The contrast between the chaotic anchorage at Taiohae in Nuku Hiva, to the tranquility of Kauehi village couldn’t have been any more stark. Where in Nuku Hiva FALKEN rolled heavily in the unbroken swell which backwashed against the seawall, we sat perfectly still inside the protected lagoon at Kauehi atoll.

FALKEN made landfall at tiny Taiaro, an uninhabited (but with signs of life) atoll about 25 miles northwest of our goal, Kauehi. Ryan spotted the palm trees poking above the horizon about 8 miles out, just before 1500 and called an enthusiastic ”LAAAAAAND HO!” As we approached at speed, the island soon resolved into that classic image of South Pacific desert island…

Anyway, it’s HOT! But I have a philosophy that you’re never allowed to complain about anything so long as you’re sailing fast and in the right direction, and that we are certainly doing. FALKEN has covered 317 miles now in 36 hours, and the breeze couldn’t be any better. 15-20 knots apparent on the beam, two reefs in the main and some of the jib furled up and we are flying.ssage we tend to sit tight in one place and recover, doing small boat projects, going exploring ashore where we can, but generally not moving the boat.

I wasn’t sure we’d ever get out of Nuku Hiva. After spending 2+ weeks on anchor in a rolly Taiohae Bay, both Emily and I were ready for a chance of scenery. We’re not your typical cruisers — after a passage we tend to sit tight in one place and recover, doing small boat projects, going exploring ashore where we can, but generally not moving the boat.