… well, they never left but I’m back in the squalls! Wind was up and down and squalls came and went. Felt like I was back to the equator again. With only 50 NMiles to go until the archipelago of Taumotus I change plans after doing the math for sail-speed and distance left to match slack tide at the entrance for the atolls. Seems like the best option is to head to Raroia. If my math is correct we should arrive there at between 08 and 09. Slack is at 09 and we can ride the last hour of flooding into the atoll, dodging the Coral heads!
After a lively night, with squalls and dark clouds with wind up, 02.20 I noticed three boats within 14 NMiles of us. On my screen it looked like two (s/v Dovka and s/v Nimue) of the boats were heading north and one (s/v Joint Venture) was heading south, all on collision course. I had a suspicion the two facing north were hover-to…So I sit and wait for one of them to hail. And they did. Turns out that I was right, boats are hove 20 NMiles from the entrance of Raoia atoll, waiting for sunlight and tide shift so they can glide in at slack! I will keep course and speed as I have 30 NMiles to go before I am at the entrance.
Sailaway Sarantium 
I just checked NFL, looks like you are inside, well done! And now hanging out with 13 other boats (at least), on that leeward east shore. I wonder if that runway is still in service? Seems like a very small atoll to have flights coming & going. The lagoon must be spectacular, look forward to the photos as/when possible. Another new adventure for you to enjoy!
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get on a plane!!!
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Ha! I just checked it out – easy weekly 2 hr flight from Tahiti, tempting! But that would be cheating 😁
Amazing that such a small atoll has air service to it. Tried to look up the history of the airstrip, thought it must be an old WWII runway, could not find anything. Am sure you will know.
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