15aug, Port Louis, Mauritius
Miljoner saker ska göras inför resan till Madagaskar. Vi förväntar oss inte kunna få något större gjort eller köpt där. Båten väger nu säker 13ton i.s.f. sina vanliga 12 och provianteringen är stuvad högt och lågt, undrar bara var hela sexmannabesättningen ska ta vägen....
Nu har vi pratat med alla vi känner, läst all litteratur vi kommer åt och det finns inte längre något tvivel; man SKA gå så nära Cape Amber på nordspetsen så att man nästan kan vidröra land. Det känns pirrigt i magen för just runt udden, där det grundar upp, toppar de stora vågorna till sig och blir branta. Det sägs att man ska surfa med vågorna i ryggen och hålla tungan i rätt mun och efter ett tag (okänt hur länge) blir havet helt platt. Hmmmmm.
Vakthållningen ombord kommer att bli rena drömmen med vår sex man starka besättning, för att inte tala om mathållningen när alla kan hjälpas åt :) Det är drygt 700nm till norra Madagaskar, ca fem dygns segling med vinden i ryggen och en väderprognos som säger ca 15-18 knops vind och 3m vågor till Cape Amber sedan lär det pipa i vid själva udden. Enligt andra långseglare kan man stanna och lägga ankare i en obebodd vik efter rundningen av Cape Amber och pusta ut före man fortsätter mot Nosy Be. Det tänker vi också göra.
På återseende från Nosy Be/Hellvile!
Millions of things to do before the trip to Madagascar. We do not expect to get anything done or bought there. We´re sure the boats now weighs 13ton in stead of 12. The provisions are packed high and low, we just wonder where we´ll fit the six man crew ....
Now we've spoken to everyone we know, read all the literature we can access and there is no longer any doubt: you WILL go so near Cape Amber on the northern tip so that you can almost touch land. It feels nervous because just around the headland, the big waves tops up and becomes steep. It is said that one should surf with the waves in the back and after a while (unknown period) the sea becomes completely flat. Hmmmmm, we´ll see about that!
A new installation; when Ambika in a lot below the sea (!) we get a little water comming from the mast foot (?) heading for the instrument panel in the saloon, dripping wery slowly on the regulators placed there. Of all places.... But that is in the past, because now Lars has made a new thick rubber construction to prevent water from beeing pressed in. Super! We hope!
We are also equipped with a "Merlin Spike" handmade by Bo Ronn, who watched our Ambika while we were away. And it´s made from, you gessed right, a Blue Merlin sword! We can make a splice and undo any knot, come what may! A truly unique gift, thank you Bo! On top of that List and Bo gave a Rhum bottle with hand"knitted" cover on. Yet another unique gift!!!! From now on we´ll only drink Creole Coffé; Coffe, rhum, vanilla and cream, yummie!
This is the endemic Dodo bird, long since extinct. Eaten up man man! A big bird (about 20kg) without flying skills and apparently very tasty. Dodo pics are found on many souvenirs, like this on a Rhum bottle :)
Wonderful to meet "old" sailing friends again, meet Irene and Rolf from "Ketoro" bound back to S.A. where they live. Hope to see you in Cape Town!!!!
Caudian Waterfront, at the marina, is also a place for romance. Many youngsters sit tight together, courting. It is said that this is the most romantic site at the island..... We wonder how that is possible :)
This little big fish is called "Capitain". Appropriate?
Flic en Flac on the west coast has nice long beaches and beautiful old style resorts
Lars with Rashid, our (and all yachties) taxi driver. He will also help with many other tasks, just ask... :)
Petra arrives after a looong extra night at Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport..
Then the rest of the crew arrived, here is Ruby, making sallad with Petra. Guess who made lunch for everyone...
... and who helped the Captain to varnish the spinnaker poles. Right, the guys (Marcus and Victor). I rest my case! But believe me, everyone will have to help out in the pentry as soon as we have cast off :)
In Swedish: Då blir det andra bullar :D
Only the captain is missing in the picture. WE ARE READY TO GO!!! Last evening i Mauritius :)
From the left: Marcus, Victor, Petra, Ruby and undersigned.