Day 18 Happy Easter!!!

Day 18 4/16/06 4:30 am
Coordinates............ 02 39.656S, 131 22.818W
Heading................ 210
Boat speed..............7 knots
24 hr total nm .........170 nautical miles (NM)
miles total since MX....approx. 2679 nm
Wind direct. & speed....E 20-25 knots
Swell direct. & ht .....E 3-5 ft.
Cloud cover.............80%
Barometer...............996

Frist and foremost, Happy Easter to everyone.
Second, we have only 100 more miles to go!
After our crazy night we each tried to let the other sleep as long as possible. Still feeling a bit battered, sleep is the best cure right now. The boys of course popped up like daisies this morning in anticipation of Easter. We had discussed this and decided ahead of time that the Easter bunny probably wouldn't make it offshore. Secondly, much like Santa, he is not going to appear if there is anyone awake. As Tristan pointed out, there is always someone awake so that makes it nearly impossible. To which Matthew chimes in, who needs the Easter Bunny when we have the Easter Mommy. Bless his heart.

Easter mommy said that she had been taking notes the last few years from the Easter Bunny and came through in full force for them. Awaiting their bright eyes this morning were easter bags instead of baskets filled with a few bits of candy, games and books. We had died eggs the night before but unfortunately they tried to take flight in the middle of the night and many had already left their shells. It is rather difficult to find hiding places on a moving boat I must say. It was a wonderful day all in all. I have lost track of how many rain clouds we have passed though but of course they always come up as Bruce is heading down for his nap. We wrapped it up with some nice pork chops instead of our usual Easter ham and a few chocolate eggs.

Last bit of news is that we have changed our course a bit. We were heading for the island of Hiva Oa and the Atuona anchorage where one clears customs. We learned this morning that they are going to be dredging there for the next few days. We had also heard it rumored that they don't mind if you visit another island for a few days before checking in. That island for most people would be Fatu Hiva, the southern most and perhaps one of the most beautiful islands. It is one of the few without an airstrip therefore most preserved. The way the winds blow, it is most beneficial for navigation of you can start there and work your way back to the other islands, so that's what we'll do. Our pals on Lawur and Capaz are only a day behind us so we will all convene there. Depending on how the winds go tomorrow, we should be there by tomorrow evening. We can hardly believe this passage is almost complete. It sort of all runs together but I can hardly believe it has been nearly 3 weeks. We were hoping to arrive before sunset but that looks a little difficult so now we are hoping for closer to 10:00 pm after the moon rises. Any light we can have to help us in would be great. Hopefully next time I will be writing you from an anchored boat. Could you imagine!

until next time,
love lisa and the boys