On Friday 28th October the first boats started to arrive in Le Port La Reunion sailing 131NM on the shortest leg of World ARC coming from Port Louis Mauritius. Boats arrived at Le Port de Plaisance where they met with the Amel 54 Caduceus re-joining the rally after their stop in the Indian Ocean for 6 months.
After the 16 boats have arrived and completed the entry formalities with customs and health department officers participants were allowed to step ashore on time for the Welcome party and Prize Giving of Leg 14. The catamaran Resolute II was the first boat to arrive in Reunion and took 1st place in multi-hull division. Belafonte arrived 3rd in monohull division followed by Mearra Nieida and Exocet Strike who only motored 36mins on this Leg. After receiving a warm welcome from the president of West Coast of Tourism of la Reunion Mister Sinimale participants enjoy some local creole dance as well as good wine from the region and food provided by le Dodo Gourmand Restaurant.
After a busy 1st day of arrivals participants took time on the following day to get their cars they booked, ready to go and explore the island and his mountains.
On Sunday morning participants went on a full day tour starting at 0745 in the morning taking them South to the world famous volcano Le Piton de la Fournaise one of the most active volcano in the world. Their first stop was a beautiful view point looking over la Riviere des Remparts before arriving at the bottom of the volcano at Le Pas des Sables famous for it’s lunar landscape.Finally they got to the top of the Volcano at Pas de Bellecombe to discover the Volcano where they walked around the crater for 45mins before getting lunch in a creole restaurant. On the way back they stopped onto a local fresh fruits and vegetable market where they did some provisioning.
On Monday 31st October participants dressed up in their most crazy costume for the traditional Halloween party at le Dodo Gourmand where they danced until late.
During the rest of the week participants had time to get around the island with their own car, Mearra Nieida went for a 3 days trek up to the mountain in the centre of the island whilst Paradise Found went on a 45mins helicopter ride known to be one of the most impressive one in the world.
Finally looking at the weather window the start was moved forward by 1 day in order that participants will avoid strong weather expected in Richards Bay in mid November. 17 boats left at 0900LT this morning, Friday 4th November to complete their Indian Ocean crossing on probably the most weather challenging leg of their whole circumnavigation taking then to Richards Bay where the boats will be berth at the Zulu Land Yacht Club