Alone in the jungle - Blog by Frederik
I want to tell you how it was for me to walk two hours straight to see the world’s third highest waterfall in the jungle. I never actually made it all the way, only halfway. Unfortunately I had to turn around, because the trail was so difficult, and I didn't want to continue on after dark. Still it was so beautiful. I got some amazing pictures of the waterfall from a distance, and the trip through the rain forest was also great.
It was funny to think that we had bought so much fruit at the market this morning, and here I was walking in the jungle finding endless amounts of mango, coconuts, bananas and other fruits. The locals I met by the edge of the rain forest were incredibly welcoming and talkative. They probably don't have a lot of visitors. Also they laughed a bit when I said I was going to do the trail by myself. They were asking where my wife was, and when I said she was on the other side of the planet, they laughed again. I miss her a lot, and also my two kids.
To get to the waterfall we had anchored up in this hypnotizing bay. If I ever won the lotto, I'd bye a little house here and a water plane. It was like stepping into a meditative world – listening to meditation music transports you into a place exactly like this. The sounds of water, leaves, the baking sun and the rippling river made it feel like a dream world of unspoiled nature.
Now we are on the way to Fakarava, where the water visibility should be incredible – another milestone on this adventurous voyage. I am still intrigued by our ongoing crossing of the Pacific. We are now on the second part of the crossing, sailing from one beautiful beach to the other, after finishing the first and longest leg.
Still, I am really looking forward to a fresh water shower when I get home. I haven't had a shower in fresh water since the Galapagos. That's more than a month!
However, being back on the water is great. I had actually started longing for it. Reaching Nuku Hiva was fantastic, but it didn't take very long before I felt ready to get going again. It's not like you want the trip to end quickly or anything, it's more the pull of all the things you know you have coming.
It would seem like the ship has restored some of its strength. After we have been to port, people are back on top after the long crossing, and everyone is really involved again. The atmosphere is great, and people are in good spirits although we miss Peter.
By the way, it's amazing how much you can forget even though you are five people writing a shopping list! You would probably remember more, if you wrote it alone. Fortunately we got plenty of fresh fruit and canned foods.
Keep your head high honey, I am coming home. Love you!
Report from Bosun Bertram:
Motoring south at a heading of 214 degrees with very little wind. Things are calm out here and both sun shades are up to keep the cockpit bearable. It is amazing how quickly our crew got back into the routine of day and night sailing with the everlasting watch schedule to stick to.
We've got another two days ahead of us before we are at the entrance of the atoll of Fakarava. Hopefully more wind will come, as we are eager to show Mikkel how skilled we have become with the big symmetric spinnaker.
Local time onboard is 10:45 and our current location is 11,41.57S , 141,59.91W