So, what have we been up to? 

Well, it is always a bit of an adjustment when we arrive in a new port, hardly any time left to write a logbook for instance. But this time it was an even bigger adjustment. Setting sail from Rangirao, French Polynesia, it took us 14 days to cross to Hawaii. A beautiful crossing, with a trade wind that blew us right through the area where one could expect doldrums. Our traditional Neptune dive into the ocean, was not possible as our speed never got under the 5 knots! 

And then we started seeing the islands. Between Hawaii the big Island and Oahu, where Honolulu is situated, we had 180 miles to go. So that part should have eased us into being close to land once again. But it did not prepare us for the big, big city that Honolulu is! Instead of one lane roads, small Magazin shops, easy going “Iaorana” saying people and nobody being in any kind of a hurry. We were suddenly heading for a coastline with skyscrapers, high rise buildings, big roads, busy car traffic and Aloha saying people. 

To enter the USA, we had to clear in the ship and our crew on board, which was done on the morning following our arrival. The day we arrived, by chance was a public holiday. So, we spend a nice evening on board, not leaving the ship, so adjusting step by step. 

The clearing in process was very smooth. By noon we were done and out shopping for fresh produce. Which was an experience on its own. 

To further slowdown the arrival and adjusting process, we all agreed on heading out one more night, spending it at anchor. So back on board at 14:30 and clearance to leave the harbor at 14:45. We headed out, into the wind, towards Koko head. But as the anchorage was too close to coral, we decided to turn around and set sail, making our way to Waikiki beach down wind, for a sunset dinner. At Waikiki beach we found a sand patch and had a beautiful night at anchor. Early in the morning the current started to turn us around and we had to pick up anchor, as not to scrape any of the coral. 

We drifted for a few hours, while we swam, went snorkeling at the Turtle canyon and then headed into the harbor for the last evening alongside. We had a nice quiet evening. Easy going, reminiscing on the past month and sharing one last, “would you rather”. 

Next morning it was time to say goodbye, we prolonged the goodbye’s as best we could. Not just to the Expedition Crew, but we were also saying goodbye to one of our permanent crew. Tinke sailed with us from Tenerife all the way South and back North again. Her next adventure starts Monday and so that afternoon we send her off home! Good luck Tinke and thank you so so so much for everything! Your smiles and hard work are missed on board! 

Between Thursday and today we got busy on familiarizing our new crew, did some work on the rigging, replaced lines, dynema splicing, winch greasing, getting our mainsail off and the repaired one back on again. And of course, big shopping for our next leg! Tim, who sailed with the Tecla in 2019, stopped by and offered to help us out with the shopping! Which was amazing. With 4 cars filled at Costco we headed (very carefully as the shopping was in the open back of the ute) back to the harbor and had all our groceries done in one go! Thank you again and again Tim!! 

We spend one more night in Honolulu and set of for Kaua’I, Waimea bay. A place where we could anchor without disturbing the coral. But a nasty South swell had started to role in. So we stayed on board, did our last bits of cleaning up and tidying up and today we set sail. Off we go! 

The weather looks good for the first few days, North East trade wind and off we go. After the high pressure area just 500 miles North of us, we will head into the low pressure latitudes, should get interesting with sail handling.  

All well on board, Jet