Where we are now

We made "land fall" at North Minerva Reef yesterday. It feels so good to 1. not be bashing and banging around and seasick 2. be back in the tropics on Britannia 3. be clean, showered, relaxed and fed. 4. have alone/down time with Krister.

FYI to all cruisers: Minerva (23 37.284 S, 178 55.977 W) has good holding, lots of space (there are 15-20 boats anchored with us now- like a virtual marina) and it provides reasonable protection. There is a bit of roll at high tide but nothing compared to the roadstead anchorages of Baja. A nice place to stop in the middle of a passage if you need a rest or to wait for better weather.

This place that we are is like magic! It's in the middle of the ocean. If you didn't know it was here you'd never find it- and if you did accidentally run into it, you'd be in trouble. It goes from 1000 feet deep to dry land that's only inches above sea level. We just had to trust the coordinates- we couldn't see it with all the swell until we were about 100 yards away. So it feels like we're anchored in the middle of the ocean. There's NOTHING here. The only way to get here is on a private boat; not enough land for an plane to land, or build house, or grow anything... And it's kind of a no man's land. Fiji and Tonga dispute the claim to it. Not that it matters because after a few years of global warming it'll be underwater.

We're waiting here for the wind to blow from a different direction to make our passage to Fiji. Sounds like we'll be here until Friday (that's Thursday for you). While we wait I hope to get in the water and do some snorkeling. I saw a giant manta ray jump and belly flop while coming thru the pass- amazing. There should be a healthy coral eco-system since no one comes here to fish or throw toxins and garbage in the water.

Krister is also doing some boat work while we wait; our propane system needed help (the solenoid is out) and the toilet needed a new valve so it won't back fill. So thankful for that guy! I don't know how we would would manage this trip and living on a boat if he weren't an engineer.

So suddenly were back in cruising mode! Fantastic locations and dirty boat jobs. Feels good to be back home :)

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