SUV-AUK LEG Daily diary 18/3/11 (Update 13)
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Diary from the Uto ni Yalo by Harold Tapu
Friday 18th, March 2011
0600 hrs position
Latitude – 33 degrees 52.2’ (S) Longitude – 174 degrees 24.2’ (E)
Course - 180(T)
Speed - 3.5knots
Wind – North West @ 5knots
Cloud - 6/8
Leaving family back home obliges one to search or find family, not necessarily family of blood but ones of love, you know what I mean, the love of a family for his son etc…I guess what I’m trying to say is that, departure from Lami 6 days ago with a group of unknowns is well and truly behind us now.
This unique group of individuals have not only helped me find my sea legs but I think it’ll be fair to say that they like me enough not to eat me on our journey… hahahaha.I now know all their names and I respect each and every one of them. There’s a saying that goes: to earn one’s respect, you must show respect. With open arms, they’ve embraced me as one of their own and in stormy weather at sea, their alertness and reactions in unison is quite remarkable given the short time they’ve had to prepare for this journey. It’s almost as if they’re saying ‘you can snore easy big guy, nothing is going to happen on my watch’.
From top to bottom (meaning me, because I’m the least experienced) the crew of the Uto Ni Yalo have a very special ingredient that gels them together and I have had the privilege to witness it and be part of it and that is their trust in each other, their purpose and their God. As we approach New Zealand, it is in many ways for me a sad leg of the journey because it could be the last time I get to travel and see them, if you get my drift. In comparision, a plane ride will never measure up to this ever, not in a million nautical miles.Well I don’t want to go through the crew one by one but I do have to say that our skipper ‘Johnathan Smith’ has balls of steel and that’s probably why he has back problems. The boys and the girls of the Uto Ni Yalo, you’re all heros in my book and I Love You All Dearly From The Bottom Of My Heart. Remember all your loved ones waiting for you to return safely, so Good Luck and God speed.

Vinaka Vaka Levu!
The Prodical Son Harold Tapu
*Harold is a dear friend (and top-notch clown and story teller) of the Uto ni Yalo gang. This legend of a man was fortunate to spend his more formative days in FIji (while his dad was serving as a minister), otherwise he wouldn't have been half as intelligent as he is. Of genuine laughing Samoan stock, this falla speaks Queens Fijian so be careful of what FIjian may be said in his presence - especially if you're in Auckland, where he lives.