We arrived in Fakarava after a 2 day sail from Moorea...on one tack! wow. Went through the North Pass at 06:30 and saw a LOT of boats, 30+ in all. What a difference a year makes an of course, most are stuck in FP like us due to COVID. Christmas Day weather was much better here this year than last when we postponed for a day. After Christmas many boats began to depart and we are now down to about 12 as I write this.

After a few days on Dec. 30, we decided to head up to the North West "Dead End Pass" for New Years on Taou Atoll, actually our original destination when we left Moorea. It was a quick sail and we arrived in just 6 hours. After examining 3 different mooring we took one. We ran 2 anchor alarms and a track on the chart plotter the whole time. On New Years Eve the family at the Pension (bed and breakfast type thing) got in their boat and left so we had the whole place to ourselves for the duration. After day 3 we decided to head around to the SE pass and started off but once we go underway we realized we we not getting the winds we needed to arrive in good light (to miss the coral bommies) so we turned around and went back. This time we anchored in about 10' of pure sand with no coral heads, something that is not common around here.

We returned to Fakarava on January 5th taking a leisurely sail around the south side of the Atoll where is is mostly barrier reef and few islets. (Motus)

A few days later we had a opportunity to head to the Marquesas but after 25 miles in confused seas and not making great headway, I decided to turn around. It was not a pleasurable sail with confused seas to 3+ meters from 2 directions. Made good time back to Fakarava though. You can read more on that in our "Mini Blog" that is now part of our "Tracking" with predict Wind. Using the Iridium Go Satellite connection I can send short text only messages as we sail. Photos on that can only be uploaded with a "real WFI" connection.

So today we were getting ready to depart for Toau Atoll SE pass to spend a few days but as I got off the phone speaking with my Grandkids and Birthday wishes, I looked out and we had friends Guy and Yvonne on Nuwan 2 anchoring right beside us after an overnight sail from Ahe Atoll. Guess we are staying to catch up. We are in no rush to go anywhere these days.