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American Spirit II - Day 454; Darlene Arrives & Dinner with Nexus and Celebrate; Sunday, April 5, 2015



One year ago today:

"Day 92; Nuku Hiva Mistake , Sleeping Clothes, Fans, Low Side Pole (Again), and On the Way to Ahe; Saturday, April 5, 2014. Upon leaving Nuku Hiva I realized that due to the snack bar with free and good Wifi, we were distracted and missed an opportunity to explore Nuku Hiva. We spent too much time at the snack bar. Specifically, Daniel's Bay, which is 2 to 3 miles to the west of our anchorage, has a waterfall that you can get to by hiking thru the mountains. We could have gone there for a day in our boat, and then motored back to the anchorage we were in. Live and learn. No way will any of us ever be here to explore that waterfall and mountain hike again."

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Joel up at 8:00 AM. I got up at 8:40 AM. Before breakfast a couple, Wayne and Ali, stopped by on the dock and chatted with us about the ARC.

Breakfast at 10:00 AM consists of bacon, 3 eggs, potato, and chilled pear halves.

During breakfast Imbert, who was referred to us by the marina, stopped by and talked to Joel and me about making a piece to replace the broken one on our hydro generator. He said he'd get back with me today about how he could make us a new piece out of plastic or wood. However, he never called me back today or Monday. Island time.

Next Meagan, a 31 year old geologist who schooled in Utah, stopped by again to talk with us about how to get on a boat to sail around the world. She wanted to take a year or two off and sail around the world. We gave her some crew web site information and explained to her how ARC boats are always looking for crew.

We departed for the airport at noon with one of Russ and Laurie's sons (Trevor) and girl friend; arriving there at 1:05 PM. To get to the airport we had to cross the island to the west coast, then head south. It was the main road of the island, and the fastest way to get to the airport even though it was twice as long as the western coastal road.

As we waited for Darlene at the airport, finally a Custom's or Immigration officer came out to the general area with Darlene at 2:25 PM and asked Joel what port our boat was in. Darlene didn't know and they wouldn't let her into the country until she said where the boat was harbored. Once she did that she was with us shortly.

We drove back to the boat via the scenic western coastal road, which was full of switchbacks. It took twice as long as the trip via the long, main roadway. As was the case on the main road, there are almost no street signs on the island. None. And the roads were steep, up and down; repeatedly. We were finally back at the boat at 5:00 PM, with the car fuel tank almost empty. Because it was Easter and Sunday, no gas stations were open.

At 5:15 PM we had cocktails on Nexus with Russ, Laurie and Eric from Nexus; and Charlie and Cathy from Celebrate. After our 'social hour' we headed to a restaurant for dinner around 7:30 PM. After dinner we were back at the boat by 10:00 PM.

Brian Fox



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