17 March 2010
Landfalls of Paradise. That is the title of one of the pilot books that we use for the Pacific. What wonderful images it conjures up for me. Tropical islands, coconut palms swaying in the breeze, pristine white sand beaches, clear turquoise water, lush rainforests, the scent of frangipani, hibiscus, and stephanotis, exotic fruits and vegetables. It is all that and more. It is exactly what we are heading towards. French Polynesia our next landfall is the collective name for The Marquesas, The Tuamotos and The Society Islands. The Marquesas are hauntingly beautiful, The Tuamotos, tiny coral atolls surrounded by a protective barrier reef, The Society Islands, stunning sophistication. We have just over one thousand nautical miles to go to arrive at our first South Seas island paradise. This is the stuff that dreams are made of and I have been dreaming of this for a long time.....
Susan Mackay