North Easter Blows (Update 20)
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Update from Colin Philp
Onboard Uto Ni Yalo

Time: 0345 Tahiti Time (Friday Morning)
Position: 29*11.4'South/153*27.6'West
Distance Travelled: 1953 Nautical Miles
Distance to Raivavae: 447 Nautical Miles North East

Bula Viti kei Rotuma

As I write this report, the wind is 20 knots gusting 28 knots from the North
East. This is not allowing us to head directly towards our destination of
Raivavae so we are heading to the West of the island in anticipation of
North West and Westerly winds in 36 - 48 hours time due to a Low Pressure
system North of us.

We are currently on a Starboard Tack (wind from the right hand side)
steering a course of 340 degrees True (over the ground). The swell is 2 - 3
metres with a nasty wind chop but nothing like what we experianced a few
nights ago when we had over 45 knots from the South.

At least the North Easterly winds are warmer and there were no penguins on
deck this morning (thats a joke).

At midnight tonight we were just under 20 nautical miles ahead of Te Matau a
Maui with Hine Moana and Marumaru Atua about 15 miles behind us.

At a little after midnight we put a reef in the Mizzen to try and slow us
down a little. Six hours earlier at 1800 hours we had put one reef in the
Mainsail as a precaution for the night and also to slow us down some.

Yesterday morning we had to relash our Uli (steering paddle) which had
worked loose due to the hardwood swivel pin (pivot point) wearing into the
softer timber of the paddle. The paddle was badly twisted to one side making
steering very difficult. We have already devised a way to fix this once we
arrive in Raivavae.

Relashing the steering paddle is very tricky. For one the paddle is needed
for steering so the only solution is to either stop or trim the sails so
that the canoe is steering a straight course which is what we did while we
worked on the paddle.

Then the paddle needs to be lashed down while we are working as large waves
would try and throw the paddle up in the air while we were working on it.

Eventually we got the paddle nice and straight and relashed tightly. The
entire process took us 35 minutes - that's a long time to be "up a creek
without a paddle!".

It will probably take us at least 3 more days to get to our destination but
this depends entirely on how the winds are over the next few days.

Here is the little information I have been able to gather on Raivavae:

Located at 23 degrees 52' Latitude South and 147 degrees 40' Longitude West.
The island is 8.5km long and 2.3km wide.
The 1996 census counted 1,049 people on the island. The island was under the
rule of the Pomare family until 1842, when it became part of the French
Protectorate, and it was annexed to France in 1890.

The island is surrounded by a fringing reef and several motu.

Agriculture - They grow traditional crops of taro, tarua, manioc, sweet
potatoes amd bananas and raise cattle, pigs and goats.

Air and Maritime Service - Two ships service the island a couple of times a
month. An airstrip was being constructed to open in the early 2000's but I
am not certain this is in operation.

There are no banks or ATM's on the island but luckily we bought some Pacific
French Francs with us to be able to buy the essentials like bread, fresh
fruits and vegetables.

The island also holds strong cultural significance:
Raivavae's ancient name is Havaiki raro i te Po, one of the several
"Havaiki" (Hawai'i, Sava'i...), there is a link with Tapu tapu Atea of
Raiatea and the one in Rarotonga.  It is thus a cultural gate of entry ,
Raiatea also called Havaiki raro will be our point of departure.

Raivavae is known to be one of the few last places where wooden waka's are
still built with ancient techniques.  Faafaite will pay respect to the men
that still hold (not for long) this knowledge and practices.

Traditional sailing canoes were still being used there in the 1970's. The
main marae of Raivavae is linked to the whales, Whale bones are found under
its ground: it said that it was a gift from the gods.

Furthermore, it is the place of origin of Hiro Mata Atua, a deified man who
sailed throughout the islands with his fleet of vakas.  We find traces of
his steps throughout the islands all the way to Hawai'i (Hilo bay)

The population of Raivavae is known to be one of the most natural, (the
airport there was built in 2005), and they are currently getting ready to
welcome the fleet in a simple but very warm way.

Obviosuly, once we reach Raivavae we will be able to send and publish a lot
more shots on our website www.fijivoyaging.com, so keep checking back for
that.

Until my next report.

Vinaka vaka levu
Colin/Uto ni Yalo

Report by Satellite Phone courtesy of DIGICEL

Experiences from the crew.
Today's featured crew member: Mohammed Saiyaz Hussein

As a seaman, this is one of the most historic journeys I have ever taken and
it is one I will never forget. Being a Fijian-muslim, I’m proud to represent
my Indian-muslim brothers so that they don’t feel left out because they are
part of this journey through me. Also the reason i joined this epic voyage
is to revive the tradition from my mother’s side. Through this journey i’ve
learned a lot from using stars, sun, wind and the waves that can guide you
from one place to another. As a crew member of the Uto Ni Yalo, this journey
will be forever in my heart along with the other crews that are travelling
with us. Last but not least i would like to thank my family - especially my
mom and dad and my brothers and sisters for supporting me to be able to go
on this journey. With their prayers and the prayers of the people of Fiji
this journey is a success in my heart. Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu and
Asalaam-Alaikum to all.

About Mohammed Saiyaz Hussein
Born: CWM Hospital, Suva
Mother: Mere Yabaki, Totoya, Lau
Father: Mohammed Hussein, Fijian Muslim
Education: Suva Muslim College
Work Experience: Fisherman - Canadian Trawler