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Exody - Days 271 -274 : Mahi Mahi + Mauritius



It took us three more full days to make the final stretch of under 500 miles, deliberately slowing a little so as to time our arrival for daylight and a favourable tide.  The conditions remained superb though, with the wind backing a little, we were poled out again.  We tied up in the Caudan basin in busy Port Louis at 09.30 local time Monday 12th having crossed the finish line two weeks and one hour after the start.  Exody was 8th boat in, less than two days behind the leaders, having averaged 6.95 knots.   Along with virtually the whole fleet we had zero engine hours which will make the results even more keenly anticipated than usual!

Appropriately for a Friday, we had landed a 5+kilogram Mahi Mahi, almost to order since we had deferred fishing until the last of the protein in the fridge was consumed.  Now dined on three times, there is the same again still in the fridge - calling for some culinary creativity.  The last apple was eaten on Sunday, leaving only potatoes and onions in the vegetable hammock from our Cocos Keeling shop two weeks previously, and nothing at all spoilt along the way.

Saturday we had the first 'movie night' of the whole trip, though scheduled to the afternoon to max out solar power for the laptop.  Absent the popcorn, it was still an enjoyable way to pass the time and I am sure we will watch more.  I finally picked up some of the reading matter on board and worked my way through a couple of books over the last three days.  

A handful more ships passed through the Sunday night and a catamaran closed on us for our final approach through the narrow tidal Quoin channel north of Mauritius first light Monday.  The last dozen miles were a fast beam and close reach to the finish line down the low lying north west coast lined with beach resorts.  The attractive mountainous backdrop cloaked in cloud threatened and delivered rain for our final entry to the busy harbour. 

The Caudan Basin  appears to have been cleared for the World ARC yachts to line the U-shaped quay perimeter wall.  We were welcomed by the fleet - in the traditional way with foghorns blaring.  World ARC yellowshirts brought us a tot of local rum and a most welcome fruit basket.   Soon cleared in with multiple forms, thankfully all pre-filled in by WorldARC, signed and ceremonially stamped with the Exody ships stamp.  

The characterful nearby shopping centre, newly built but in a French colonial style, focused on attractive waterside restaurants and crafts for the cruise ship market has no supermarket so we'll venture further into town tomorrow.  A short walk has given us a feel for the culture of this place - halfway between Asia (ref Lombok) - prayer calls etc and Trinidad for the racial mix.  

We had several prompt visitors the first afternoon - first up was Mr Deodath of Dr Goreeba Laundry Co - within five hours he had returned 10kg of washing ironed, folded etc.  Mr Rashid- the 'marina' taxi driver was next offering 'all services', then (on invitation) Bertrand the boat fixing agent to deliver an electrician to check our charging system and finally Julien of Musails to quote for fixing our tired Stackpack canvas and zip.  

The hub of support activity and entrepreneurial service providers surrounding a World ARC stopover is always interesting to observe. Within no time at all the fleet have also sussed out and shared knowledge on the available chandleries, workshops and all kinds of supplies, some having sourced their needs in advance by email from mid-ocean.  

We have more than a week here so very few things will not get sorted!  Exody will be thoroughly spring cleaned before elder daughter Fay arrives Saturday morning.

Peter (Skipper)


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