Society Islands and the Australes.
SE of the Tuamotus are the Gambiers.
Upon clearing
the Marquesas we sailed SW through the Tuamotus – the largest
group of coral atolls in the world. They lie in a NW/SE line
1,500 kms long. Within the chain there are 78 atolls. We visited
Apataki and the largest, Rangiroa. The lagoon is 78 kms long,
24 kms wide; Tahiti would fit inside. The snorkelling was superb
and at Apataki we had a beach BBQ, with the mossies.
Forty eight of
the islands are inhabited – total population 14,500.
The Tuamotus are
famous for their black pearls (pinctada margarit ifera)
and the unfortunate fact two atolls at the SE end have been
used as a nuclear test zone. The last test was in 1995 and was
met with tremendous, international outcry.
 Our
last sail ended in Cook’s Bay, Moorea, 12 miles to the
West of Tahiti. We had our end of voyage party here – a
fantastic night with lots of heart warming speeches. And cocktails.
And to top the night off Sal-Anne and Squiz pierced VC young
Geoffs ear in the galley; an earring and a tattoo? What will
his grand children say?
On Sunday 5 May
we weighed anchor and motored across the Sea of the Moon to
Tahiti, coming alongside in Papeete that morning.
How quickly a
long voyage finishes. It was a strange day as our VC prepared
to leave and by lunchtime the ship was ghostly quiet.
Hello to all the VC from Panama to Easter Island and Easter
Island to Tahiti. We miss you all and still think of you often.
It was a fantastic voyage. Don’t forget your chafe checks
and safety rounds!!! Lots of love from all the crew, and Monica
and Charlie.
And guys, stop
throwing banana peels out the window – remember you have
a speedometer again.
Tahiti –
Frangipanis, swaying palms, turquoise water, moonlight beaches
and warm, balmy nights. Not quite. Try red antifouling, chipping
anchor chains, scraping wood, sanding, caulking hammers banging
away, deafening power tools, late nights and the challenge of
painting Soren’s bottom in between tropical downpours.
During this maintenance
period the ship was hauled out of the water on the 10th
and the hull and topsides where prepared for and received a
new coat of paint.
Click
HERE for pictures of Soren
going back in the water after being painted.
We were back in
the water on the 28th and preparations began for
our next voyage to the Cook Islands.
The crew also
managed a few days off and most of us went to Moorea; a real
laid back south sea isle. White sandy beaches, deep bays, lush
volcanic peaks and beautiful blue/green lagoons. Magic!!!
Monica and Charlie
(VC since Curacao and going on to Vanuatu) also ventured to
Moorea and discovered scuba diving – they’re both
hooked and rarely seen out of the water.
Some of our crew
are departing here.
Western Australian
deckie Troy is heading back to Oz, probably Sydney, looking
for another ship.
Ship’s carpenter
Andrew is heading back home to NZ to his farm.
Sydney deckie
Rob is also heading home to carry on building boats in his Dad’s
yard.
As part of the
jobs rotation Jimma is replacing Andrew as Ship's Carpenter
and Nick has replaced Jimma as Bosun.
Our three new
deckies are Joost from Holland (a cousin of Bernt's..), Richard
from NZ and Western Australian Dave.
And before we
knew it was the 3rd June and the new VC were boarding,
including my Dad! What a treat.
Below are links to Sally Anderson's Web Log reports from
the Galapagos to Easter island:
Part 1 tells of their passage from Panama
to Cocos island - 7/12th Feb. Click here.
Part 2 covers from Cocos
Island to the Galapagos - 13/18th Feb. Click here:
Part 3 recounts their journey
between Galapagos
and Easter Island, and their experiment in traditional navigation
methods, 22 - 28th Feb:
Part 4: Continues the passage
to their arrival at Easter
Island, 1st-19th March: Click here.
++++++
VOYAGE CREW RETURNING HOME: Scan and email
or post your pictures of your voyage! If you have an account of your trip or a special
moment then let us a know. Your tales can be included in the Voyage Log!
Email to escape%40sorenlarsen%2eco%2enz
(send max 4 or 5 picture per email)
Soren Larsen Voyagers Log: P.O.Box 310 Kumeu,
Auckland 1250 New Zealand
Contact our Auckland HQ:
Phone 00 649 411 8755
Fax 00 649 4118484
Email : escape%40sorenlarsen%2eco%2enz
Postal address P.O.Box 310 Kumeu
Auckland 1250 New Zealand |
