Marquesas
20/10/2005
Received from Terry & Lois today:
We are still in the Marquesas. Have been here for 14 days now and expect to fuel today and depart this wee harbour tomorrow. This harbour is exposed to the trade winds and there is a constant swell that can be rather annoying.
When we left Papeete Lois was quite ill. At first we thought she had lost her sea legs! But after two days she continued to deteriorate. We realised she was suffering from some kind of "heat exhaustion". Increasing her salt and electrolyte intake improved things considerably over the next few days. Our trip here was on the nose all the way and we motor sailed the last two days to get access to medical facilities.
The first blood test showed her “white cell” count was way down. But by this time she was very much better. The doctor here decided to repeat the procedure but this time had the analysis done in Papeete. Meantime he provided advice about diet etc. We received the results back on Saturday. Things had improved and the doctor gave us clearance to leave. It is Tuesday morning here. We are in the back of beyond that we have been able acquire most things we need. The village here is what you would expect. Everything takes an age but we get there in the in the end. We do have cell phone coverage... Amazing! On shore we can get Internet access. We have repaired the Mizzen.
Our refrigeration failed in Papeete. Fortunately the person we located was extremely competent. The high-pressure capillary to the pressure switch had fractured and in addition one of the collection vessels had corroded through at the base. Water (condensation) was accumulating at the base causing the corrosion. All working well now.
On Sunday we climbed up to a grotto fed by a beautiful waterfall 500 metres above the end of road entry point to swim in cool water. What a walk/climb. It took a couple of hours to reach in 30+ degrees. We were taken by our French Doctors (husband and wife). The beer and champagne we carried was a great but welcome surprise to our hosts.
After we had done the last minute things here we will go around the other side of the Island to a bay that is very clear and protected. Probably stay there for a couple of days before setting off on the largest leg of our voyage to Panama.
It is unlikely that we will do the Mississippi bit. We have been advised that the river is a mess and of course New Orleans is not what it used to be. Also the intra-coastal waterway will not accommodate vessels of our draft. We will have to sail up the east coast of the USA to New York from Florida.
Give our regards to all
Received from Terry & Lois today:
We are still in the Marquesas. Have been here for 14 days now and expect to fuel today and depart this wee harbour tomorrow. This harbour is exposed to the trade winds and there is a constant swell that can be rather annoying.
When we left Papeete Lois was quite ill. At first we thought she had lost her sea legs! But after two days she continued to deteriorate. We realised she was suffering from some kind of "heat exhaustion". Increasing her salt and electrolyte intake improved things considerably over the next few days. Our trip here was on the nose all the way and we motor sailed the last two days to get access to medical facilities.
The first blood test showed her “white cell” count was way down. But by this time she was very much better. The doctor here decided to repeat the procedure but this time had the analysis done in Papeete. Meantime he provided advice about diet etc. We received the results back on Saturday. Things had improved and the doctor gave us clearance to leave. It is Tuesday morning here. We are in the back of beyond that we have been able acquire most things we need. The village here is what you would expect. Everything takes an age but we get there in the in the end. We do have cell phone coverage... Amazing! On shore we can get Internet access. We have repaired the Mizzen.
Our refrigeration failed in Papeete. Fortunately the person we located was extremely competent. The high-pressure capillary to the pressure switch had fractured and in addition one of the collection vessels had corroded through at the base. Water (condensation) was accumulating at the base causing the corrosion. All working well now.
On Sunday we climbed up to a grotto fed by a beautiful waterfall 500 metres above the end of road entry point to swim in cool water. What a walk/climb. It took a couple of hours to reach in 30+ degrees. We were taken by our French Doctors (husband and wife). The beer and champagne we carried was a great but welcome surprise to our hosts.
After we had done the last minute things here we will go around the other side of the Island to a bay that is very clear and protected. Probably stay there for a couple of days before setting off on the largest leg of our voyage to Panama.
It is unlikely that we will do the Mississippi bit. We have been advised that the river is a mess and of course New Orleans is not what it used to be. Also the intra-coastal waterway will not accommodate vessels of our draft. We will have to sail up the east coast of the USA to New York from Florida.
Give our regards to all
posted by Alpha Crucis at 1:04 AM
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