Day 99 – January 29
Because of the 2 knot current overnight we drifted 22 miles and I awoke to see the southern tip of New Ireland just outside my porthole.
With no wind in sight, we bobbed around most of the day. When the winds finally picked up at 3pm we sailed them where they took us which was east at first and then south (we need to go northeast to reach Micronesia). Looks like we might just make it to Buka on the island of Bougainville which claims to have the blackest people on the planet.
Day 100 – January 30
Overnight the winds shifted unfavorably and we decided that our only option was to head back in the direction we had just sailed “100” nautical miles from. As depressing as it was we tried to come up with alternate plans for getting ourselves past the islands of Papua New Guinea and into the great Pacific Ocean headed for Micronesia.
Luckily in the later part of the day the winds shifted in our favor and even though they were light they were getting us to where we wanted to be – on the eastern side of New Ireland. When I went on my night watch at 2am it was dead calm and quiet. I could hear dolphins coming up for a breath of air nearby. Soon they were swimming and jumping alongside the boat. Just what was needed to keep me awake and entertained!
Day 101 – January 31
Somehow we found the countercurrent to the current that was pushing us south in St. George’s Channel a few days ago. Now we were being pushed NE. Perfect!! This is just what we needed.
Becky and I have a bet going on the actual day that we will arrive in Micronesia. I say February 9th (which is 9 days from today) and she says the 14th.
Since there was very little wind overnight we decided to hove to and drift NE with the current in hopes of making it to the nearby Feni Island or the Green Islands. Just before I went to bed I heard splashing at the bow of the boat … it was dolphins visiting again!
Day 102 – February 1
Great morning wind let us sail directly to Nissan Island, part of the Green Islands. Nissan Island is an oval shaped island with a big lagoon in the center. After anchoring, a few local villagers canoed out to trade produce. Lettuce in particular was a wonderful surprise so I made a great salad that night. It’s not often we have fresh greens onboard.
Day 103 – February 2
From sunrise to sundown we had a constant flow of villagers in canoes (mostly kids) bearing produce in exchange for secondhand clothing. By the end of the day we had more than we could possibly eat. It was amazing to see how generous they were. They even invited us to their village which was a treat for both us and them.
Day 104 – February 3
Rain… Rain… all day it rained off and on so much that we were able to fill up our water tanks and do our laundry. The rest of the day was spent doing a few last minute boat projects in preparation for sailing across the Pacific Ocean.
Day 105 – February 4
Incredible sight! Upon leaving Green Island we set out the fishing lines and immediately hooked a big eye tuna. But before we could reel it in, two 6-foot grey sharks attacked the tuna, leaving us with only the head. Afterwards you could see the sharks swimming under the boat. A little bit scary!
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