Uto Ni Yalo - Update 3
print this page

Report From Colin Philp – Onboard the Uto Ni Yalo via Sat Phone
Fiji Time : 1030, 31 March 2010
27º12’00”S 175º02’00”E

Large ocean swells up to 5 metres high continue to rock the Uto Ni Yalo and the wind remains strong, blowing an average of 30 knots, and kicking up a lot of spray with every wave as we continue our crossing of the South Pacific to New Zealand

But the good news is that we are all feeling much better and everyone is up and about – even Moala Junior who seemed to be suffering from seasickness the most, is back on his feet and helping out once more.

Currently we are heading for Cape Reigna, the very top of New Zealand. But we will soon alter course when the approaching High pressure system forces the wind to change and we will have to veer South East. Right now though we are making great time and continue to travel over 20 nautical miles during each 3 hour watch.

Should everything continue to go this well, we hope to hit land on Saturday Morning at Opua Port – about 200km North of Auckland – and this is where we plan to clear customs and immigration. Once we have cleared customs (and everyone has had a proper shower!) we will then continue on to Auckland, which will take another day.

Last night was the first night that it started to get really cold, I even had to use a sleeping bag below deck. Everyone is very nervous about the cold waters when we get closer to New Zealand, especially when we have to wash using sea water.

Some of the crew have complained that they are missing having a mix each evening but the current heaving seas make it impossible to keep any of the kava in the tanoa! Just this morning Rupeni tried to cook a 72 egg omelette for breakfast but a massive wave hit us and we lost 36 eggs overboard! Otherwise the meals have been great thanks to our sponsors. The breakfast crackers from FMF have come in handy as have the eggs from Ram Sami (as long as we don’t continue to lose them overboard!) For lunch we are having Chili Chicken and Dalo with the chicken pieces from Crest. And of course a big vinaka to the Fiji Times for the satellite phone that is keeping us in contact with everyone.

We haven’t had to use the generator at all – our solar panels have kept our satellite phone charged as well as our navigation lights on throughout the nights as well as a light for the compass. And this is despite the fact that we have had less than one hour of sunshine each day with constant grey skies. Hopefully the approaching High pressure system will bring some sunshine.

Finally, we have been receiving your messages posted on fijivoyaging.com and they have been very motivating for all the crew (particularly the get well messages for Vili and Junior), so thank you.

Moce mada.