Hi Everyone, This is a little out of sequence but thought we would at least post a blog that we are fine here in Ouvea, New Caledonia. We were in a very shallow anchorage with a fleet of about 30 boats that are with the ICA rally that we had joined in Vanuatu for the trip here. Early in the morning we were notified that one of the boats in the fleet had received a text message that there had been a large earthquake in Samoa and that we were to be on a tsunami watch. The waves were supposed to hit in an hour and a half. Since being in deep water is the safest place to be in a tsunami, we all picked up anchor and headed out a pass which was about a mile away into deep water. The French here in New Caledonia kept us in touch with what was going on and after the warning was canceled, we all headed back into the anchorage again. We didn't even see a ripple here but it is better to be safe than sorry. We haven't gotten a lot of news but from what we have heard it is not good for the people of Samoa. We then remembered that our friends, Glenn and Sally on the Dorothy Marie were in Samoa and we were anxious to hear from them. Here is the email that they sent us. I'm sure they won't mind us posting it on our blog. ---------- Hi there! We are safe and sound in the marina at Apia, Samoa. Yesterday was a bit terrifying and we are so saddened by the loss of life and such utter destruction to this beautiful island, but at the same time feeling so thankful that the both of us and the boat are fine.

We were still dozing in bed when the 7.9 quake started, but it lasted long enough for us to fully wake up, realize what was happening, throw on clothes, and get topside - and still it rumbled. Neither of us can remember ever feeling a quake quite that strong or one that lasted as long. A quake on the boat feels a bit different than on land - more of a jumping than a rolling rumble. Everyone in the marina was topside and wondering how long it was going to last - it seems usually by the time you realize what it is and start to act, it's over. Not the case this time. We were very happy when it finally stopped and went back down to try to catch another few minutes of shut-eye when alarms started ringing. At first we thought it was just sirens on emergency vehicles responding to the quake, but then the tsunami alarm went off - no misunderstanding that sound! We again threw clothes back on and Glen had the engine started and was starting to throw dock lines when we realized it was too late. The water was receding so fast, there was no way we could have gotten our boat out. A catamaran was the only yacht that made it out. A man from the port authority was running down the dock yelling for everyone to evacuate. Now, we have a ditch bag ready in case we should ever have to abandon the boat at sea, but hadn't ever thought of putting one together for ditching to land! I grabbed the camera and we both grabbed shoes and jumped off, but then went back for the computer, our paperwork file, passports, and wallet. It was hard to think what all to grab. Everyone was running off the dock and joining the people in the street - the police were making announcements to head for higher ground. All we could think of were the horrible pictures of what had happened in Sri Lanka. The thought of how "it" had all started with the water receding was flashing in our minds. It was very scary and we couldn't help but think, this really can't be happening to us. We ran and ran up the street trying to find out where we should go. When we got to the Aggie Grey Hotel, a man out front welcomed us in and told us to head for the 3rd floor. The stairwell was crowded and extremely hot because it is enclosed in glass. Everyone from the lower floors were already on the 3rd floor as well. We made our way through the crowd and were trying to find a view out so we could see the marina. A nice couple on holiday from New Zealand invited us into their room and we all stood out on the balcony watching the water in the harbor recede to the point it was dry, then rush back in with waves crashing on the seawall. It was at that point we realized if there really was a "big one" the third floor was not going to be high enough, but there was no where else to go. We just kept standing there with our new kiwi friends and watched. There were times when it seemed like it must be over - the water in the harbor went calm, but within a minute or so, it would start it's mad rush back out, then in again. Luckily our cell phone was in my little backpack I had grabbed and it surprised us when it started ringing. How wonderful to hear Darlene's voice on the other end - a very comforting feeling. We hadn't heard any "official" news, so it was great to hear about the magnitude and the epicenter of the quake. Unfortunately, when we got the new SIM card here in Samoa, it wiped out all of our saved numbers, so we had no way to call anyone else - sorry!

We stayed on the 3rd floor of Aggie Grey's for about an hour and a half, then they announced breakfast was being served downstairs - yeah!!! We noticed quite a bit of damage (cracks) on the walls in the hotel as we made our way down. They still wouldn't allow us to leave the hotel and go back down the road to the boat, but at least they felt it was safe enough to go to the ground floor. It was a pricey breakfast buffet, but we joined in anyway. Poor Glen hadn't managed to get a shirt on before leaving the boat and there were a few odd looks that he was dining half dressed, but then there were people wandering around in their pajamas as well, so no worries! After another hour or so, we made a break for it and headed back to the boat. The warning had not yet been canceled, but the waters had calmed and we felt we would be safe. It was such a good feeling to see that all the boats in the marina were fine. We had two fenders pop from the boat hitting so hard against them and the dock, when the surge was so high, but no real damage.

It is now 5 hours since the first rumble of the quake and the warning has just now been canceled. You guys at home probably know a lot more of the facts than we do, but this is what we know so far.... three people were killed in a village close to the airport here on 'Upolu (the main island of Samoa) and the airport has been closed. In American Samoa, boats sitting on moorings in 30 feet of water touched bottom when the water receded from the PagoPago harbor, but from what we have heard, there were no losses. The airport there had spray from crashing waves flying up onto the runway - 300 feet up! The southern sides of both Samoa and American Samoa have been hit harder than the northern sides (where we are!). There were tsunami warnings going out as far as Hawaii and it was expected that New Zealand may be hit as well. We cannot get internet to get more info. This is just what we have heard on the local radio. We hope there haven't been any other casualties and or major property damage. We also hope we never have to go through anything like this again! :)

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Today, Wednesday, it is thought there are over 100 fatalities and there are lots more missing. Several villages were completely wiped out - you wouldn't even believe the devastation. American Samoa got hit hard as well and we heard one cruiser died - was washed overboard and drowned. Not sure the name of the boat - his wife was below and is okay, but the boat has some damage and she had to search for him. Found him in the morgue - can't even imagine.

We were evacuated to higher ground again yesterday late-afternoon. An aftershock set off another warning and even the NZ Orion was radio-ing another set of waves may hit. There was no sign of the water receding this time though, so we weren't as worried and haven't heard about any more destruction as a result. We're VERY happy to have had a quiet night, although we had everything ready to go just in case.

Sorry this got so long - Glen always says I can take a short story and make it long! Anyhow, we want to thank everyone for thinking of us. We so miss you guys and wish we were there with you! :) Big hugs, Glen and Sally